Basic Rules and Exceptions for Infinitives and Gerunds
This page delves deeper into the use of infinitives and gerunds in English, providing some basic rules to help learners navigate their usage. It also introduces exceptions and variations to these rules.
Key points covered on this page include:
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Infinitives are always used to express purpose answeringthequestion"forwhat?" and after adjectives.
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Gerunds are always used after prepositions or phrasal verbs, and when the verb is the subject of the sentence.
Example: "I'm learning English to get a better job" infinitiveexpressingpurpose
Example: "She's interested in learning more" gerundafterpreposition
The page also discusses exceptions, particularly with verbs expressing likes and preferences. These verbs can be followed by either gerunds or infinitives, with slight differences in meaning.
Example: "I like going to the cinema whenever I can" vs. "I like to go to the cinema once a month"
The first example expresses enjoyment of the action, while the second indicates an important habit for the speaker.
This information helps learners understand the nuances in meaning when choosing between infinitives and gerunds with certain verbs.