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Learning Article : Four Simple Steps To Learning When To Use The Gerund Or Infinitive

Discuss the Article : Four Simple Steps To Learning When To Use The Gerund Or Infinitive

Four Simple Steps To Learning When To Use The Gerund Or Infinitive

Native English speakers naturally know when to use the gerund or the infinitive, but for language learners, it can be tricky. Follow these four steps and you'll soon be choosing the correct form without having to think about it.

Comments · 30

6

I'm sorry, Jan. Your explanation is little better than nothing. Excuse me for blunt speaking, I'm Russian, it is well known we are rude. Only the beginning is okay, the rest is not about gerund at all.

https://www.italki.com/article/1048/Gerund-Or-Infinitive-%E2%80%93-That%E2%80%99s-The-Question


That link is more useful.


5
SHL: I didn't presume that you wanted to teach English; it was just a word to the wise.  I have to wonder, though, if you don't like English why you spend your time reading an article on English learning and then make negative comments about it.
5
By the way, AHTOH, half my students are Russian.  I don't think your "bluntness" can be attributed to your nationality.
4

Yes, AHTOH, I have to agree; your opinion is rather rude.  If you notice the title of my article is Four Simple Steps to LEARNING When to Use the Gerund or Infinitive.  The information I provided says just that -- how to study and learn them. Knowing which to use comes naturally to a native speaker, but requires some effort for English language learners.

The article you cited provides an explanation about meaning changes following FIVE specific verbs. Although the title hints at helping the reader distinguish between gerunds and infinitives in general: "Gerund or Infinitive - That's the Question",  the author provides some helpful information in regards to these five verbs. 

The topic of gerunds and infinitives is an extensive one and can be approached from a number of different angles.  No author can please every reader.  I believe my article delivers what it promises in the title:  "Four Simple Steps to Learning..."  I'm sorry that you, AHTOH, were disappointed.  If you can write a better article, I'd like to read it.

3

Hi Jan,

Deciding when to use a gerund or infinitive is not easy for learners. However, confusing continuous verb forms with gerunds will not help them.

e.g. present continuous: aux (be) + present participle: NOT A GERUND!

A gerund functions as a noun (you could call it a participle noun);

When the present participle is used in a tensed verb, it is a VERB, not a noun. You could call it a participle verb, but it should never be called a gerund. 

By the way, when I teach this stuff, I don't even use the word gerund, I use the term participle noun. 

People think learning English is hard! They should try teaching it!

All the best,

Steve

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