Infinitives Part 2-English Grammar Topics

 Infinitives Part 2-English Grammar Topics

In part 2 of the Infinitives Tutorial, we continue our list of tips on using gerunds and infinitives. We look at ways to modify each form and learn some additional situations in which gerunds and infinitives are required.

Commonly, an infinitive is used with the subject it. The sentence structure is "It is                      + infinitive.…" It refers to the infinitive. This expression is used in many ways.

Infinitives Part 2-English Grammar Topics

• It is time to do math.
• It is common to think that way.
• It is appropriate to keep a low profile.
• It was nice to see you.
• It was my pleasure to meet you.
• It was my honor to have dinner with you.
• It is good to see you.
• It was great to go on a trip with them.

Both gerunds and infinitive phrases can function as nouns, in a variety of ways. Gerunds and infinitives can follow certain verbs but not others. You need to remember which verbs can be followed by only a gerund or only an infinitive.

Read Also: Infinitives Part 1- English Grammar Topics

Verbs that can precede only gerunds:

consider, suggest, enjoy, deny, avoid, miss, mind, practice, postpone, resist, finish, quit, give up, put off

Verbs that can precede only infinitives:

offer, decide, hope, attempt, promise, agree, afford, deserve, refuse, undertake, learn, fail, seem, appear, tend, pretend, choose, demand, desire, guarantee, claim, manage, determine, expect, want, wish

Verbs that can precede either gerunds or infinitives without changing meanings:

continue, like, love, begin, start, propose, neglect, stand, hate

Verbs that can precede either gerunds or infinitives but change meanings:

forget, remember, stop, try

• I stopped watching the movie. (I no longer watched the movie.)
• I stopped to watch the movie. (I stopped what I was doing to watch the movie.)

Read Also : English Grammar Quizzes

Some verbs are followed by a noun plus an infinitive. In some situations, the noun is required. In other situations, the noun is optional. List of Verbs Followed by a Noun + an Infinitive

Examples:

The police ordered the man to stop. noun is required

She asked to leave. noun is optional

She asked him to leave. noun is optional

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Gerunds can often be modified with possessive forms such as his, her, its, your, their, our, John's, Mary's, the machine's, and so on. This makes it clearer who or what is performing the action.

Examples:

I enjoyed their singing. They were singing.

She understood his saying no to the offer. He said no.

Sam resented Debbie's coming late to the dinner. Debbie came late to the dinner.

We discussed the machine's being broken. The machine is broken.

Infinitives Part 2 Quiz

Fill in the blanks.

1)I decided _____________ (leave) the job.

2)She pretended _______________  (know) me.

3)He desires ____________ (be) a professor.

4)The company considered _____________ (sell) its main building.

5)I expect ______________ (win) at this game.

6)Do you enjoy ____________(take) care of your pet?

7)She hopes _____________  (go) on a vacation.

8)Did you fail ______________(pass) the exam?

9)They want me _______________(take) this position.

10)It is great ____________ (hear) that they agreed ______ (share) the land.

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