MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

Here you will find more explanation of the use of gerunds and infinitieves plus some exercises as well.

GUESSING MEANING OF VOCABULARY FROM CONTEXT

Here you have some information that is going to be useful in order to guess the meaning of words just by reading them...

SKIMMING AND SCANNING EXERCISES

In this link you can exercise your skimming and scanning skills. If you don't have it, train with it as soon as possible.
This exercise practices skimming, that means reading very fast to find only the main ideas of a text; and scanning -- that means reading very fast to find specific pieces of information.

HOW TO READ FASTER AND BETTER (Youtube)

This is a video that shows you how to read faster and better. Check it out so that you can improve your reading skill.

Gerunds and Infinitives

Some Important Rules

The form of the verb that ends in -ing is called a Gerund when used as a noun.  Because their function is that of a noun, gerunds may be used as the subject of a sentence:

Running regularly will make you feel better.

Studying requires most of my time during the day.

The -ing form can also be called a present participle; however, the function is that of a verb when used in the present or past progressive:

The teacher is speaking to her students.

If a gerund is combined with a preposition, it is called a Gerund phrase:

Our daughter's life ambition is studying to be a doctor.

Possessive adjectives precede a gerund:

Her working late is making her sick.            I don’t mind him being here.

There are some verbs that must be followed by a gerund.  Example:

I enjoy studying.       Would you mind being quiet?

The following verbs MUST be followed by a gerund:

admit              discuss             finish               miss                 quit                 

stop (=quit)     avoid               resist               give up            postpone

consider          dislike             keep on           practice           think about

recommend     put off            enjoy               mind                                                     

suggest            go + activities

The choice of a gerund or an infinitive, in some instances, does not affect the meaning of  a verb.

a)         I prefer to go to the mall.

b)                  I prefer going to the mall.

Verbs that show emotion and the fulfillment of unfulfillment of an activity may affect the meaning depending on the choice of an infinitive or a gerund.  Gerunds are used to describe actions that are factual, whereas infinitives are used to describe actions that may take place in the time to come or that are possible.

Verbs of Emotion:

           

Factual: Did you like dancing last night?

Possible: Do you like to dance?

Verbs of fulfillment/unfulfillment:

Factual: I started doing my homework and question #1 is really hard.

Possible: Did you start to do your homework?

A Gerund will follow a preposition:

Thank you for helping me.

The negation NOT is always placed in front of the gerund or the infinitive.

I enjoy not having to do study today.

Gerunds are used after the following expressions:

-worth,

-rather than,

-instead of

-This situation is worth looking into

-Rather than studying Chemistry we decided to study Anatomy

-Instead of talking to her boss directly, she sent a message with her secretary.

Verbs of perception- feel, hear, notice, observe, see, smell, watch- may be followed by gerunds, however, never infinitives.  (These may also be followed by the base form of the verb.)

-Have you ever seen an ice skater doing a high jump?

-Do you hear the phone ringing?

When there is only one object complement, some verbs are followed by a gerund complements.

-Doctors advise reducing fats in one’s diet. 

-They urge giving up fried foods. 

-They encourage steaming or boiling food but forbid frying things in oil. 

-Changing food habits requires changing old habits.

Infinitives

However, if there is a second object complement, an infinitive is used. (*see another example)

-The doctor advised me to reduce my fat intake. 

-He urged me to give up fried food. 

-He encouraged me to steam and boil my food but forbade me to fry things in oil. 

-This has required me to change a lot of old habits.

These are some verbs that follow the preceding pattern:

advise             force                allow               tell

persuade         require             permit             remind

urge                forbid              invite               warm

encourage       command        trust                teach  

convince         oder                cause               hire

More examples:          I trust my doctor to do the job right.

                                              They hired him to solve the problems here.

Infinitives as subjects:          To be on time is important in this culture.

Infinitives as objects:            *The asked her to check the letter before it was sent.

Infinitives used in passive construction:

            I was told to go very quickly and quietly.

The following verbs may be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive:

attempt             continue          intend             plan

begin               dread              like                  prefer

hate                 love                 start                 stop

try                   cannot                         stand  

The following verbs are followed by infinitives:

want                need                would like       hope                expect             agree               seem

appear             learn                mean               try                   forget              offer                agree

Reported Speech - Indirect Speech

Indirect Speech (also referred to as 'reported speech') refers to a sentence reporting what someone has said. It is almost always used in spoken English.

• If the reporting verb (i.e. said) is in the past, the reported clause will be in a past form. This form is usually one step back into the past from the original.
For example:
o He said the test was difficult.
o She said she watched TV every day.
o Jack said he came to school every day.

