Gerunds and Infinitives as Objects | All You Need to Know

Breaking English
27 Nov 202027:05
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe video script provides an in-depth exploration of gerunds and infinitives in the English language. It begins by defining gerunds as verbs with an 'ing' ending that represent activities and function as nouns. The script clarifies the difference between gerunds and the present continuous tense, emphasizing the importance of context. Gerunds are shown to act as subjects or objects in sentences, and can also follow prepositions. The discussion then shifts to infinitives, which are verb forms starting with 'to' and used as subjects, objects, or after certain nouns and adjectives. The speaker advises against using infinitives as subjects without the word 'it', and instead recommends gerunds or restructured sentences. The video offers a list of verbs that are followed by infinitives, highlighting common verbs like 'agree', 'want', and 'ask'. It also covers verbs that take a noun or pronoun before an infinitive, and those that can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive without a change in meaning. The script concludes with a focus on the use of gerunds as objects of prepositions and the importance of practice through speaking and reading in English to internalize these grammatical structures.

Takeaways
  • πŸ“š A gerund is a verb with -ing that represents an activity and functions as a noun in a sentence.
  • πŸƒ Gerunds can be the subject of a sentence or the object of a verb or preposition.
  • πŸ“ An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by 'to' and can act as a subject or object in a sentence.
  • ❌ Not all verbs can be followed by an infinitive; there is a specific list of verbs that take an infinitive after them.
  • πŸ” Gerunds are often used after certain verbs, and it's important to know which verbs these are to use gerunds correctly.
  • πŸ”‘ Some verbs can take both a gerund and an infinitive, but the meaning can change depending on which is used.
  • πŸ€” The use of 'forget' and 'remember' with gerunds and infinitives indicates whether you're talking about an obligation or an activity.
  • πŸ“‰ Using an infinitive as the subject of a sentence is less common and can sound strange; gerunds are preferred in these cases.
  • πŸ“ˆ Reading and speaking with others is recommended to naturally pick up the correct usage of gerunds and infinitives.
  • πŸ“‹ It's helpful to be aware of common combinations of verbs, nouns, adjectives, and prepositions that are followed by gerunds.
  • πŸš€ While it's good to know the rules, making mistakes is a normal part of learning, and self-monitoring can help improve language use over time.
Q & A
  • What is a gerund and how does it function in a sentence?

    -A gerund is a verb with an 'ing' ending that represents an activity. It functions as a noun in a sentence and can be the subject, object, or come after prepositions. For example, 'swimming' is a gerund when it's the subject of the sentence 'Swimming is my favorite sport.'

  • How is an infinitive different from a gerund?

    -An infinitive starts with 'to' followed by the base form of a verb (e.g., 'to run'). Unlike gerunds, which function as nouns, infinitives can act as the subject, object, or come after certain nouns and adjectives in a sentence. For example, 'To run is fun' uses 'to run' as the subject.

  • Why is it incorrect to say 'I enjoy to run'?

    -The verb 'enjoy' does not take an infinitive directly after it. Instead, it is followed by a gerund. The correct sentence is 'I enjoy running.'

  • Can you use an infinitive as the subject of a sentence?

    -While grammatically correct, using an infinitive as the subject of a sentence (e.g., 'To run is fun') is less common in everyday speech and writing. It's more typical to use the gerund form ('Running is fun').

  • What are some verbs that take an infinitive after them?

    -Some verbs that take an infinitive include 'agree,' 'appear,' 'arrange,' 'ask,' 'attempt,' 'care,' and 'choose.' These are followed by 'to' and the base form of a verb (e.g., 'I agree to meet you').

  • How do you use a noun or pronoun with an infinitive?

    -You use a noun or pronoun with an infinitive when certain verbs require it. For example, 'I want you to go' or 'The teacher assigned us to write an essay.' The noun or pronoun comes before the infinitive.

  • Which nouns are commonly followed by an infinitive?

    -Nouns like 'time,' 'chance,' 'decision,' 'desire,' and 'goal' are often followed by an infinitive (e.g., 'It's time to go,' 'You have a goal to achieve').

  • How do adjectives interact with infinitives in a sentence?

