FOCUS 2: 1.5 Gerunds & Infinitives

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2

GERUNDS & INFINITIVES

verb+ing / to-infinitive

Focus 2 unit 1.5

Do these two sentences have the same meaning?

1. "Stop to buy bread at the supermarket!" his mum yelled.

2. "Stop buying bread at the supermarket!" his mum yelled.

Do these two sentences have the same meaning?

1. "Stop to buy bread at the supermarket!" his mum yelled.

2. "Stop buying bread at the supermarket!" his mum yelled.

GERUND & TO INFINITIVE

to buy is an example of a to infinitive

buying is an example of the gerund

But wait, what's a gerund? 

A gerund is a word that looks like a verb, but is actually a noun.

It looks like this: base form of the verb + ing. So:
buy + ing = buying
fly + ing = flying
shop + ing = shopping
eat + ing = eating

We use the gerund after...

1. ... certain verbs, such as: continue, enjoy, finish, like, love, prefer, remember, start.

2. ... after prepositions, such as: at, in, with, etc.

3. after some expressions, such as: look forward to...

We use the to infinitive after...

1. certain verbs, such as: agree, ask, decide, forget, help, hope, try, want.

Gerund Examples

I started singing when I was 12.

I love shopping!

I am really bad at dancing.

I look forward to seeing you!

To Infinitive Examples

I will ask Jenny to visit her grandmother.

The teacher decided to write on the whiteboard.

Let's practice!

Emily isn't interested in
to play/playing beach volleyball.

1. to play
2. playing

Anna and Charles hope going/to go to a festival this summer.

1. going
2. to go

Oliver is looking forward to
seeing/see his friends on holiday.

1. seeing
2. see

Do you enjoy staying/to stay on a campsite?

1. staying
2. to stay

We'd like going/to go to
Russia next year.

1. going
2. to go

Ben / enjoy / see his friends
/ after school

we / would like /
have a barbecue / today

do / you / want / come /
to the festival / with me

she / always / forget /
use sun cream

they / decide / stay in a hotel /
last night

I love ...... to this city
because it's so exciting!

1. came
2. coming
3. come

This year I've decided .....
my cousins at the summer festival.

1. meet
2. meeting
3. to meet

The festival lasts for 11 days and it's great for people who want ..... something different.

1. to do
2. doing
3. do

I enjoy ..... the sport events, and so far I've seen a BMX competition and a boxing match.

1. watches
2. watch
3. watching

If you prefer ..... sport there are free judo classes every day.

1. does
2. doing
3. do

This afternoon I'm looking forward to ..... the Cuban water ballet team.

1. seeing
2. see
3. to see