GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

Makalah ini dibuat untuk memenuhi tugas Mata Kuliah Bahasa Inggris

Dosen Pengampu: Dr. Effrina Yuricki, M.Pd

Disusun Oleh:
Kelompok 5

Muhammad Dava Fauzy 11230511000086

JURNALISTIK 2C
PROGRAM STUDI JURNALISTIK
FAKULTAS DAKWAH DAN ILMU KOMUNIKASI
UNIVERSITAS ISLAM NEGERI SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH JAKARTA
2024
 GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Background
A vital component of human existence is language. Speaking is a vital part of
society and our own life, and language is a tool for interpersonal communication.
Our ability to communicate and advocate for justice is facilitated by language. A
language exists for every country. Language diversity results from this. Studying
language is fascinating because of its diversity. This makes language highly special.
For example, the use of gerunds and infinitives often poses a challenge for
inexperienced language learners. A gerund, which is a verb form ending in "-ing,"
is frequently utilized as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. On the other
hand, an infinitive, the base form of a verb preceded by "to," serves various
functions, including as a subject, object, or part of another clause. A strong
understanding of the differences in their usage is key to mastering English grammar
effectively.
This paper will explore various aspects of gerunds and infinitives, including the
rules governing their use, common errors, and strategies to avoid confusion in their
application. By comprehending the distinctions and proper usage between gerunds
and infinitives, it is hoped that readers can significantly enhance their English
language proficiency.
2. Problem Formulation
a. What is the meaning of gerund and infinitive?
b. What is the form, function, and example of gerund and infinitive?

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 B. DISCUSSION
1. Gerund
A gerund is a word that is formed from a verb but acts as a noun in a
sentence. It is a verb in its present participle form (root verb + "ing") that
functions as a noun.
EXAMPLE:
1) Playing tennis is fun
Playing is a gerund. It is used as the subject of the sentence. Playing
tennis is a gerund phrase.
2) We enjoy playing tennis
Playing is a gerund used as the object of the verb enjoy.
3) He's excited about playing tennis.
Playing is a gerund used as the object of the preposition about1
a. Gerund as the Subject
The subject of a sentence is the main noun or pronoun that the sentence
is about. It is the person, place, thing, or idea that is doing or being. The
subject is usually a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase. Therefore, gerund can
be placed as the subject.
V-ing + V-s/es / is, was
EXAMPLE:
• Walking is good exercise.
• Playing tennis is fun.
In that sentences, walking and playing are gerund used as the subject of
the sentence.
b. Gerund as the Object
An object in a sentence is a noun or pronoun that receives the action
done by the subject. It can be a direct object, which directly receives the
action of the verb, or an indirect object, which tells to or for whom or what
the action of the verb is being done. And also, gerund can be placed as the
object in the sentence.
S + Verb + V-Ing

1
Betty Schrampfer Azar, Understanding and Using English Grammar, Third Edition with Answer Key, New
York: Person Education, 2002, hlm. 297

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 EXAMPLE:
• We enjoy playing tennis.
• I like swimming.
In that sentences, playing tennis and swimming are gerund used as the
object of the sentence.
c. Gerund as the Object of Preposition
The object of a preposition is the noun or pronoun that follows the
preposition in a sentence and is being acted on, referenced, or affected by
the preposition in a prepositional phrase. So, gerund can be acted as object
of preposition which is placed after the preposition itself.
(on, by, without, before, after, with, etc)
Preposition + V-Ing
EXAMPLE:
• I'm interested in learning more about your work.
• Susi is in charge of organizing the meeting.
• Alice isn't interested in looking for a new job.
In that sentences, in and of are preposition, then learning, organizing,
and looking are gerund used as the object of preposition
d. Gerund after Possessive Pronoun
A possessive pronoun is a pronoun that is used to express ownership or
possession. It indicates that something belongs to the person or thing
referred to by the pronoun. So, gerund can be also placed after possessive
pronoun.
(my, your, his, her, etc.)
Possesive Pronoun + V-Ing
EXAMPLE:
• My father brings his working to home.
• His speaking is nice to be heard.
• They sit to hear my talking.
In that sentences, his and my are possessive pronoun, then working,
speaking, and talking are gerund after possessive pronoun

