Gerunds And Infinitive

Grammar – Gerunds and Infinitives for Purpose

by MELANIE on FEBRUARY 25, 2010

Gerunds and infinitives are a part of English grammar that many English learners find challenging. In this post, I will help you understand when to use a gerund or infinitive to describe the purpose of someone or something.

In English, both gerunds and infinitives can be used to talk about the reason why we use or do something.

Let’s begin with an example. This is a hair dryer:

There are two ways you can talk about the purpose of the hair dryer. Compare these two sentences …

A hair dryer is for drying hair.

I use a hair dryer to dry my hair.

Can you see the difference between the two sentences above?

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Gerunds

A gerund is a verb that acts like a noun. To form a gerund, add –ing to the end of the verb.

To describe the purpose of something, use for + gerund:

What is a hair dryer for?

A hair dryer is for drying hair.

What is this program for?

This computer program is for editing videos.

*Notice that in the above sentences, the thing being described is the subject of the sentence.

More example sentences:

My lips are for kissing!

Be quiet! A library is for studying, not for socializing!

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Infinitives

An infinitive is the to + verb form. To describe the purpose of someone, use aninfinitive.

What do you use a hair dryer for?

I use a hair dryer to dry my hair.

Why did you go to the store?

I went to the store to buy some milk.

Why are you going to Toronto?

I‘m going to Toronto to learn English

More example sentences:

I use my lips to kiss!

Be quiet! I come to the library to study, not to socialize!

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Here’s where it gets confusing:

You can still use for + noun to talk about the purpose of someone, but the noun CANNOT be a gerund:

Why did you buy a box of chocolates?

I bought a box of chocolates for my husband.

I bought a box of chocolates to give my husband.

NOT: I bought a box of chocolates for give my husband.

NOT: I bought a box of chocolates for giving my husband.

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I hope this helped you to better understand when to use a gerund or infinitive to talk about purpose!

Gerunds and Infinitives

Here is a brief review of the differences between gerunds and infinitives.

Gerunds are formed with ING.

walking, talking, thinking, listening

Infinitives are formed with TO.

to walk, to talk, to think, to listen

Jobs

Gerunds and infinitives can do several jobs.

Both gerunds and infinitives can be the subject of a sentence.

Writing in English is difficult.

To write in English is difficult.

Both gerunds and infinitives can be the object of a verb.

Both gerunds and infinitives can be the subject of a sentence.

I like writing in English.

I like to write in English.

But... only gerunds can be the object of a preposition.

We are talking about writing in English.

Usage

It is often difficult to know when to use a gerund and when to use an infinitive. These guidelines may help you.

Gerunds Gerunds are often used when actions are real, concrete, or completed.

For example: I stopped smoking.

(The smoking was real and happened until I stopped.)

Infinitives Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future.

For example: I stopped to smoke.

(I was doing something else, and I stopped; the smoking had not happened yet.)

When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises.

Some of your answers are incorrect. Incorrect answers have been left in place for you to change.

1. Dan enjoys reading science fiction.

2. Cheryl suggested a movie after work.

3. I miss working in the travel industry. Maybe I can get my old job back.

4. Where did you learn to speak Spanish? Was it in Spain or in Latin America?

5. Do you mind me translate this letter?

6. He asked to the store manager.

7. You've never mentioned in Japan before. How long did you live there?

8. If he keeps coming to work late, he's going to get fired!

9. Debbie plans to study abroad next year.

10. I agreed to

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