Infinitive and Gerund

INFINITIVE AND GERUND


INFINITIVE
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To learn English is good for our future.
To live means to struggle.
It is very difficult to please everybody.
It was dangerous to tease that lion.
Her hope is to study overseas.
His work then was to cook meals for
everybody.


INFINITIVE
Functions of infinitives?


INFINITIVE
Often infinitives are used after many verbs.
What are their functions then?
• Afford: He can’t afford to enter that
restaurant.
• Agree: We agreed to lend him some
money.

• Appear: Thomas appears to be tired.
• Arrange:
They arranged to have a
party the next day.


GERUND
• Jogging makes us strong.
• Working for you is my pleasure.
• It is no use discussing that problem with
him.
• It is no good discussing that problem with
him.
• Seeing is believing.
• To keep money that you have found is
stealing.


GERUND
Functions of Gerund?


GERUND
Often gerunds are used after many verbs.
What are their functions then?
- Avoid: The debtor avoided meeting the
lender.
- Enjoy: The farmer enjoys sipping wine.
- Finish: Tom finished doing his homework.
- Mind: Would you mind holding the door

open?


INFINITIVE OR GERUND
• Try:
- He tries to learn English.
- He tries tasting new food.


INFINITIVE OR GERUND
• Remember, forget, regret, …
- She remembers going to Sai Gon when
she was a little girl.
- She remember to give you some books
when you come.


INFINITIVE OR GERUND
• Stop:
- He stops reading when we arrive.
- He stops to work when the supervisor
arrives.


Exercises:
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1. My friend promised (return) the book very soon.
2. Most people enjoy (write) letters to their friends.
3. Tom avoids (study) his lessons as long as possible.
4. Did you offer (translate) those letters for them?
5. Davis finished (write) the report about four o'clock.
6. How soon do you expect (leave) for South America?
7. Senator Robert refused (eliminate) any of the major points.
8. Have you ever considered (try) something different?
9. Are you going to suggest (travel) by plane or not?
10. Did they promise (reserve) some good seats for us?
11. I would appreciate (hear) from you as soon as possible.
12. They should postpone (leave) for another week or so.
13. I'll need (buy) a new winter overcoat before long.
14. Did the students practise (use) the words in the sentences?

15 Would you mind (wait) for 10 or 20 minutes?
16. We don't dare (suggest) that possibility to them.
17. Why do you always put off (write ) to your friends?
18. Miss Smith hopes (receive) a reply within a few days.
19. Those men deny (know) anything at all about it.
20. Our guests don't plan (leave) until the end of the week.