CHAPTER IV VERBS FOLLOWED BY EITHER GERUNDS OR INFINITIVES
Both gerund and infinitive are part of verb. Gerunds are formed attaching suffix – ing to the verb stem study
→ studying. Infinitives are the simple form of the verb with the word ‘to’ in front on it study
→ to study. Gerund and infinitives are usually followed by another verb. Some verbs can only be followed by a gerund and some
verbs can only followed by infinitive. On the other hand, there are some verbs which can be followed by either gerund or infinitive without changing the meaning, but in
some cases, there are some verbs which change the meaning of the sentence.
4. 1 Verb + Gerund or Infinitive with no Different in Meaning
Following are some verbs after which both the infinitive and the gerund can be used. Usually there is no different in meaning.
+ gerund 1a: It began snowing
1. Begin
+ infinitive 1b: It began to snow
+ gerund 2a: John continue working after midnight
2. Continue
+ infinitive 2b: John continued to work after midnight
+ gerund 3a: Frank hates riding his bicycle to school
3. Hate
+ infinitive 3b: Frank hates to ride his bicycle to school
+ gerund 4a: We like going to the zoo every weekend
4. Like
+ infinitive 4b: We like to go to the zoo every weekend
Universitas Sumatera Utara
+ gerund 5a: I love watching basketball games on TV
5. Love
+ infinitive 5b: I love to watch basketball games on TV
+ gerund 6a: She prefer staying at home on Sunday
6. Prefer
+ infinitive 6b: She prefer to stay at home on Sunday
+ gerund 7a: Susan started talking about her problem
7. Start
+ infinitive 7b: Susan started to talk about her problem
4. 2 Verb + Gerund or Infinitive with Different in Meaning
Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive and indicate different meaning. Using the gerund or infinitive after the verbs depends on the
meaning. + gerund 1a: Forget something that happened in the past.
Example : We will certainly never forget visiting Singapore for
the first time.
1. Forget
+ infinitive 1b: forget to perform a responsibility, a duty or a task.
Example : Mary often forgets putting the files in the correct
order.
+ gerund 2a: Regret something that happened in the past.
Example : I regret lending her some money. She never paid it
back.
2. Regret
+ infinitive 2b: Regret to tell someone, to inform someone of a bad news.
Example : We regret to tell you that you failed the test.
Universitas Sumatera Utara
+ gerund 3a: Remember to do something that might easily forget.
Kategori