Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

B1-B2

Gerund or infinitive? Ask BBC Learning English

BBC Learning English

53K views 7 months ago

Warm-up Questions

When you speak English, which is harder for you: choosing a gerund (-ing) or an infinitive (to + verb)? Why?
What grammar questions would you like to ask BBC Learning English about gerunds and infinitives?
Where do you usually see this grammar in real life (emails, work, school, social media)?

Up Next

The Power of Soft Skills: How They Shape Your Career and Life | Vantage With Palki Sharma | N18G Firstpost
Why Is Ocean Water Salty? | Earth's Ocean | Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz Peekaboo Kidz
AQNav: The Future of Navigation with AI and Quantum | SandboxAQ SandboxAQ
3 tips to boost your confidence – TED-Ed TED-Ed
ENGLISH SPEECH | EMMA WATSON: Gender Equality (English Subtitles) English Speeches

Start With: Word Definition

Order: Alphabetical Random

…

Gerund or infinitive? Ask BBC Learning English

Rules: after prepositions and after adjectives (00:00 – 01:36)

Transcript will load here…

1. According to the first rule, what form should a verb take after a preposition?

Gerund (-ing form)
Present continuous
Past simple
Infinitive (to + verb)

2. In the phrase “I’m looking forward to …”, what is the word “to”?

An adverb
A conjunction
Part of the infinitive
A preposition

3. After an adjective, what form is generally used to add a verb?

Gerund (-ing form)
Past participle
No verb is allowed after adjectives
Infinitive form

Gerund or infinitive? Ask BBC Learning English

Using gerunds/infinitives as subjects + verb patterns (01:36 – 03:26)

Transcript will load here…

1. When a verb is the subject of a sentence, which form is generally used?

Gerund (-ing form)
Infinitive (to + verb) only
Present simple
Past simple

2. How does the speaker describe using an infinitive as the subject of a sentence?

Impossible in English
Very modern and informal
Very old fashioned and quite formal sounding
Only used in American English

3. What general pattern is mentioned for verbs about plans and intentions?

They are normally followed by the gerund
They cannot be followed by another verb
They must be followed by a noun
They are normally followed by the infinitive

Gerund or infinitive? Ask BBC Learning English

When meaning changes: 'stop' + gerund vs 'stop' + infinitive (03:26 – 04:36)

Transcript will load here…

1. What does “I stopped drinking coffee” mean in the video?

I stopped the activity of drinking coffee (I don’t drink it anymore)
I stopped working because coffee was finished
I paused briefly to drink coffee
I plan to start drinking coffee later

2. What does the speaker say about 'stop' + infinitive?

It means you stop a different activity in order to do the infinitive action
It means the activity in the gerund finishes
It is only used after prepositions
It is never correct

3. What does the speaker ask viewers to do at the end?

Only study gerunds
Buy a grammar book
Send questions to their email address
Stop using infinitives

Gerund or infinitive? Ask BBC Learning English

Transcript will load here…

1. Which rule is stated most clearly in the video?

After a preposition, use the gerund (-ing)
After every adjective, use the gerund (-ing)
Gerunds are only used in informal English
After every verb, use the infinitive (to + verb)

2. What does the video say about verb patterns (two verbs together)?

Only plans and intentions use the gerund
Some verbs take gerunds, some take infinitives, and some can take both
All verbs can be followed by either gerund or infinitive with no change in meaning
Verbs are never followed by other verbs in English

3. What is the main warning given about the word “to”?

“To” is only used in formal writing
Sometimes “to” is a preposition, so it needs -ing after it
“To” is always a conjunction
“To” is always part of the infinitive

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

Gerund or infinitive? Ask BBC Learning English

Which rule from the video is easiest to remember, and which is hardest? Give your own example sentence.
The video says “to” can be a preposition in “look forward to.” What other phrases do you know where this is true (or where people often make mistakes)?
Do you prefer learning grammar through rules, examples, or noticing patterns in real English? Why?
Describe a personal habit you stopped doing and something you stopped to do (use both patterns with 'stop').