Verbal: Infinitives, Gerund and Participles

                     Verbal: Infinitives, Gerund and Participles

There are three types of verbal

1.      Infinitives

2.      Gerunds

3.      Participles

---

1. Infinitives

Definition

An infinitive is the base form of a verb usually preceded by "to" (to eat, to sleep, to run). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

Examples:

·         To learn is important. (noun — subject)

·         She has a book to read. (adjective — describes "book")

·         He ran fast to win the race. (adverb — explains "why he ran")

---

2. Gerunds

Definition

A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun.

Examples:

·         Swimming is good exercise. (subject of the sentence)

·         She enjoys reading. (object of the verb "enjoys")

·         We talked about traveling. (object of the preposition "about")

---

3. Participles

Definition

A participle is a verb form used as an adjective to describe a noun or pronoun.
There are two types:

·         Present participle: ends in -ing (e.g., running, crying)

·         Past participle: usually ends in -ed, -d, -t, -en, or -n (e.g., walked, burnt, broken)

Examples:

·         The crying baby woke up. (present participle describing "baby")

·         We saw the broken glass. (past participle describing "glass")

·         The burnt toast smells bad. (past participle describing "toast")

---

Summary Table

Verbal Type	Form	Functions As	Example
Infinitive	to + verb	Noun, adjective, adverb	I like to swim.
Gerund	verb + -ing	Noun	Reading is fun.
Participle	verb + -ing/-ed	Adjective	A broken chair was thrown out.

 

A. Infinitives: To-Infinitive and Bare Infinitive

---

1. To-Infinitive

Definition

The to-infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to eat, to go, to read).

Usage

·         Acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb in sentences.

·         Commonly used after many verbs, adjectives, and nouns.

 Examples:

·         I want to learn French. (object of verb "want")

·         She is eager to help. (adjective + to-infinitive)

·         This is the place to visit. (adjective modifying "place")

·         He works hard to succeed. (adverb explaining purpose)

---

2. Bare Infinitive (Plain Infinitive)

Definition:

The bare infinitive is the base form of the verb without "to" (e.g., eat, go, read).

Usage:

·         Used after modal verbs (can, may, must, should, etc.).

·         After verbs like let, make, help, hear, see, watch in causative or sensory contexts.

·         After expressions like "had better," "would rather," and "sooner."

Examples:

·         She can sing very well. (after modal verb "can")

·         Let him go now. (after verb "let")

·         I heard her sing a beautiful song. (after verb "hear")

·         You had better leave early. (after expression "had better")

---

Summary Table

Type	Form	When Used	Example
To-Infinitive	to + base verb	After many verbs, adjectives, nouns	She wants to dance.
Bare Infinitive	base verb alone	After modals, let, make, help, hear, see etc.	You must study hard.

 

Uses of To-Infinitives

---

1.As the Subject of a Sentence

·         The infinitive acts like a noun, serving as the subject.

Example:

·         To study hard is important.

·         To travel abroad is my dream.

---

2.As the Object of a Verb

·         Many verbs are followed by a to-infinitive as their object.

Example:

·         She wants to learn French.

·         They decided to leave early.

---

3.To Express Purpose or Intention

·         It explains why something is done.

Example:

·         He studies hard to pass the exam.

·         She called to invite me.

---

4.As an Adjective to Modify a Noun

·         It describes the noun by telling its purpose or characteristic.

Example:

·         I have a report to write.

·         This is the place to visit.

---

5.After Certain Adjectives

·         To-infinitives come after adjectives to add meaning.

Example:

·         I am happy to help you.

·         She is eager to start the project.

---

6.After Certain Nouns

·         To-infinitives follow some nouns to explain purpose or intention.

Example:

·         I have a plan to improve sales.

·         There is a need to act quickly.

---

7.As a Complement of the Subject

·         It completes the meaning of the subject.

Example:

·         His goal is to win the competition.

·         The best thing to do is to wait.

---

8.After Question Words

·         To-infinitives can follow question words like what, where, how, etc.

Example:

·         I don’t know what to say.

·         Can you tell me where to go?

---

9.After Certain Verbs Followed by an Object

·         Some verbs require an object + to-infinitive.

Example:

·         He asked me to help him.

·         She told us to wait outside.

---

10. To Show Result or Consequence

Example:

·         He grew up to become a famous artist.

 

Uses of Bare Infinitive

---

1.After Modal Verbs

Bare infinitives follow modal verbs like can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would.

Examples:

·         She can speak three languages.

·         You must finish your homework.

·         They should arrive soon.

---

2.After Verbs of Permission, Causation, and Request

After verbs like let, make, help, have (in some cases), the bare infinitive is used.

Examples:

·         Let him go now.

·         The teacher made us stay after class.

