G4:  Gerunds & Infinitives I

by Tom Rohrbach

Multiple Choice Quiz

[In modern English, we don't usually use an infinitive as the

subject of a sentence.  However, 400 years ago, Shakespeare did!]

   
In English, we can magically change verbs into nouns - by making them infinitives ('to do') or gerunds ('doing').

Using infinitives and gerunds is very complicated.  First, we have the famous "1-2 Rule", which isn't really a rule,

but does work about 80% of the time. Then, we have special rules for an infinitive after verb+noun, gerund after

possessive, or gerund after preposition. It all gets pretty confusing, and sometimes, you just have to memorize.

THE 1-2 RULE:  If the 1st verb happens first, and the 2nd verb happens later → use infinitive.

If the 2nd verb happens first, or the verbs happen at the same time → use gerund.

Examples:  She plans to visit her sister in Phoenix next week. (1st she plans, later she visits → infinitive)

Mike enjoys watching sci-fi movies.  (enjoying and watching happen at same time → gerund)

Jill remembers meeting Mr. Davis once before.  (2nd verb happens before 1st → gerund)

For grammar 4, we have 3 quizzes to help you practice with infinitives and gerunds.

Please read the explanations if you don't understand why an answer is correct...