jueves, 9 de abril de 2015

GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES.




Here is a brief review of the differences between gerunds and infinitives. 
Gerunds are formed with ING:walking, talking, thinking, listening
Infinitives are formed with TO:to walk, to talk, to think, to listen


Gerunds and infinitives can do several jobs: 
Both gerunds and infinitives can be the subject of a sentence::

Writing in English is difficult.
To write in English is difficult.

Both gerunds and infinitives can be the object of a verb::

I like writing in English.
I like to write in English.

BUT...

Only gerunds can be the object of a preposition::

We are talking about writing in English.


It is often difficult to know when to use a gerund and when to use an infinitive. These guidelines may help you:
Gerunds are often used when actions are real, concrete or completed::

I stopped smoking.
(The smoking was real and happened until I stopped.)

Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future::

I stopped to smoke.
(I was doing something else, and I stopped; the smoking had not happened yet.)
   
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