Gerunds & Infinitives Tutorial

Gerunds
  
A gerund is the ing form of a verb ( drink + ing = drinking). It can function as a subject, an object, or an object of a preposition. A gerund refers to an action rather than an idea, a person, or an object.
  
S

Collecting

 antiques is fun.

  
O

She mentioned

 buying  a gift for his birthday.
  
O of Prep
We are concerned about  his failing  health.
  
"Not" precedes a gerund in the negative form.
Not knowing the result bothers him.
  
Gerunds are used with prepositions, adjectives, verbs, and possessive pronouns.
     
after prepositions
after adjectives + prepositions
after verbs + prepositions
after nouns + prepositions
after some verbs
after possessive pronouns
  
Form Gerunds are used after prepositions.
  
Usage They are looking forward to having a baby.
  
Form Gerunds are used after some adjective-preposition combinations.
  
proud of      aware of      tired of
famous for      grateful to      tolerant of
glad about      jealous of      responsible for
  
Usage She is responsible for arranging the reception.
  
Form Gerunds are used after certain verb-preposition combinations.
  
insist on      prefer to      contribute to
result in      protect from      interfere with
give up      object to      concentrate on
  
Usage I object to discussing the issue.
  
Form Gerunds are used after some noun-preposition combinations.
  
avoid      consider      suggest
recall      appreciate      quit
recommend      delay      practice
miss      resent      complete
regret      put off     
  
Usage The dentist recommended consulting another physician.
  
He regrets quitting his job.
  
Form Gerunds are used after possessive pronouns.
  
Usage We appreciate their finding us an apartment.
     
Gerunds - Infinitives - Examples