Dr. Murray and Anna C. Rockowitz Writing Center, Hunter College, City University of New York
GRAMMAR AND MECHANICS
Using Gerunds and Infinitives
A gerund is a verb form that ends in “-ing” and is used as a noun (walking, traveling, voting); an
infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by “to” (to walk, to travel, to vote). Gerunds and
infinitives can function as the subject of a sentence or the object of a verb. Words derived from
verbs are known as verbals and may take modifiers, objects, and complements to form verbal
phrases A gerund phrase uses the “-ing” form of the verb to function as a noun; an infinitive
phrase is formed using the infinitive and can function as a noun, adverb, or adjective.
USING VERB FORMS AS SUBJECTS
When functioning as the subject of a sentence, gerunds and infinitives always use a singular verb
form, for example: “Walking is good exercise.” In this sentence, the “-ing” verb form
(“Walking”) is the simple subject and the verb “is” links the subject to the subject complement
“good exercise,” which refers to and describes the subject. When a gerund phrase functions as a
subject, the “-ing” verb form is expanded as a word group, for example: “Traveling with a friend
made the trip to New York more enjoyable.” In this sentence, the gerund phrase (“Traveling with
a friend”) is the subject, “made” is the verb, “the trip” is the direct object, “to New York” is the
indirect object, and “more enjoyable” is the object complement..
Similar to a gerund, the infinitive form of a verb can also function as the subject of a sentence,
for example: “To vote is a legal obligation.” In this sentence, the subject (“To vote”) is linked to
the direct object (“a legal obligation”) by the verb “is.” Likewise, an infinitive phrase can
function as a subject: “To vote in the upcoming election will be an important personal
statement.” In this sentence, the infinitive phrase (“To vote in the upcoming election”) is linked
to the direct object of the sentence (“an important personal statement”) by the verb “will be.”
USING VERB FORMS AS OBJECTS
In idiomatic English, certain verbs are followed only by a gerund, certain verbs by an infinitive,
and certain verbs by either a gerund or an infinitive.
Common Verbs Followed Only by a Gerund
admit He admitted stealing the money.
advise She advises waiting until tomorrow.
anticipate I anticipate having a good time on vacation.
appreciate I appreciate hearing from you.
