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Flip to reveal answersWhat is a gerund?
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All 14 Flashcards — Gerunds & infinitives
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Question
What is a gerund?
Answer
The -ing form of a verb used as a noun: swimming, reading. 'I enjoy reading.'
Question
What is the (to-)infinitive?
Answer
to + the base verb: to swim, to read. 'I want to read.'
Question
enjoy + ?
Answer
enjoy + GERUND: 'I enjoy reading.' (never 'enjoy to read').
Question
want + ?
Answer
want + INFINITIVE: 'I want to read.' (never 'want reading').
Question
After a preposition (at, in, of, about), which form?
Answer
Always a GERUND: 'good at cooking', 'interested in learning', 'before leaving'.
Question
Name four verbs that take a gerund.
Answer
enjoy, avoid, finish, suggest (also: mind, keep, practise, miss, can't stand).
Question
Name four verbs that take an infinitive.
Answer
want, decide, hope, plan (also: promise, agree, learn, need, would like).
Question
stop + -ing vs stop + to-do?
Answer
'stopped smoking' = quit the activity; 'stopped to smoke' = paused in order to smoke.
Question
remember + -ing vs remember + to-do?
Answer
'remember locking it' = recall a past action; 'remember to lock it' = don't forget a future task.
Question
try + -ing vs try + to-do?
Answer
'try turning it off' = experiment to see if it works; 'try to finish' = make an effort.
Question
Fix the error: 'She is good at to cook.'
Answer
'She is good at cooking.' — a preposition ('at') is followed by a gerund.
Question
Fix the error: 'They decided going home.'
Answer
'They decided to go home.' — 'decide' takes an infinitive.
Question
Which form follows 'suggest'?
Answer
A GERUND: 'suggested keeping a notebook' (never 'suggested to keep').
Question
What decides whether you use a gerund or an infinitive?
Answer
The MAIN VERB in front (or a preposition) — not the subject. Identify it, then recall its pattern.
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Full study notes for Gerunds & infinitives
Topic 3.3 hub
Mood, voice & verb patterns
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English B exam skills
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