·         Can you help me carry this bag?

---

3.After Verbs of Perception (Sense Verbs)

After verbs like see, hear, watch, feel, notice, the bare infinitive is used when the action is complete.

Examples:

·         I saw her leave the room.

·         We heard them sing a song.

·         She watched him run fast.

---

4.After Expressions Like “Had Better,” “Would Rather,” “Sooner,” “Rather”

These expressions are followed by the bare infinitive.

Examples:

·         You had better go now.

·         I would rather stay at home.

·         She would sooner die than apologize.

---

5.In Conditional Sentences Without “If”

Sometimes used after were, had, or should in conditional sentences (subjunctive mood).

Examples:

·         Were he to come, we would celebrate.

·         Had she known, she would have helped.

---

6.After “Why” in Negative Suggestions or Commands

When “why” introduces a negative suggestion, the bare infinitive is used.

Examples:

·         Why wait any longer?

·         Why not try again?

Summary Table

Use	Example
After modal verbs	She can dance well.
After let, make, help	Let him go now.
After verbs of perception	I saw her leave early.
After had better, would rather	You had better run fast.
Conditional without “if”	Were he here, we'd start.
After why in negative suggestions	Why wait?

 

Uses of Gerunds

A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun.

---

1As the Subject of a Sentence

The gerund acts as the subject (doing the action).

Example:

·         Swimming is good exercise.

·         Reading improves your vocabulary.

---

2As the Object of a Verb

Some verbs are followed by gerunds as their objects.

Example:

·         I enjoy playing football.

·         She suggested going to the park.

---

3After Prepositions

Gerunds are used after prepositions (like in, on, at, by, for, etc.).

Example:

·         She is interested in learning French.

·         They left without saying goodbye.

---

4As the Object of a Preposition

A gerund can follow a preposition and act as its object.

Example:

·         He is good at drawing.

·         I am tired of waiting.

---

5After Certain Expressions

Some expressions are followed by gerunds.

Examples:

·         It’s no use crying over spilled milk.

·         I look forward to meeting you.

---

6As a Complement of the Subject

Gerunds can complete the subject in a sentence.

Example:

·         Her favorite hobby is dancing.

·         My passion is writing.

---

7After Certain Verbs

Verbs like admit, avoid, enjoy, mind, practice, quit, risk, suggest are followed by gerunds.

Examples:

·         He admitted stealing the money.

·         They avoided talking about the issue.

---

8After Verbs Followed by a Preposition

When a verb is followed by a preposition, the next verb is in gerund form.

Example:

·         She insisted on going alone.

·         He succeeded in passing the exam.

---

Summary Table

Use	Example
Subject	Running is fun.
Object of verb	I enjoy reading.
After prepositions	She is afraid of flying.
Object of preposition	They talked about leaving.
After certain expressions	It’s no use arguing.
Complement of subject	His hobby is fishing.
After certain verbs	She suggested going home.
After verbs + prepositions	He succeeded in finishing it.

Uses of Participles

Participles are verb forms used as adjectives or to form verb tenses.
There are two types: Present Participle (-ing form) and Past Participle (usually -ed or irregular form).

---

1.As Part of Continuous Tenses (Present Participle)

Used with be verbs to form continuous tenses.

Example:

·         She is running fast.

·         They were playing football yesterday.

---

2.As Part of Perfect Tenses (Past Participle)

Used with have verbs to form perfect tenses.

Example:

·         He has finished his work.

·         They had gone before we arrived.

---

3.As Adjectives (Present or Past Participle)

Participles can describe nouns like adjectives.

·         Present participle shows an ongoing action or quality.

Example:

·         The laughing children played outside.

·         A running stream flowed gently.

·         Past participle shows a completed action or passive quality.

Example:

·         The broken window was fixed.

·         The written report is on the table.

---

4.In Participial Phrases (to Add More Information)

Participial phrases act like adjectives or adverbs, adding extra detail.

Example:

·         Walking down the street, she found a wallet.

·         Excited by the news, he called his friends.

---

5.In Passive Voice (Past Participle)

Used with forms of be to make passive sentences.

Example:

·         The book was written by an expert.

·         The food is prepared fresh daily.

---

6.To Show Cause or Condition (Participial Clause)

Participial clauses can explain reason or condition.

Example:

·         Tired of waiting, she left.

·         Given the circumstances, we agreed to help.

---

Summary Table

Use	Example
Continuous tense (present)	They are singing a song.
Perfect tense (past)	She has gone home.
Adjective (present)	The crying baby needs attention.
Adjective (past)	The closed door is locked.
Participial phrase	Running late, he missed the bus.
Passive voice	The letter was sent yesterday.
Participial clause (cause)	Feeling hungry, he ate quickly.