ANALYSIS OF INFINITIVES, GERUNDS, AND THEIR SYNTACTIC ROLES IN ENGLISH GRAMMAR

ABSTRACT

This article analyzes English grammar offers a range of tools for expression, and infinitives, gerunds from the non-finite verb forms, are among the most useful. This article explores the functions of these forms, clarifying how they contribute to sentence structure and meaning. By comparing their roles and providing clear examples, it aims to make these grammatical concepts accessible and practical for anyone looking to improve their understanding of English.

Keywords: non-finite verb forms, Infinitives, Gerunds.

Functions of the Infinitive

Infinitives are easy to spot: they're usually the word "to" paired with the base form of a verb, like "to explore" or "to understand". But don't let their simple form fool you! Infinitives are grammatical chameleons, capable of taking on various roles within a sentence. [1]

• The Infinitive as the Subject: An infinitive can be the star of the sentence, acting as the subject. In this role, it often expresses an abstract idea or a general concept. For instance, in the sentence "To read is enjoyable" or "To succeed requires hard work," the infinitives "to read" and "to succeed" are the subjects. [2]
• The Infinitive as the Object: Certain verbs allow an infinitive to follow directly as the object. Consider "She wants to learn Spanish" or "They agreed to help us." Here, "to learn" and "to help" are the objects of "wants" and "agreed". [3]
• The Infinitive as an Adverbial Modifier: Infinitives can also provide extra information, acting as adverbial modifiers. They can tell us the purpose, as in "She studies hard to pass the exam" or "He left early to catch the train". They can also indicate a result, like "He grew up to become a famous scientist," or a cause or reason, such as "I am happy to see you". [4]
• The Infinitive as an Attribute (Adjective Modifier): Just like an adjective, an infinitive can modify a noun, providing more detail. Examples include "I have a lot of work to do," where "to do" modifies "work," and "She is the best person to ask about this," where "to ask" modifies "person". [2]
• The Infinitive as a Nominative Predicate: Following a linking verb (like "is," "am," or "are"), an infinitive can act as a subject complement. In sentences like "Her dream is to become a doctor" or "My plan is to travel the world," the infinitive renames or describes the subject. [5]

Functions of the Gerund

Gerunds are formed by adding "-ing" to the base form of a verb, such as "exploring" or "painting". What makes them special is that they function as nouns. This allows them to occupy many of the same slots in a sentence that a regular noun would. [4]

• Gerund as a Subject: A gerund can be the subject of a sentence, as in "Swimming keeps her fit." Here, "swimming" is the subject of the verb "keeps”. [2]
• Gerund as an Object: Gerunds can also serve as direct objects of verbs. For example, in "She enjoys dancing," "dancing" is the direct object of "enjoys". [3]
• Gerund as the Object of a Preposition: You'll often find gerunds following prepositions, as in "They succeeded by working hard," where "working hard" is the object of the preposition "by". [4]
• Gerund as an Adverbial Modifier: While this role can overlap with participles, gerunds can modify verbs, adjectives, or clauses, indicating things like purpose, cause, manner, or time. An example is, "After finishing the task, he rested," where "finishing the task" modifies "rested". Another example is "She improved her skills by practicing daily" where "practicing daily" modifies "improved". [3]
• Gerund as an Attribute (Modifier of a Noun): A gerund can act like an adjective and modify a noun, specifying its purpose or nature. Take "This is a swimming pool," where "swimming" modifies "pool". [6]
• Gerund as a Nominative Predicate (Subject Complement): Like infinitives, gerunds can complement the subject after a linking verb. In the sentence "Her favorite activity is hiking," "hiking" renames or describes "activity". [1]

Infinitives and Gerunds: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Infinitives and gerunds both originate from verbs and frequently serve similar purposes in sentences. Despite this, they carry different nuances and aren’t always interchangeable. Let’s explore how they compare across five important grammatical functions:

1. Subject:
   
   • "To sing in the choir brings joy" (infinitive).
   • "Singing in the choir brings joy" (gerund).

Infinitives here emphasize the action as an abstract concept, while gerunds highlight the action itself as an activity.

2. Object:
   
   • "She plans to sing tomorrow" (infinitive).
   • "She enjoys singing every day" (gerund).

Infinitives often follow verbs of intent, while gerunds follow verbs of enjoyment.

3. Adverbial Modifier:
   
   • "She practices to sing better" (infinitive).
   • "Singing, she improves her voice" (gerund).

Infinitives often express purpose ("why"), and gerunds describe manner or simultaneous action.

4. Nominative Predicate:
   
   • "Her dream is to sing professionally" (infinitive).
   • "Her joy is singing with friends" (gerund).

Infinitives can indicate aims, while gerunds describe general activities.

5. Attribute (Modifying a Noun):
   
   • "She has a song to sing" (infinitive).
   • "She enjoys the singing of songs" (gerund).

Infinitives often express purpose ("a song for singing"), and gerunds name the action associated with the noun.

It's important to note that these nuances mean you can't always swap an infinitive for a gerund and vice versa. For example, "enjoy" requires a gerund ("enjoys dancing," not "enjoys to dance"), and "want" typically takes an infinitive ("wants to dance," not "wants dancing").

Conclusion

Understanding the nuances of infinitives and gerunds, is a key step toward mastering the English language. By recognizing their functions and using them correctly, you can express yourself with greater precision and clarity. These verb forms, while sometimes challenging, are essential tools for effective communication, adding depth and flexibility to your writing and speech.

References:

1. Quirk, R., Greenbaum, S., Leech, G., & Svartvik, J. (1985). A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. London: Longman.
2. Swan, M. (2005). Practical English Usage. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
3. Celce-Murcia, M., & Larsen-Freeman, D. (1999). The Grammar Book: An ESL/EFL Teacher’s Course (2nd ed.). Heinle & Heinle.
4. Huddleston, R., & Pullum, G. K. (2002). The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge University Press.
5. Izrailevich, E.E. (1978). On the Grammar of English Verbs. Moscow: Nauka.
6. Jespersen, O. (1924). The Philosophy of Grammar. London: Allen & Unwin.