Gerund and Infinitive

Infinitive

and

Gerund

What we refer to? 
We refer to an infinitive when to use and when to use a gerund after another verb, ie the rules that determine when to use one or the other.

to walk             walking 

 

WHEN DO WE USE THE INFINITIVE?

The infinitive is in use when it goes followed by certain verbs as want, forget, need, prepare, expect, etc.

Example  

Yo quiero ir al campo.

I want to go out to the country

On the other hand, it is in use when it is placed behind adjectives or adverbs.

Example

 Eso es difícil de recordar

That is difficult to remember.

He remembers that this itself happens if these adjectives or adverbs are accompanied of the particles 'too' and 'enough.

Example

Eso es demasiado difícil de recordar

That is too difficult to remember.

 We are going to use the infinitive in case the principal verb is accompanying of a pronoun I object.

Example

Me dijo que abriera la puerta.

He told me to open the door.

WHEN DO WE USE THE GERUND?

The gerund also we use it principally when it goes followed by another group of verbs as admit, avoid, consider, suggest, mind, imagine, etc.

Example

Mi hermano sugirió ir al campo.

My brother suggested going to the country

On the other hand, the gerund always is in use when it goes followed by a preposition, that is to say, any verb followed by preposition must go in-ing.

Example

Ellos fueron después de ir al cine.

They went after going to the cinema.

In addition, when the phrase begins with a verb that it does of subject also we use a gerund.

Example:

         Escuchar música es mi hobby preferido.

Listening to music is my favourite hobby.

Finally, the gerund is in use much in prohibitions or cartels with short messages. 

Example:

Prohibido aparcar.

No parking 

WHEN ARE THEY IN USE INDISTINCTLY? There exists a group of verbs that allow us to use both structures indistinctly, that is to say, without changing the meaning. Between these verbs we find begin, intend, start, pefer, etc.

Example

Ella empezó a estudiar francés.

She began learning French. / She began to learn French.

*1 Also it is in use with verbs as 'like', 'hate' or 'love'. Nevertheless it is much more common to see the structure with gerund.

 *2 The difference in many cases is that when we speak in general we use the gerund (I.e. I like playing tennis) and when we speak about specific situations we use the infinitive (I.e. I hate to swim here).

WHEN DOES IT CHANGE THE MEANING?

With another group of verbs also we can use both structures, but the meaning changes. Between this type of verbs we find remember, try, stop sign and forget.

Example

Él intentó abrir la ventana.

He tried to open the window.

 Él probó a abrir la ventana.

He tried opening the window.

WHAT MUST I REMEMBER?

The important points that we must remember are the following ones:

 1 Remembers that in the section of 'Verb Patterns' we have seen other aspects to bear topic 2Distinguir in mind with regard to this one between a form and other one in many cases can turn out to be difficult, but the use is going to be the best ally to learn how to use this structure of a correct way.