Here is a link to some short PPT notes on gerunds and infinitives.
Gerunds:
- always end in "-ing"
- function as a noun, and therefore can function as everything a noun can do (be the subject of a sentence, a direct or indirect object, the object of a prepositional phrase - - - notice that a verb can't do any of those things.)
- because gerunds function as a noun, they're easy to spot and "test" for. Just replace the ING-word in question with another noun - like the word "corn" - and see if the sentence still makes sense. If it does, then the word is functioning as a noun, and YES - it is a gerund.
I like going to the park.
Wait. Is "going" a gerund? Replace it with another noun - corn. Cross off the prepositional phrase at the end - "to the park" is extra info.
I like corn.
Yes. That's a gerund.
Students waved banners and protested against smoking on campus.
Is "smoking" a gerund? Cross off the prepositional phrase.
Students waved banners and protested against corn.
Yep. That's a gerund.
The smoking hot engine had to cool down before the car could be towed.
Is "smoking" a gerund? No. The subject of the sentence is the word "engine" - "smoking" and "hot" act as modifiers for the word "engine." In this case, the word "smoking" is a descriptor - AKA an adjective. Ergo, not a noun - not a gerund. Also, "The corn hot engine had to cool down..." makes no sense. "Smoking" is not being used as a noun, clearly.
Is "smoking" a gerund? No. The subject of the sentence is the word "engine" - "smoking" and "hot" act as modifiers for the word "engine." In this case, the word "smoking" is a descriptor - AKA an adjective. Ergo, not a noun - not a gerund. Also, "The corn hot engine had to cool down..." makes no sense. "Smoking" is not being used as a noun, clearly.
- always function as a verb
- an infinitive is the unconjugated version of a verb, with or without the "to"
Some extra practice:
There are also numerous other tutorial videos on YouTube, as well.
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