Gerunds
1. A gerund is a verbal, that is, both are formed from verbs. In contrast to a principle which is a verbal that function as an adjective.
2. A gerund is a verb form that acts as a noun.
3. A gerund ends in -ing. It may function as a subject, direct object, or object of a preposition,
4. Gerunds function as nouns.
* Boxing is Manny Pacquiao's sport.
A. A gerund that is an object of a preposition and placed at the beginning of a sentence forms a phrase with the preposition and almost always expresses action. These must be some word in the sentence to indicate the doer of the action. If there is no such word, the phrase dangles in the sentence.
*
After receiving the notice, the
deposit was withdrawn. (Preposition- after is the phrase receiving the notice,
receiving- gerund)
The sentence
should be revised;
* Upon receiving the notice, I withdrew the deposit. Or
* After I had received the notice, I withdrew the deposit.
B.
If a possessive noun or a
possessive pronoun modifies the gerund, the proper possessive form must be used.
Correct: The Doctor objects to my joining the race.
Incorrect: The Doctor objects to me joining the race.
C. Infinitives
An infinitive contains the word to and the root word of
a verb. It functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb. When the word
"to" is used with a verb form top complete the infinitive, it is not
a preposition. It is merely the sign of the infinitive. Otherwise, if the word
following the word to is not a verb,
Then the word to is
considered a preposition.
* Her ambition was to sing. (Predicate noun referring to the noun ambition in the subject)
* She loves to sing. (Direct object of the verb loves)
2. Infinitives can function as adverbs
*
The ladies were convinced to dance. (To dance modifies the verb convinced)
*
I was indeed sorry to learn
that you are moving away. (To learn
modifies the adjective sorry)
3. Infinitives used as adjectives.
*
In his eyes there was no desire to live. (The
infinitive to live describes the noun desire)
*
They denied him permission to
appeal. (The infinitive to appeal modifies the noun permission)
* The necessity to call a police was immediate. (To call a police describes the noun necessity)
4. The sign of infinitive, the word to, is usually omitted after certain verbs in order to avoid awkward expressions. The to is usually omitted after the following verbs:
|
Bear |
feel |
watch |
let |
|
Dare |
help |
see |
make |
|
Please |
bid |
need |
|
*
We saw him (to) enter the room.
*
I ask her (to) help.
*
We watched them (to) leave the place.
Split Infinitives
An infinitive is "split" when a word (often an adverb) or phrase sneaks between the to of the infinitive and the root of the verb. There is a debate among many authorities in English regarding the use of split infinitives. Some sanctions the split infinitive if it results in a clearer meaning or a more pleasant sound. Ordinarily, it is not the best practice to split the infinitive.
* Her mother expected him to not sell the lot.
In the preceding sentence, the word not sneaked in between the to
of the infinitive and the verb sell. it is better to rewrite the sentence.
* Her mother expected him not to sell the lot.
(Split infinitive) I ask you to immediately desist from spreading rumors. (Preferable) I ask you to desist immediately from spreading rumors.
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