Gerund: Add and “ing” to the end of any verb
Infinitive: Add and “to” before the verb
Both gerunds and infinitives can be used as the subject or the complement of a sentence. However, as subjects or complements, gerunds usually sound more like normal, spoken English, whereas infinitives sound more abstract. In the following sentences, gerunds sound more natural and would be more common in everyday English. Infinitives emphasize the possibility or potential for something and sound more philosophical. If this sounds confusing, just remember that 90% of the time, you will use a gerund as the subject or complement of a sentence
As the object of a sentence, it is more difficult to choose between a gerund or an infinitive. In such situations, gerunds and infinitives are not normally interchangeable. Usually, the main verb in the sentence determines whether you use a gerund or an infinitive.
Some verbs are followed by gerunds as objects. Click at this link to see the list: http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerund_list.htm
Some verbs are followed by infinitives. Click at this link to see the list: http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/infinitive_list.htm
Gerunds can often be modified with possessive forms such as his, her, its, your, their, our, John's, Mary's, the machine's, and so on. This makes it clearer who or what is performing the action
Some verbs are followed by a noun plus an infinitive. In some situations, the noun is required. In other situations, the noun is optional. Click at this link to see the list: http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/verb_noun_infinitive_list.htm
Some verbs are usually followed by a gerund, BUT they can also be followed by a noun plus infinitive. Using a noun plus infinitive will usually change who is performing the action. Click at this link to see the list: http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerund_or_noun_infinitive_list.htm
There are many "go + gerund" expressions used for adventure sports and individual recreational activities. Click at this link to see the list: http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/go_gerund.htm
Gerunds are used after prepositions. Most commonly, these are "verb + preposition" combinations. For reference, see the Verb + Preposition Dictionary and thePhrasal Verb Dictionary (click at the link). You don't have to memorize these resources, you just need to remember that gerunds are used after prepositions!
Remember that there are many "adjective + preposition" combinations and "noun + preposition" combinations in English as well. These are also followed by gerunds.List of Adjective + Preposition Combinations Followed by Gerunds and List of Noun + Preposition Combinations Followed by Gerunds. Once again, you don't have to memorize these resources, you just need to remember that gerunds are used after prepositions!
For Practice, link this page: http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/index.htm