    -Adjectives such as 'excited,' 'amazed,' 'afraid,' 'anxious,' 'careful,' 'eager,' and 'glad' are often followed by an infinitive to express feelings about an action (e.g., 'I'm excited to see you').

  • What are some verbs that take a gerund after them?

    -Verbs like 'admit,' 'advise,' 'appreciate,' 'avoid,' and 'enjoy' are examples of verbs that take a gerund (e.g., 'I enjoy swimming').

  • Can you give an example of a verb that can take both a gerund and an infinitive without changing the meaning?

    -Yes, verbs such as 'begin,' 'afford,' and 'attempt' can take both forms without changing the basic meaning. For example, 'I begin to meet you' and 'I begin meeting you' both convey the same idea of starting to meet someone.

  • How does the meaning change when you use a gerund or an infinitive after the word 'stop'?

    -Using 'stop to + infinitive' implies stopping one activity to start another (e.g., 'They stopped to eat'), whereas 'stop + gerund' implies ceasing an activity completely (e.g., 'They stopped eating').

  • What is the difference between 'remember to + infinitive' and 'remember + gerund'?

    -'Remember to + infinitive' refers to recalling an obligation or something that needs to be done (e.g., 'Remember to call'), while 'remember + gerund' refers to recalling the process or experience of an activity (e.g., 'Remember calling').

Outlines
00:00
πŸ˜€ Understanding Gerunds and Infinitives

The speaker begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding gerunds and infinitives, noting that while the concept is basic, it's not always easy to apply in practice. They review what a gerund is β€” a verb with 'ing' that represents an activity and functions as a noun. The speaker also explains that gerunds can be the subject of a sentence or the object of a verb or preposition. They then introduce infinitives, which start with 'to' and are used as subjects or objects in sentences. The paragraph concludes with the speaker's intention to delve deeper into the topic.

05:03
πŸ“š Common Verbs with Infinitives

The second paragraph focuses on when to use an infinitive after certain verbs. The speaker provides a list of verbs that are followed by an infinitive, such as 'agree,' 'arrange,' 'ask,' and 'attempt,' highlighting that not all verbs can be followed by an infinitive. They also discuss the use of infinitives after nouns and adjectives, and the importance of recognizing which verbs permit infinitives to enhance grammatical accuracy.

10:06
πŸ“– Gerunds as Objects and After Prepositions

In this paragraph, the speaker discusses the use of gerunds as objects of verbs and after prepositions. They clarify that gerunds cannot be used with all verbs and provide examples of verbs that do take gerunds, such as 'enjoy,' 'advise,' and 'appreciate.' The speaker also touches on verbs that can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive without a change in meaning, but cautions that with some verbs like 'stop,' the meaning can change depending on whether a gerund or an infinitive is used.

15:06
πŸ€” The Nuance of 'Remember' and 'Forget'

The speaker explores the subtle differences between using 'remember' and 'forget' with gerunds and infinitives. They explain that 'remember to call' implies recalling an obligation, while 'remember calling' refers to the recollection of the act of calling. Similarly, 'forget to call' means failing to remember an obligation, whereas 'forget calling' means forgetting the details of the calling activity. The paragraph highlights how the choice between a gerund and an infinitive can alter the meaning of these verbs.

20:08
πŸ”„ Gerunds and Infinitives with Prepositions and Adjectives

This paragraph delves into the use of gerunds as objects of prepositions and the common combinations with adjectives and prepositions that are followed by a gerund. The speaker provides examples such as 'look forward to,' 'be afraid of,' and 'be interested in,' noting that these phrases often result in a gerund. They emphasize the importance of being aware of these combinations to improve language usage and understanding.

