INFINITIVES AND GERUNDS

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:

1.      What is a hair dryer for?

         A hair dryer is for drying hair

2.      What is this computer program for?

          This computer program is for editing videos

INFINITIVES

     An infinitive is the to + verb form.

     To describe the purpoe of SOMEONE, use an infinitive.

1)      What do you use a hair dryer for?

     I use a hair dryer to dry my hair

2)      What did you go to the store?

     I went to the store to buy some milk.

3)      Why are you going to Toronto?

     I am going to Toronto to learn English.

Example

•      A memory stick is used to store information.     (infinitive)

•      A memory stick is used for storing information. (gerund)

•      I use my video game to play different kind of games.              (infinitive)

•      Video games are used for playing different kind of games.    (gerund)

Both gerunds and infinitives can be nouns, which means they can do just about anything that a noun can do.