THE GERUND

THE GERUND

Present Active Passive

writing being written

Perfect having written having been written

I consider moving to the town.

I considered moving to the town.

He denied having been there.

-it may have its own subject

He resented my/me being promoted.

She insisted on the children doing the washing.

Use:

as a subject

Learning a language is difficult.

as an object after the verbs:

(appreciate, admit, avoid, be busy, consider, deny, delay, detest, dislike, enjoy, escape, excuse, finish, imagine, keep on, mention, mind, miss postpone, practise, recollect, suggest, understand, risk, cant help, cant resist, cant stand, its worth, want, need)

I tried to avoid meeting him.

I can no longer delay writing him.

She is busy preparing for the party.

I appreciate your having lent me the dictionary.

I suggest going.

Do you mind my smoking?

My shoes need/ want cleaning.

Gerund or Infinitive?

a.       propose = intend (Infinitive) I propose to go to London on Wednesday.

= suggest (Gerund) I propose resting for half an hour.

b.      forget, remember, recollect, regret + Infinitive (= simultaneous actions)

+ Gerund (= past actions)

Did you remember/ didnt you forget to post the letter?

I remember posting the letter, but she says, she hasnt received it.

c.       stop + Infinitive = a se opri I stopped to greet him.

+ Gerund = a termina, a impiedica He stopped talking.

He stopped me from listening to the radio.

d.      go + Infinitive Lets go to buy him a present.

+ Gerund Lets go dancing/ shopping/ fishing/ hunting.

e.       try + Infinitive = a incerca I tried to open the door.

+ Gerund = a proba, a experimenta Why didnt you try using a screw-driver?

Verbs + Prepositions

(to succeed in, to apologize for, to complain of/ about, to thank for, to look forward to, to be fed up with, to insist on, to intend on, to object to, to forget about, to worry about, to rely on, to think of/ about, to depend on, to forgive for, to argue about, to approve of, to blame for, to care about, to warn about, to boast of, to dream of, to threaten with, to spend on, to prevent from, to punish for, to inform about, to count on, to feel like, to learn about, to aim at, to hesitate at, to fight / struggle against, to retire from, to believe in, to consist of, to participate in, to decide on, to focus on, to concentrate on)

Im looking forward to meeting him.

She complains about/ of being badly paid.

He succeeded in passing the exam.

She apologized for being late.

Im fed up with learning.

Adjectives + Prepositions

(to be angry, anxious, certain, enthusiastic, happy, optimistic, pleased, sure, worried + about)

(to be astonished, bad, clever, delighted, expert, good, surprised + at)

(to be responsible, sorry, suitable, useful + for)

(to be consistent, correct, experienced, fortunate, helpful, interested, late, quick, slow, successful + in)

(to be afraid, ashamed, aware, certain, convinced, fond, guilty, proud, tired + of)

(to be based, dependent, keen + on)

(to be accustomed, opposed + to)

(to be bored, content, disappointed, happy, satisfied, sick, upset + with)

Nouns + Prepositions

(to have doubts + about)

(to have cause, reason + for)

(to have belief, confidence, delight, difficulty, experience, faith, interest, luck, pride + in)

(to have habit, intention, hope, opportunity + of)

(to have contribution, objection, opposition + to)

Instead of, without, against, in spite of/ despite + Gerund

He stayed at home instead of going for a holiday.

I am against spending so much money.

In spite of/ despite losing a fortune, he is still rich.

Exercises-The Infinitive

Put the verbs in brackets in the right form: the infinitive with to or without to.

a)      Would you (like) (win) the first prize?

b)      I should (like) (visit) the castle.

c)      I expect (meet) my friends in Milan.

d)      They are (arrive) at 8 oclock, but I ought (get) there earlier.

e)      They would (laugh) (see) you with that funny hat on.

f)       This must (be ) the hotel they were talking about.

g)      They (hope) win the race on Sunday.

h)      Do you really think he used (live) here?

i)        I would rather (wait) a few days, they might (phone) us.

j)       Will you (have) enough money (buy) the album?

k)      She made us (work) all morning. Then she let us (go).

l)        Were you able (finish) your work?

m)    I heard her (leave) the house although she didnt want anybody (hear) her.

