Summary of Verbs: Gerunds and Infinitives

Goals

1. Use gerunds and infinitives correctly by placing verbs in the appropriate form.

2. Identify verbs written in gerund and infinitive forms in texts.

Contextualization

Picture yourself in a job interview for an international position, and the interviewer asks you to talk about your daily activities. Knowing how to use gerunds and infinitives correctly can really make a difference in communicating clearly. In English, these verb forms are essential for expressing ongoing actions or intentions, and mastering them gives you a competitive edge in the global job market. For instance, you might need to say 'I am working on a project' or 'I want to lead a team.'

Subject Relevance

To Remember!

Using Gerunds in English

In English, the gerund is formed by adding '-ing' to the base form of the verb. It's commonly used to indicate ongoing or progressive actions and can function as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. In a work context, gerunds can describe continuous tasks and responsibilities.

• Formation: add '-ing' to the end of the verb (e.g., work -> working).

• Used as a subject: 'Working is important.'

• Used as an object: 'I enjoy working.'

• Used after prepositions: 'He is good at managing.'

Using Infinitives in English

The infinitive in English consists of the base form of the verb preceded by 'to'. It expresses purpose, intention, or desire, and can act as a subject, object, or complement. In professional settings, infinitives are helpful for outlining goals and intentions.

• Formation: 'to' + base verb (e.g., to manage).

• Used to express purpose: 'I am here to help.'

• Used after adjectives: 'It is important to understand.'

• Used as a subject: 'To succeed is our goal.'

Differences and Similarities Between Gerunds and Infinitives

While gerunds and infinitives often overlap in use, they follow specific rules and can affect the meaning of a sentence. Knowing when to use each form is key for linguistic clarity.

• Gerund for ongoing actions: 'She is working.'

• Infinitive for expressing purpose or intention: 'She wants to work.'

• Some verbs can be followed by either gerund or infinitive, leading to nuanced meanings: 'He stopped smoking' vs 'He stopped to smoke.'

• Follow certain verbs: 'enjoy' takes a gerund ('enjoy working'), while 'want' requires an infinitive ('want to work').

Practical Applications

• Describe ongoing responsibilities on a resume: 'Responsible for managing a team.'

• Write professional emails clearly: 'I am writing to inform you about the meeting.'

• Prepare for job interviews: 'I enjoy working in a team environment.'

Key Terms

• Gerund: A verbal form in English indicating continuous actions, formed by the suffix '-ing'.

• Infinitive: The base form of the verb preceded by 'to', used to express purpose or intention.

• Linguistic Accuracy: The ability to use language correctly and clearly, essential for effective communication in the workplace.

Questions for Reflections

• How can being precise in choosing gerunds and infinitives enhance the clarity of your professional communication?

• What challenges have you encountered when using gerunds and infinitives during classroom activities?

• How can you apply your understanding of gerunds and infinitives to real-life situations in the job market?

Professional Communication Challenge

In this challenge, you will create a brief simulated dialogue in a professional context, making sure to use verbs in both gerund and infinitive forms correctly.

Instructions

• Form a group of 3-4 members.

• Choose a professional scenario (like a team meeting or a job interview).

• Create a 5-7 line dialogue for this scenario, using at least three examples of gerunds and three of infinitives.

• Practice the dialogue and present it to the class.

• After your presentation, discuss the usages of the verbs highlighted, making any necessary corrections.