Introduction

Relevance of the Theme

• The study of Verbs: Gerund and Infinitive is a fundamental piece in the structuring of the English language.
• Both are a form of nominal verb, meaning they can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in the sentence, enriching the expressiveness and variety of language uses.
• Mastering these verbal structures allows for a more fluent, diverse, and precise communication in English.

Contextualization

• The use of Gerund and Infinitive is located in the section of Verbs and Adverbials, one of the most complex and rich parts of English syntax.
• This theme is addressed after the study of regular and irregular verbs, verb tenses, and passive voice, logically sequenced throughout the curriculum.
• Understanding and correctly applying the Gerund and Infinitive is a preparation for more advanced studies in English literature and grammar, as well as being essential for reading and interpreting texts in the English language.

Theoretical Development

Components

• Gerund: It is the present participle of the English verb (or the -ing ending) that is used as a verb, an adjective, or a noun. It is always a word formed by two elements: the verb base and the -ing ending.

  • Example of use as a verb: "I am studying now." (Estou estudando agora.)
  • Example of use as an adjective: "The running water scared me." (A água corrente me assustou.)
  • Example of use as a noun: "Smoking is not allowed here." (Fumar não é permitido aqui.)

• Infinitive: It is the base form of the verb preceded by the particle "to". The infinitive is used to express actions that have not yet occurred, meaning they are in the future.

  • Example of use: "I like to dance." (Gosto de dançar.)

• Verb: A word of inflectional nature that indicates action, state, change of state, or natural phenomenon.

  • Example of verbs: to study (estudar), to run (correr), to eat (comer).

Key Terms

• Verb: Word that indicates action, state, change of state, or natural phenomenon.
• Infinitive: Verbal form that expresses action in an unspecified manner. It is represented by English verbs preceded by the particle "to".
• Gerund: Verbal form that expresses an action in progress. It is represented by English verbs ending in -ing.

Examples and Cases

• Gerund Usage: In the example "I am studying now", the verb "to study" is in the gerund form and functions as a verb, indicating an action in progress.
• Infinitive Usage: In the example "I like to dance", the verb "to dance" is in the infinitive form and functions as the direct object of the verb "like", expressing an action that has not yet occurred but is desired.

Detailed Summary

Relevant Points

• Gerund and Infinitive: In the English language, Gerund and Infinitive are nominal forms of the verb, meaning they can act as a noun, adjective, or adverb. This versatility enhances the expressiveness and diversity of language uses.

• Gerund: It is formed by adding the -ing suffix to the verb. It serves to indicate ongoing actions, while the Infinitive indicates future actions that have not yet occurred. It is important to note that when used with auxiliary verbs, the Gerund can indicate present, future, and past tenses.

• Infinitive: It is the base form of the verb preceded by the particle "to". It is used to express actions that have not yet occurred. It is important to note that, unlike the Gerund, the Infinitive cannot be used to express ongoing actions, but rather actions that have not yet occurred.

Conclusions

• Versatility: The Gerund and Infinitive play a fundamental role in structuring sentences and expressing ideas in English. Furthermore, understanding how these terms work can help in the comprehension of texts and verbal communication in English.

• Use of Gerund and Infinitive: The context determines whether it is more appropriate to use the Gerund or the Infinitive. However, studying rules and usage practices can help in selecting the correct form according to the situation.

Exercises

1. Identify the verbs in the gerund and infinitive in the following sentences:

   • I am studying for the test tomorrow.
   • To run is my favorite way to exercise.
   • She enjoys eating pizza.

2. Rewrite the following sentences using the gerund and infinitive alternately:

   • I like to read books on rainy days.
   • They were walking to the park when it started to rain.

3. Transform the following sentences from gerund to infinitive:

   • We are swimming in the pool.
   • He was singing a beautiful song.
   • They have been dancing all night.