Put the verbs in brackets into the active or passive infinitive as appropriate:

a)      I expect (see) him soon.

b)      He ought (punish) for what he did.

c)      They are preparing (go) on holiday.

d)      We expect (receive) his letter in a few weeks.

e)      The final examination has (take) by all the students.

f)       The statistics in the report ought (check) very carefully.

g)      The letters which need (answer) immediately are usually put in a special folder.

h)      These books have (return) to the library.

i)        The plant died because she neglected (water) it.

j)       Please give me a vase (put) the flowers in.

Make one sentences out of two using the present or perfect infinitive as appropriate.

a)      Im late. Im sorry.

b)      I have forgotten your book. Im sorry.

c)      Alec passed the exam. He is relieved.

d)      His father will be excited when he sees the examination results.

e)      His grandma has forgotten the date of his exam. She feels embarrassed.

f)       I met Alec yesterday. I was delighted.

Put the verbs in brackets into the required infinitive form. Use the active voice.

a)      The girl pretended (read) the book and not (notice) me.

b)      It is thoughtful of you (book) the tickets well in advance.

c)      He seems (look) for trouble.

d)      It seems (rain) ever since we came here.

e)      How fortunate he is (travel) all over the world and (see) so much of it.

f)       He appears (speak) practically all European languages; he is said (learn) them while travelling.

Rewrite the sentences using negative infinitives:

a)      I dont see Alex here. Im surprised.

b)      I didnt arrive early. Im surprised.

c)      Victor is upset because he hasnt heard from Alice.

d)      I was glad when I didnt see him in the room.

e)      I dont remember your name. Im embarrassed.

f)       My brother was angry after he didnt catch the bus.

g)      He was surprised because he didnt find his ticket in his pocket.

Change the sentences so that infinitive subjects are used after anticipatory IT.

a)      To lie on the beach is relaxing.

b)      To drink cool water is refreshing,

c)      To eat sweets is enjoyable.

d)      To lose weight is difficult.

e)      To exercise takes time.

Complete the sentences with appropriate infinitives:

a)      Its difficult  . a foreign language.

b)      Its necessary .some new words every day.

c)      Its vital speaking English as often as possible.

d)      Its useful books in the original.

e)      Its helpful an English-Romanian dictionary.

f)       Its easy from  English into Romanian.

Insert a prepositional phrase beginning with FOR in each sentence below so that it becomes the subject of the infinitive:

a)      Its necessary to finish the work in time. (for us)

b)      Its difficult to find a solution. (for me)

c)      Its impossible to stop smoking. (for many people)

d)      Its vital to keep a strict diet. (for him)

Practise the pattern: adjective + of + (pro)noun + infinitive:

a) Old Mrs. Green would be brave to buy a new car.

b)      Shed be silly not to learn to drive.

c)      Shed be wise to get somebody to advise her.

d)      Hes nice to offer to help her.

Change the words in the italics to the corresponding pronouns in the Accusative:

a)      The plumber wanted the Browns to turn the water off for a few minutes.

b)      Do you really expect the children to be quiet?

c)      I like my sister to war nice clothes.

d)      Id love Victor to take the photos.

Use the prompts to make sentences on the pattern: verb + accusative + infinitive

a)      teacher/ choose/ an essay

b)      my father/ ask/ his car

c)      my mother/ beg/ kitchen

d)      my brother/ dare/ chess

Change the sentences into the Nominative + Infinitive construction:

a)      They believe that book to be four hundred years old.

b)      We know Mt Everest to be the highest mountain in the world.

c)      Our correspondent reports the situation to be under control.

d)      They estimated the salt mine to have large reserves.

Complete the following sentences with the active or passive infinitive form of the verbs in brackets:

a) (meet) Id like you me at the airport.

Id like our visitors at the airport.

b) (play) The football coach expects Peter in the match tomorrow in spite of his injury.

We expect the match tomorrow in spite of bad weather.

c) (hold) Theyve allowed the meeting

Theyve allowed us the meeting.