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2. Infinitive
An infinitive is a verb form that is not conjugated and is used as a noun,
adjective, or adverb in a sentence. It is formed by adding the word "to" before
the base form of the verb, such as "to run," "to swim," or "to play." Infinitives
can function as the subject, direct object, subject complement, adjective, or
adverb in a sentence, depending on their context. They can also be used in
infinitive phrases, which consist of an infinitive verb plus any complements or
modifiers. Examples of infinitive phrases include "to be or not to be," "to love
to play," and "to need to wait."
The infinitive is divided into 2, namely the infinitive with "to" and the
infinitive without "to" (bare infinitive).
To + V1
a. Infinitivc with TO
a) Infinitive as Noun
• To dance on the stage is my dream.
• To swim competitively requires dedication.
Infinitive can be placed as a noun. referred to the sentences, to which
is the infinitive, then dance and swim are the V1 that acted as subject
and noun
b) Infinitive as Adjective
• I need a book to read.
• She bought a dress to wear to the party.
• We need someone to help us move furniture.
Infinitives can function as adjectives in certain contexts, typically
when they modify or describe a noun. In English, infinitives are often
used to convey purpose or intention, and they can serve as adjectives
when they modify nouns to express the purpose or intended action
associated with the noun.
In each of these examples, the infinitive phrase ("to" + base form of
the verb) functions as an adjective by modifying the noun and
expressing purpose or intention.

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 c) Infinitive as Adverb
Infinitives can indeed function as adverbs in certain situations, typically
when they modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs to express purpose,
result, or manner.
• Purpose
He studies hard to pass the exam.
"to pass the exam" modifies the verb "studies" and indicates the
purpose of his hard work.
• Result
She ran quickly to catch the bus.
In this sentence, "to catch the bus" modifies the adverb "quickly"
and indicates the result of her running.
• Manner
She spoke softly to avoid waking the baby.
"to avoid waking the baby" modifies the adverb "softly" and
describes how she spoke.
In each of these examples, the infinitive phrase ("to" + base form of
the verb) functions as an adverb by modifying another element in the
sentence to provide additional information about the action, result, or
manner.
b. Infinitive Without TO (Bare Infinitive)
"Bare infinitive" is a specific verb that can be used without the word 'to'
in the sentence. Bare infinitive is often also referred to as the base form,
short infinitive, or zero infinitive. Different from the infinitive which only
functions as verbal (words formed from verbs, but can function as a noun,
adjective, or adverb), bare infinitive can also function as a verb.
Bare infinitive can be used in four conditions:
a) After "would rather" or "had better"
• She had better finish her tasks immediately.
b) After modal auxiliary verbs (will, shall, would, could, can, may, might,
must, should, and needn’t), but not applicable to be able to, have to,
ought to, and need to.

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 • The sandstorm will come tonight.

c) After all forms of "do" (do, does, did, doesn’t, didn’t, don’t)
• My friends, Amanda and Deby, don’t like coffee.
d) After specific verbs such as causative verbs (have, let, make), hear,
help, and watch. "Help" can be used with infinitive or bare infinitive.
• The boss of this company made his staff work harder than before.2
3. Passive and Past Forms of Gerunds and Infinitives
a. Past Infinitive
The event expressed by a past infinitive or past gerund happened before the
time of the main verb.
To have + past participle
• The rain seems to have stopped.
b. Past Gerund
having + past participle
• I appreciate having had the opportunity to meet the president.
c. Passsive Infinitive
to be + past participle
• I didn't expect to be invited to his party.
d. Passive Gerund
being + past participle
• I appreciated being invited to your home.
e. Past-Passive Infinitive
To have been + past participle
• Nadia is fortunate to have been given a scholarship
f. Past-Passive Gerund
having been + past participle
• I appreciate having been told the news.3

2
Program Persiapan USM PKN Stan, Gerund and Infinitive, Modul Bahasa Inggris, hlm. 1
3
Betty Schrampfer Azar, Understanding and Using English Grammar, Third Edition with Answer Key, New
York: Person Education, 2002, hlm. 331.

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C. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this paper provides a detailed exploration of gerunds and
infinitives, covering their meanings, forms, functions, and various uses in different
sentence structures. By examining the distinctions between gerunds and infinitives,
readers can enhance their English language proficiency. The paper also discusses
the passive and past forms of gerunds and infinitives, offering a comprehensive
understanding of these verb forms. Through examples and explanations, the paper
clarifies how gerunds and infinitives can function as subjects, objects, and adverbs
in sentences. Overall, this paper serves as a valuable resource for learners seeking
to master the usage of gerunds and infinitives in English grammar.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Program Persiapan USM PKN Stan, Gerund and Infinitive, Modul Bahasa Inggris.
Azar, Betty Schrampfer. (2002). Understanding and Using English Grammar, Third Edition
with Answer Key, New York: Person Education.