Gerund, Participle, Infinitive

Gerund, Participle, Infinitive

Participle is a non-finite verb. It is used as an adjective. There are three types of participle.

Objectives

After the completion of this article/post, you would be able to -

• explain the uses and functions of non-finite verbs.

• use non-finite verbs for communication.

Overview:

Lesson 1: Gerund

Lesson 2: Participle

Lesson 3: Infinitive

Answer Key

Lesson 1 : Gerund

Definition

Gerund is a non-finite verb. It looks like a verb but acts like a noun. When “verb+ing” works as a “noun and verb”, it is called Gerund.

Functions:

1. Subject of the verb:

Swimming is a good exercise. Giving is better than receiving. Seeing is believing.

Rising early is a good habit.

The bold subjects in the above sentences are gerund.

2. Object of a transitive verb: Stop writing.

I like reading poetry. Working is praying. My hobby is reading.

I could not help laughing

Don’t give up trying.

The bold objects (predicates) in the above sentences are gerunds.

3. Object of a preposition: I am fond of catching fish.

I am tired of writing.

They are punished for telling a lie.

In the above sentences, after preposition ‘of’ and ‘for’, gerund is used.

4. By + Gerund:

By eating a balanced diet, you can live well.

By drinking milk, you can get vitamins.

By being curious, he can learn many things.

5. Without + Gerund:

Without working hard, you cannot success.

6. As Verbal Noun (The + Gerund + of): The reading of history is interesting.

The making of dolls/the taking of exercise...

7. Gerund after particular Finite Verbs:

Mind, drop, practice, finish, delay, forbid, endure, excuse, consider, stop, fancy, suggest, present, prefer, deny, enjoy, miss, forgive, avoid, pardon.

After these finite (principal) verbs --- if another verb (action word) sits, it takes the structure of gerund (verb+ing).

Example:

1. We enjoyed playing football.

2. We stopped working.

3. I suggest doing it.

4. She forbade doing this.

5. I have finished reading.
   

Exercise

Fill in the gaps with gerund:

1. He advised ________ (do) it.

2. I don’t mind _______ (chat) with her.

3. I can’t help ________ (laugh).

4. I am desirous of _____ (go) abroad.

5. Without ______ (run) faster, you can’t catch the train.

Answer Key:

1. doing

2. chatting

3. laughing

4. going

5. running
   

Lesson 2 : Participle

Definition:

Participle is a non-finite verb. It is used as an adjective. There are three types of participle:

1. Present Participle: When ‘verb+ing’ works as an ‘adjective and verb’, it is called Present Participle.

Example: Standing at the door, he knocks.

2. Past Participle: When ‘v3’ works as ‘non-finite verb’, it is called past participle.

Example: The burnt house is not ours.

3. Perfect Participle: When ‘having’ is used as ‘adjective and verb’ is called perfect participle.

Example: Having done the work, I slept.

Functions:

1. It takes an object like a verb: Hearing a noise, he woke up. I saw a boy mending his shoes.

The participle took objects (‘a noise’, ‘his shoes’) like a verb.

2. It is modified by an adverb:

Loudly knocking at the gate, he went off. The book is very interesting.

‘Loudly’ and ‘very’ are adverbs modifying the participle.

3. It modifies a noun/pronoun:

A lying person should be punished. A sleeping fox cannot catch a hen. A rolling stone gathers no moss.

The glass is broken. This story is exciting. The girl is good-looking.

Here, the participles are modifying the nouns (subjects) like adjectives.

4. It can be compared like an adjective:

She is more charming than her sister.

This is the most amusing story I have ever heard. Here the participles are compared like adjectives.

5. Absolute Nominative (it means --- not having any relation with Finite Verb): The sky being clear, the plane took off.

I know nothing regarding the matter.

6. Noun phrase + Present Participle =Adjective:

I met a girl carrying a basket of flowers.

I found her crying.

I saw him going up the hill.

Here the italic words are used as adjectives.

Exercise

Fill in the gaps with participle (present/past/perfect participle):

1. I know the boys _____ (make) a noise there.

2. She kept me _____ (wait).

3. I saw ship _____ (come) towards us.

4. The car, ____ (break) since months, will be repaired soon.

5. The sun ____ (verb to have) set, we came back.

Answer Key:

1. Making

2. waiting

3. coming

4. broken

5. having
   

Lesson 3 : Infinitive

Structure of Infinitive: to + base form of verb (v1)

After the following verbs infinitives take place:

Decide, desire, expect, promise, wish, want, offer, hope, refuse, and swear.

Example:

1. She promised to speak the truth.

2. I desire to go abroad.

3. We decided to go there.

4. She refused to help me.

After the following words ‘to’ remains invisible (hidden):

had better, had sooner, than, but, except

Example:

1. You have nothing to do but weep.

2. He is better able to sing than recite.

After the following verbs, ‘bare infinitive’ (zero/invisible infinitive) takes place:

Make, know, feel, hear, dare, bid, need, behold, watch, notice, see.

Example:

1. Let him stay.

2. I watched them play.

3. Did you hear me call you?
   

Exercise

Fill in the gaps with infinitives:

1. Kamal agreed ____ (come).

2. I hope _____ (see) you soon.

3. We plan ____ (finish) this shortly.

4. He offered ____ (sell) the house.

5. I want ____ (drink).

Answer Key:

1. to come

2. to see

3. to finish

4. to sell

5. to drink