Advanced gerunds and infinitives as subjects and objects

Advanced gerunds and infinitives as subjects and objects involve using these verb forms in complex sentence structures. Gerunds are verb forms ending in "-ing", and infinitives are verb forms in their base form with "to" (e.g., to go, to eat). When used as subjects and objects in advanced English, gerunds and infinitives add sophistication and nuance to your language expression. Let's explore their usage:

Gerunds (V+ing) Usage

Gerunds function as nouns and are commonly used in the following contexts:

1. As the subject of a sentence

   Swimming keeps me fit. (More natural than To swim keeps me fit.)

2. As the object of certain verbs

   Some verbs are always followed by a gerund, not an infinitive: admit, avoid, consider, deny, enjoy, finish, involve, keep, mind, miss, practice, suggest

   She suggested going to the museum.

3. After prepositions (including phrasal verbs)

   Gerunds are always used after prepositions:

   She's interested in learning new languages.

   He apologized for being late.

4. After certain expressions

   Common expressions that require a gerund: can't help, can't stand, it's no use, it's worth, there's no point in, have trouble/difficulty in

   It's no use arguing with him.

   I had difficulty finding the address.

Infinitives (to + V1) Usage

Infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs and are used in the following contexts:

1. As the subject of a sentence (more formal than a gerund)

   To err is human, to forgive divine. (More formal than Erring is human…)

2. As the object of certain verbs

   Some verbs must be followed by an infinitive: agree, decide, expect, fail, hope, learn, manage, need, offer, plan, promise, refuse, seem, want

   She decided to move abroad.

   He promised to call me later.

3. After adjectives

   It's difficult to understand this concept.

   She is happy to help.

4. After "too" and "enough" constructions

   This book is too complicated to read.

   He is strong enough to lift the box.

5. After question words (except "why")

   He doesn't know what to do next.

   I can't decide where to go on vacation.

Bare Infinitive (V1 without "to")

A bare infinitive is used:

1. After modal verbs

   She can swim very well.

   You must finish your work.

2. After verbs of perception + object (see, hear, watch, feel, notice, etc.)

   I saw him leave the building. (Bare infinitive – completed action)

   I saw him leaving the building. (Present participle – action in progress)

3. After "let" and "make"

   Let me explain.

   The teacher made us rewrite the essay.

   BUT: He was made to rewrite the essay. (In passive voice, "to" is added)

Verbs That Change Meaning Depending on Gerund or Infinitive

Some verbs can take both a gerund and an infinitive, but their meaning changes:

1. Remember + Gerund vs. Infinitive

   Remember + V-ing → Remembering a past action

   I remember locking the door. (I have a memory of locking it.)

   Remember + to V1 → Remembering to do something in the future

   Remember to lock the door. (Don't forget to do it.)

2. Stop + Gerund vs. Infinitive

   Stop + V-ing → Stopping an action permanently

   He stopped smoking. (He quit smoking forever.)

   Stop + to V1 → Stopping one action in order to do another

   He stopped to smoke. (He paused what he was doing to have a cigarette.)

3. Try + Gerund vs. Infinitive

   Try + V-ing → Experimenting with something

   Try adding more salt. (Test to see if it improves the taste.)

   Try + to V1 → Attempting something difficult

   I tried to open the jar, but it was too tight.

4. Regret + Gerund vs. Infinitive

   Regret + V-ing → Feeling sorry for something in the past

   I regret saying that to her. (I wish I hadn't said it.)

   Regret + to V1 → Introducing bad news formally

   We regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful.