Infinitive and gerund

 

Definition

 

An infinitive is the basic form of a verb not associated with a subject or tense.

 

 

Construction

 

Affirmative: 'to' + bare infinitive

 

                     to go

 

Negative:     'not to' + bare infinitive

 

                     not to go

 

                     'to don't go' 

 

 

 

Note that the bare infinitive is the infinitive without 'to': (not) go 

                       

 

 

Uses

 

As a subject	As a complement	As an object
To be on time is important.     Not to be on time is impolite.	The important thing is to be on time.   The important thing is not to be late.	We need to be on time.     We promised not to be late.

 

 

Note that as a subject, the gerund is more common than the infinitive.  

 

 

 

Definition

 

A gerund is a noun formed from a verb - it is the name of an activity or a state.

 

 

Construction

 

Affirmative: bare infinitive + 'ing'

 

going 

 

Negative:     'not' + bare infinitive + 'ing'

 

not going 

 

 

Note that we sometimes have to double the last letter of the verb or remove the 'e' at the end. Here are some examples:

 

swimming	hiking
travelling shopping	dancing filing

 

 

 

Uses

 

As a subject	As a complement	As an object
Being in this team has lots of advantages.   Cycling is good exercise.   Not having any free time is terrible.	What I like about this job is being in a small team.   My favourite sport is cycling.   The best thing about my job is not having a long journey to work.	I love being in this team.     I enjoy cycling.   I hate not having enough free time.