Menu
Table of Contents
Grammar: Gerunds and Infinitives Level 8
Introduction
Imagine you’re telling a story about your day at the park. You want to express what you enjoyed doing, like playing on the swings or eating ice cream. This is where gerunds and infinitives come into play! Mastering these grammatical forms will enhance your writing skills and make your social stories more engaging and expressive.
Definition and Concept
Gerunds are verbs that end in -ing and function as nouns in a sentence. For example, in the sentence ‘Swimming is fun,’ ‘swimming’ is a gerund. Infinitives, on the other hand, are the base form of a verb preceded by ‘to,’ such as ‘to swim’ or ‘to play.’ Both gerunds and infinitives can be used to express actions and states of being.
Importance:
- Enhances writing clarity and variety.
- Helps convey actions and feelings effectively in social stories.
Historical Context or Origin
The use of gerunds and infinitives has evolved over centuries, with roots in Old English. As the English language developed, these forms became essential for expressing complex ideas and actions. Understanding how to use them correctly allows for richer storytelling and communication.
Understanding the Problem
When writing social stories, it’s crucial to know when to use gerunds and when to use infinitives. Let’s break down their uses:
- Gerunds: Use gerunds when you want to describe an activity or express enjoyment. For example, ‘I love swimming.’
- Infinitives: Use infinitives to express intentions or future actions, like ‘I want to swim.’
Methods to Solve the Problem with different types of problems
Method 1: Identifying Gerunds and Infinitives
To determine whether to use a gerund or an infinitive, ask yourself:
- Is the action a noun (gerund) or a future intention (infinitive)?
Example:
In the sentence ‘I enjoy reading,’ ‘reading’ is a gerund because it functions as a noun. In contrast, in ‘I want to read,’ ‘to read’ is an infinitive expressing intention.
Method 2: Practice with Context
Write sentences using both forms. For instance, create sentences about a favorite hobby:
- Gerund: ‘I like painting.’
- Infinitive: ‘I want to paint.’
Exceptions and Special Cases
- Some verbs are followed exclusively by gerunds: Examples include ‘enjoy,’ ‘avoid,’ and ‘consider.’
- Some verbs are followed exclusively by infinitives: Examples include ‘want,’ ‘need,’ and ‘hope.’
Step-by-Step Practice
Practice Problem 1: Complete the sentence with a gerund or infinitive: ‘I enjoy __________ (dance).’
Solution: ‘I enjoy dancing.’
Practice Problem 2: Choose the correct form: ‘I want __________ (go) to the movies.’
Solution: ‘I want to go to the movies.’
Examples and Variations
Example 1: ‘I love __________ (sing) in the shower.’
Solution: ‘I love singing in the shower.’
Example 2: ‘She hopes __________ (travel) to Europe next year.’
Solution: ‘She hopes to travel to Europe next year.’
Interactive Quiz with Feedback System
Common Mistakes and Pitfalls
- Confusing gerunds with infinitives; remember to consider the context of the verb.
- Using the wrong form after specific verbs (e.g., saying ‘I enjoy to swim’ instead of ‘I enjoy swimming’).
Tips and Tricks for Efficiency
- When in doubt, refer to lists of verbs that are typically followed by gerunds or infinitives.
- Practice writing sentences using both forms to become more comfortable with their usage.
Real life application
- Writing personal narratives or social stories in school projects.
- Expressing hobbies and interests in conversations.
- Creating engaging content for blogs or social media.
FAQ's
A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that functions as a noun, while an infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by ‘to.’
Sure! Some examples include ‘enjoy,’ ‘avoid,’ and ‘consider.’
Examples include ‘want,’ ‘need,’ and ‘hope.’
Yes, using them interchangeably can change the meaning of a sentence and lead to confusion.
You can practice by writing sentences about your daily activities, hobbies, or future plans using both forms.
Conclusion
Understanding gerunds and infinitives is essential for effective communication and writing. By practicing their usage in social stories, you can enhance your storytelling skills and express your thoughts more clearly.
References and Further Exploration
- Grammar Girl: A guide to gerunds and infinitives.
- Book: English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy.
Like? Share it with your friends
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn