GERUNDS OR INFINITIVES

GERUNDS OR INFINITIVES Gerunds (- ing words) and infinitives (to + verb) are verb forms that can be used as nouns They can be used as subjects, objects, or objects of prepositions When used as direct objects, you have to look at the main verb to decide whether to gerund or infinitive form You can find lists of these special verbs in most grammar reference books STRATEGIES FOR GERUND OR INFINITIVE ITEMS ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS: Is the main verb one that can only be followed by a gerund (admit, consider, enjoy, regret, etc.)? If so, is the direct object in the gerund (- ing) form? INCORRECT [Charlie regrets to take that extra piece of pie.] CORRECT Charlie regrets taking that extra piece of pie Is the main verb one that can only be followed by an infinitive (afford, ask, decide, expect, etc.)? If so, is the direct object in the infinitive (to ) form? INCORRECT [We expect finishing before the deadline.] CORRECT We expect to finish before the deadline Although the new accountant enjoys working (A) here, he is considering to transfer (B) or quitting (C) because he dislikes the supervisor nagging (D) him so much To transfer (sb) (from … ) (to … ) to move from one job, school, situation, etc to another; to arrange for sb to move: Children usually transfer to secondary school at 11 or 12 To quit (as sth) (informal) to leave your job, school, etc.: If I don’t get more money I’ll quit To nag (at sb) to keep complaining to sb about their behaviour or keep asking them to sth SYN  To pester: Stop nagging—I’ll it as soon as I can Although the new accountant enjoys working (A) here, he is considering to transfer (B) or quitting (C) because he dislikes the supervisor nagging (D) him so much Ms Smith wanted meeting (A) her coworkers, who always gather to have (B) lunch in the employee cafeteria, but she had to postpone (C) lunch in order to finish typing (D) one last letter When we were talking about relaxing (A) after work, Yafet said he enjoyed to listen (B) to music, Carla said she preferred jogging (C), and I mentioned I was considering taking up (D) tennis To take up sth to fill or use an amount of space or time: The table takes up too much room I won’t take up any more of your time When we were talking about relaxing (A) after work, Yafet said he enjoyed to listen (B) to music, Carla said she preferred jogging (C), and I mentioned I was considering taking up (D) tennis After Kendall admitted taking (A) home office equipment for his personal use, the boss said he was thinking of firing (B) him, but had decided letting (C) him stay on if he promised not to (D) it again To admit (to sth / to doing sth) | To admit (to sb) (that … ) to agree, often unwillingly, that sth is true SYN  To confess: She admits to being strict with her children Don’t be afraid to admit to your mistakes After Kendall admitted taking (A) home office equipment for his personal use, the boss said he was thinking of firing (B) him, but had decided letting (C) him stay on if he promised not to (D) it again Paula says she’s planning on resigning (A) soon because she expects getting accepted (B) into an MBA program, hopes to study (C) international trade, and then, upon graduating (D), find a much better job To resign (from sth)|To resign (as sth) to officially tell sb that you are leaving your job, an organization, etc.: He resigned as manager after eight years MBA (n) a second university degree in business (the abbreviation for ‘Master of Business Administration’): to an MBA Paula says she’s planning on resigning (A) soon because she expects getting accepted (B) into an MBA program, hopes to study (C) international trade, and then, upon graduating (D), find a much better job 10 If you want my advice about succeeding (A) in the workplace, you should plan to arrive (B) on time every day, agree to work (C) late if necessary, and stop to gossip (D) Workplace (n) (often the workplace) [sing.] the office, factory, etc where people work: The introduction of new Technology into the workplace To gossip to talk about other people’s private lives, often in an unkind way: I can’t stand here gossiping all day She’s been gossiping about you 10 If you want my advice about succeeding (A) in the workplace, you should plan to arrive (B) on time every day, agree to work (C) late if necessary, and stop to gossip (D) THANK YOU! ... in the infinitive (to ) form? INCORRECT [We expect finishing before the deadline.] CORRECT We expect to finish before the deadline 1 Although the new accountant enjoys working (A) here, he is.. .Gerunds (- ing words) and infinitives (to + verb) are verb forms that can be used as nouns They can be used as subjects, objects, or objects of prepositions When... especially in negative sentences or questions) to have enough money or time to be able to buy or to sth: Can we afford a new car? The file clerk says he can’t afford to live (A) on his salary if