Gerunds & Infinitives: Tutorial

Examples of Gerund and Infinitive Errors
     
1) An infinitive is used in place of a gerund or a gerund in place of an infinitive.
  
Wrong       The dancer quit to dance because of an injury.
Right       The dancer quit dancing because of an injury.
     
Wrong       They intend interviewing the new mayor after the election.
Right       They intend to interview the new mayor after the election.
     
2) An inappropriate intensifier is used before an infinitive.
  
Wrong       The wall is so high to climb.
Right       The wall is too high to climb.
     
3) Infinitives or gerunds are not parallel.
  
Wrong The students spent time analyzing the problem, to find solutions, and then implementing them.
Right The students spent time analyzing the problem, finding solutions, and then implementing them.
     
4) An inappropriate negative form of an infinitive or a gerund is used.
  
Wrong They regret do not calling him earlier.
Right They regret not calling him earlier.
     
Wrong The financial planner convinced us to not take the risk.
Right The financial planner convinced us not to take the risk.
     
5) An inappropriate pronoun is used before a gerund.
  
Wrong His new job interferes with he spending time with friends.
Right His new job interferes with his spending time with friends.
     
6) The short infinitive has the to.
  
Wrong Let him to pick some blueberries.
Right Let him pick some blueberries.
     
Gerunds - Infinitives - Examples