Form infinitive constructions:

a)      We heard (clock, strike, two)

b)      The woman was seen (come, out, house)

c)      Please let (I, carry, those parcels, you)

d)      The teacher made (all, students, take, test, again)

e)      Her pulse was felt (beat, quickly)

f)       He had (auto mechanic, change, tyre, his car)

g)      The man was seen (go into, shop)

h)      I heard (they, come in, few minutes, ago)

Complete the sentences using the cues in brackets with TOO or ENOUGH:

a)      Its sometimes (hot/ eat a lot)

b)      My sister isnt (old/ go to school alone)

c)      The water isnt (hot/ make a tea)

d)      The weather is (cold/ go to the beach)

e)      He says he is not (brave/ try surfing)

f)       My bag is (light/ carry on the back of my bike)

Exercises-Gerund

Complete the sentences with negative gerunds:

a)      Bob did not see the film. He regretted

b)      Dont open the window please. Ive got a bad cold. Please, would you mind?

c)      The teacher didnt give us any homework last time. I wonder if she remembers

d)      I didnt stop Simon from falling into the river. I got the blame for

e)      You wont have any further trouble with it. You cant be sure of

f)       I shant see Paula again for a whole year. I dont know how I shall bear

Put the verbs in brackets into the perfect gerund form:

a)      I am still thirsty in spite of (drink) four cups of tea.

b)      Bob didnt return the book he had borrowed in spite of (promise) to do so.

c)      The fishermen went home in the evening without (catch) a single fish.

d)      I cant understand the article in spite of (read) it twice.

e)      She went to bed at 9 p.m. in spite of (sleep) all the afternoon.

Change the infinitive into a gerund:

a)      Its fun to ride a horse.

b)      Its illegal to drive without a licence.

c)      Its dangerous to climb that mountain in winter.

d)      Its difficult to tell people bad news.

Complete the sentences with the gerund of a suitable verb:

a)      Please excuse my late.

b)      I dislike early on Sunday mornings.

c)      Please forgive my the vase.

d)      The job will involve your to different parts of the country.

Complete the sentences using the gerund as a prepositional object:

a)      I got tired of so I went to bed.

b)      Mr. Barton always teaches senior students, he isnt used to

c)      Sandra can speak English quite well, but she isnt very good at

d)      Some little girls are very fond of dolls.

e)      Mr. White is such a truthful man that I dont think hes capable of a lie.

f)       You were so rude yesterday. You ought to be ashamed of

Fill in the blanks with the right prepositions:

a)      Father doesnt approve (study) late at night.

b)      Our teacher objects (use) any different method.

c)      Alice forgot (phone) her friend.

d)      Mr. Parker constantly worries (lose) his position.

e)      You shouldnt rely (get) help from Paul.

f)       Did he finally succeed (sell) his old car?

g)      Why did you insist (do) everything yourself?

h)      We are looking forward(see) our friends next week.

Fill in the blanks with the right prepositions:

a)      He didnt explain his reasons (leave) early.

b)      He has no intention (write) to her.

c)      Theres no excuse (not phone) her.

d)      There is little possibility (find) the ID now.

e)      We have doubts (ask) Monika to help us.

f)       She has shown very little interest (learn) more about this subject.

Complete the sentences with the gerund or infinitive:

a)      Lets invite him. Im sure he would love (come) to our party.

b)      The film was terrifying. I could hardly bear (watch) it.

c)      A truthful person hates (tell) lies.

d)      Ive always loved (act). Id love (see) you on the stage.

e)      Would you like (come) tonight or would you prefer (stay) at home.

f)       Id love (come) with you. Id hate (spend) all the day indoors.

g)      I like (listen) to music, but I dont like (listen) to people talk about it.

h)      We read this book in class last year. Do you remember (read) it?

i)        Tudor forgot (bring) his book, he left it at home.

j)       Why are you late again? Have you forgotten (promise) me that you will never be late again?

k)      The house is old. It badly wants (paint). We wanted (paint) it last month, but father was against it.

l)        Does your car need (wash)? I certainly need (wash) mine.

m)    Stop (ask) silly questions. If you keep on (interrupt) me, Ill send you out of the class.

n)      I advise you (wait) before (make ) a decision.