Learn Infinitives and Gerunds and How to Use Them with Exercises and Worksheet

In today’s lesson we will learn all about Infinitives and Gerunds. I will show you quickly how to understand them and also how to use them in sentences. Let’s practice some simple example exercises and complete a worksheet all about using the infinitive and using gerunds.

Definition

Why do we do the things we do? What is this used for? What is the purpose for this thing?

If you want to talk about why we do or use something then you want to use an infinitive and a gerund!

If you want to talk about something that is happening right at this moment, then you want to use a gerund with the verb /to be/.

Remember the verb pattern

/I am, you are, he-she-it is, we are, they are/.

To form a gerund, add -ing to the end of a verb; for example, growing, listening, asking, wishing. There are two other spelling rules to note when making gerunds:

Examples For Gerunds

1. A stove is for cooking.

2. I am going to school.

3. We are waiting for the movie to start.

Now what about an Infinitive? Well infinitives help you tell what something or someone is going to do or needs to do. To do this we have a simple form.

Infinitive Form: To + Verb

Examples for Infinitives

1. She needs to call Mike.

2. I like to run in the park.

3. This is the movie I want to see.

Worksheet: Fill in the blanks to express what is happening now with Gerunds.

1. We ___ ____ (to play)a soccer game.

2. They  ____ _____ (to eat) dinner early.

3. I ___ ____ (to wish) for a sunny day so we can go to the park.

4. He ____ ____ (to swim) in the pool

5. The lioness____ _____ (to watch) her cubs.

Answers

1. We are playing a soccer game.

2. They are eating dinner early.

3. I am wishing for a sunny day so we can go to the park.

4. He is swimming in the pool.

5. The lioness is watching her cubs.