TextRanch

The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

Our experts

Infinitive vs gerund.

The phrases "infinitive" and "gerund" are both correct and commonly used in English grammar. They refer to different forms of verbs: infinitives are the base form of a verb (e.g., to run), while gerunds are verbs that function as nouns (e.g., running). They are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes in a sentence.

Last updated: March 17, 2024 • 919 views

Infinitive

This is a correct term in English grammar referring to the base form of a verb, often used with 'to' (e.g., to run).

The infinitive form of a verb is used in various ways in English, such as after certain verbs (e.g., want to go) or to express purpose (e.g., I study to learn).

Examples:

  • to eat
  • to sleep
  • to play
  • to study
  • to read
  • To sneeze, to smash, to cry, to shriek, to jump, to dunk, to read, to eat, to slurp— all of these are infinitives. An infinitive will almost always begin with to followed ...
  • Infinitive is a grammatical term referring to certain verb forms existing in many languages. As with many linguistic concepts, there isn't a single definition ...
  • The infinitive is the base form of a verb. In English, when we talk about the infinitive we are usually referring to the present infinitive, which is the most common.
  • The infinitive of a verb is treated almost exactly like a noun. A Handbook of ... The infinitive mood is like a gentlemans cab, because it has no number. The Comic ...

Alternatives:

  • base form of a verb
  • to-infinitive

gerund.

This is a correct term in English grammar referring to a verb form that functions as a noun, ending in -ing (e.g., swimming).

Gerunds are used as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence, such as 'Swimming is my favorite activity.'

Examples:

  • swimming
  • reading
  • writing
  • cooking
  • running
  • Every gerund, without exception, ends in ing. Gerunds are not, however, all that easy to identify. The problem is that all present participles also end in ing.
  • A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing." The gerund form of the verb "read" is "reading." You can use a gerund as the subject, the complement, ...
  • The gerund (/ˈdʒɛrənd/ or /ˈdʒɛrʌnd/) is a non-finite verb form that can function as a noun in Latin and English grammar. The English gerund ends in - ing (as ...
  • The gerund looks exactly the same as a present participle, but it is useful to understand the difference between the two. The gerund always has the same ...

Alternatives:

  • -ing form of a verb
  • verb form as a noun

Related Comparisons

i accepted vs i've accepted we are accept vs we accepted provide withinvoices vs provide with the invoices customer has acceped vs customer accepted GABAergic vs GABA-ergic people say vs peopels

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9TextRanch on TrustPilot).

Why choose TextRanch?

Lowest prices
Up to 50% lower than other online editing sites.

Fastest Times
Our team of editors is working for you 24/7.

Qualified Editors
Native English experts for UK or US English.

Top Customer Service
We are here to help. Satisfaction guaranteed!