OVERVIEW

On this page, you will distinguish between infinitives and gerunds.

First, read the text and study the examples.
Then, listen to audio of the text.

READ & LISTEN

Running on the beach

Image by ceiling, CC BY 2.0

Read:

Verbs show the action of a sentence. Sometimes verbs can be used as a noun in a sentence. When you use a verb as a noun, you use a gerund or the infinitive.

A gerund is a verb that is written in the -ing form. It acts like a noun that names an activity such as running or swimming. Any action verb can be made into a gerund.

An infinitive is formed by using 'to' + the base form of the verb. Examples of the infinitive are "to run" and "to swim".

Listen:

Talking about running on the beach

Image by HaeFestus, CC BY 2.0

Read:

When you talk about your hobbies or doing things, you use the words 'like' and 'enjoy'.

When you use the word 'enjoy' to talk about what you like to do, use the gerund.

Example:

I enjoy swimming.
She enjoys hiking.

When you use the word 'like,' you can use the gerund or the infinitive.

Example:

They like to cook.
They like cooking.

Listen:

Read:

Look at the charts below to see how gerunds and infinitive are used in sentences.

Sentences with 'like'
Infinitive	Gerund
I like to swim in the summer.	I like swimming in the summer.
You like to fix things in your house.	You like fixing things in your house.
Ray likes to take pictures of his family.	Ray likes taking pictures of his family.
Michael and Sasha like to swim in a pool.	Michael and Sasha like swimming in a pool.

Sentences with 'enjoy'
We enjoy riding bicycles around the lake in our town.
My friend enjoys watching movies. He goes to a movie every week.
Makiko enjoys climbing mountains.
Michael and Michele enjoy cooking dinner for their friends.

Listen: