Infinitives
An infinitive is the base form of a verb with the particle to as in to walk and in the sentence She likes to walk. The infinitive can function without the particle to- as in the sentence I saw her walk into the room.
Infinitives can function as nouns and verbs.
| N O U N |
To know her is to love her. | To know is the subject of the sentence |
| He likes to walk. | To walk is the direct object of the verb likes. | |
| The to particle can be dropped when the infinitive follows the verbs feel, hear, help, let, make, see, and watch. | ||
| V E R B |
My glasses help me (to) see. | The to- particle can be dropped. |
| I felt the wind touch my face. | The to- particle should be dropped. | |
Infinitives can function as adjectives and adverbs, as well. However, most standardized tests cover only the noun and verb forms.
Infinitives in pairs (to be, to do, to run, to eat, etc.) should be consistent or “parallel”.
| Not Parallel | My dad told me to start shoveling manure and hauling it to the potato patch. |
| Parallel | My dad told me to start shoveling manure and to haul it to the potato patch. |
| Not Parallel | My wife wants me to quit gambling every Friday and going to church on Sunday. |
| Parallel | My wife wants me to quit gambling every Friday and to go to church on Sunday. |
Gerunds
A gerund is an -ing form of a verb that functions as a noun. A gerund can function as the subject of a sentence, the complement following a linking verb, or the object of a verb or preposition.
| SUBJECT | Reading is fun. |
| COMPLEMENT | Her favorite hobby is reading. |
| OBJECT | She likes reading. |
Gerunds in pairs (being, doing, running, eating, etc.) should be consistent or “parallel”.
| Not Parallel | My dog likes chasing squirrels and to lie on the air conditioner vent all day. |
| Parallel | My dog likes chasing squirrels and lying on the air conditioner vent all day. |
| Not Parallel | My lawyer recommended pleading guilty to the charge of drag racing on city streets and to avoid it in the future. |
| Parallel | My lawyer recommended pleading guilty to the charge of drag racing on city streets and avoiding it in the future. |
Infinitives and Gerunds
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