25:08
πŸ“ Conclusion and Recommendations

The speaker concludes by advising against memorization of all the rules and instead recommends being aware of the categories and rules for gerunds and infinitives. They encourage monitoring one's speech for mistakes and referring back to the rules when unsure. The speaker suggests practicing by talking and reading in English to internalize the correct usage of gerunds and infinitives over time.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Gerund
A gerund is a verb form that ends with 'ing' and functions as a noun, representing an activity. In the video, gerunds are discussed as a key part of English grammar, with examples provided such as 'swimming,' 'running,' and 'writing.' They can be the subject of a sentence or the object of a verb or preposition, as in 'Running is my favorite sport' or 'I enjoy running.'
πŸ’‘Infinitive
An infinitive is the base form of a verb, typically preceded by the word 'to.' It can also function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. In the script, infinitives are shown to be used as subjects, objects of verbs, and objects of prepositions, such as 'to run' in 'To run is fun' or 'I can't wait to run.'
πŸ’‘Subject of a sentence
The subject of a sentence is the person, thing, or idea that is doing or being described by the verb. In the context of the video, gerunds can act as the subject, as in 'Running is my favorite sport,' where 'running' is the gerund serving as the subject of the sentence.
πŸ’‘Object of a verb
An object of a verb is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that is affected by the action of the verb. The video explains that gerunds can serve as objects of verbs, as in 'I enjoy running,' where 'running' is the gerund acting as the object of the verb 'enjoy.'
πŸ’‘Object of a preposition
The object of a preposition is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of a preposition, indicating the relationship between the preposition and other elements in a sentence. In the script, it is mentioned that gerunds can be objects of prepositions, such as in 'I look forward to running.'
πŸ’‘Verbs with infinitives
Certain verbs in English are followed by an infinitive, which is a verb form that begins with 'to.' The video provides a list of such verbs, including 'agree,' 'arrange,' 'ask,' and 'attempt,' as in 'I agree to meet you.' These are essential for understanding when to use an infinitive in English grammar.
πŸ’‘Verbs with gerunds
Some verbs are followed by gerunds, which are verb forms ending in 'ing' that function as nouns. The video script provides examples like 'enjoy,' 'advise,' and 'appreciate,' as in 'Children enjoy learning.' Understanding which verbs take gerunds is crucial for using them correctly in sentences.
πŸ’‘Meaning change
The meaning of a sentence can change depending on whether a gerund or an infinitive is used. The video illustrates this with the verbs 'stop,' 'remember,' and 'forget,' where 'stop to eat' implies stopping another activity to eat, while 'stop eating' implies quitting the activity of eating altogether.
πŸ’‘Prepositions
Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. The video discusses how prepositions can be followed by gerunds, as in 'I am looking forward to seeing you,' where 'to' is the preposition and 'seeing' is the gerund.
πŸ’‘Adjectives with infinitives
In English, certain adjectives are commonly followed by an infinitive to express feelings or states related to an action. Examples from the video include 'excited,' 'afraid,' and 'eager,' as in 'I'm excited to see you' or 'I'm afraid to go.'
πŸ’‘Nouns with infinitives
Some nouns in English are followed by an infinitive to express a specific point in time or a particular opportunity or ability. The video mentions nouns like 'time,' 'chance,' 'decision,' and 'goal,' as in 'It's time to go' or 'I have a goal to achieve.'
Highlights

Gerunds and infinitives are essential parts of English grammar that can be challenging to use correctly.

A gerund is a verb with -ing that represents an activity and functions as a noun.

An infinitive is formed with 'to' followed by the base form of a verb and can act as a subject or object in a sentence.

Gerunds can be the subject of a sentence or an object of a verb or preposition.

Not all verbs can be followed by an infinitive; it's important to know which verbs accept them.

Some verbs require a noun or pronoun before an infinitive, such as 'want' or 'need'.

Using an infinitive in the subject position can sound unnatural; gerunds are more commonly used as sentence subjects.

Certain verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive without a change in meaning, like 'begin' or 'start'.

The words 'forget' and 'remember' can be followed by a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning changes depending on the choice.

Gerunds often come after prepositions, forming common phrases like 'look forward to' or 'be interested in'.

Adjectives can be followed by an infinitive, e.g., 'excited to do something'.

Some verbs can take both a gerund and an infinitive, but the meaning can differ, such as 'stop to do' versus 'stop doing'.

It's not necessary to memorize all the rules; being aware of them and monitoring your speech is more beneficial.

Practicing by talking and reading in English will help internalize the use of gerunds and infinitives.

Understanding when to use gerunds and infinitives correctly is more difficult than knowing the basic rules.

A helpful chart categorizes verbs that take gerunds or infinitives, aiding in learning when to use each form.

Mistakes are a normal part of learning; recognizing and correcting them is key to improving language skills.

The video provides a comprehensive guide on gerunds and infinitives, including examples and usage tips.

Transcripts
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