• If simple present, present perfect or the future is used in the reporting verb (i.e. says) the tense is retained.
For example:
o He says the test is difficult.
o She has said that she watches TV every day.
o Jack will say that he comes to school every day.

• If reporting a general truth the present tense will be retained.
For example: The teacher said that phrasal verbs are very important.

Changing Pronouns and Time Signifiers
When changing from direct speech to indirect speech, it is often necessary to change the pronouns to match the subject of the sentence.
For example:
• She said, "I want to bring my children." BECOMES She said she wanted to bring her children.
• Jack said, "My wife went with me to the show." BECOMES Jack said his wife had gone with him to the show.

It is also important to change time words (signifiers) when referring to present, past or future time to match the moment of speaking.
For example:
• She said, "I want to bring my children tomorrow." BECOMES She said she wanted to bring her children the next day.
• Jack said, "My wife went with me to the show yesterday." BECOMES Jack said his wife had gone with him to the show the day before.

Indirect Questions
When reporting questions, it is especially important to pay attention to sentence order. When reporting yes/ no questions connect the reported question using 'if'. When reporting questions using question words (why, where, when, etc.) use the question word.
For example:
• She asked, "Do you want to come with me?" BECOMES She asked me if I wanted to come with her.
• Dave asked, "Where did you go last weekend?" BECOMES Dave asked me where I had gone the previous weekend.
• He asked, "Why are you studying English?" BECOMES She asked me why I was studying English.

The following chart includes sentences changed from quoted speech to reported speech using a past form.

He said, "I live in Paris." He said he lived in Paris.
He said, "I am cooking dinner." He said he was cooking dinner.
He said, "I have visted London twice." He said he had visited London twice.
He said, "I went to New York last week." He said he had gone to New York the week before.
He said, "I had already eaten." He said he had already eaten.
He said, "I am going to find a new job." He said he was going to find a new job.
He said, "I will give Jack a call." He said he would give Jack a call.

Reported speech
We use reported speech when we are saying what other people say, think or believe.
• He says he wants it.
• We think you are right.
• I believe he loves her.
• Yesterday you said you didn't like it but now you do!
• She told me he had asked her to marry him.
• I told you she was ill.
• We thought he was in Australia.

When we are reporting things in the present, future or present perfect we don't change the tense.
• He thinks he loves her.
• I'll tell her you are coming.
• He has said he'll do it.

When we tell people what someone has said in the past, we generally make the tense 'more in the past'.
• You look very nice. = I told him he looked very nice.
• He's working in Siberia now. = She told me he was working in Siberia now.
• Polly has bought a new car. = She said Polly had bought a new car.
• Jo can't come for the weekend. = She said Jo couldn't come for the weekend.
• Paul called and left a message. = He told me Paul had called and had left me a message.
• I'll give you a hand. = He said he would give me a hand.

However, when we are reporting something that was said in the past but is still true, it is not obligatory to make the tense 'more in the past'. The choice is up to the speaker. For example:

"The train doesn't stop here."
• He said the train doesn't stop here.
• He said the train didn't stop here.

"I like Sarah."
• She said she likes Sarah.
• She said she liked Sarah.

When we are reporting what was said, we sometimes have to change other words in the sentence.
We have to change the pronoun if we are reporting what someone else said. Compare these two sentences. In each case the person actually said "I don't want to go."
• I said I didn't want to go.
• Bill said he didn't want to go.

We have to change words referring to 'here and now' if we are reporting what was said in a different place or time.
Compare these two sentences. In each case the person actually said "I'll be there at ten tomorrow."
• (If it is later the same day) He said he would be there at ten tomorrow.
• (If it is the next day) He said he would be there at ten today.

Now compare these two sentences.
• (If we are in a different place) He said he would be there tomorrow at ten.
• (If we are in the place he is coming to) He said he would be here at ten tomorrow.

Exercises of the conditionals

Here you have some exercises for you to practice the grammar part of this fourth competence.

Second and Third conditional

Here you will find the grammar explanation of the new competence: conditionals.

Making speculations in the past

here you will find the document with an explanation about how to make speculation when talking in the past.

How the world could end (in 2012)? (Youtube)

Is it true that the world might end in 2012? Check the video and make your own conclusions.

Facebook bad for you (Youtube)

How good or bad can be to have a facebook or twitter account? This is an interview that may answer this question

The Marie Celeste Ghost Ship (Youtube)

This is a video of a mysterious ghost ship. Check it out!!!

Sayings

This is the file for the ones who were asking for sayings. Hope it can be helpful and useful!!

BREAKING NEWS!!!

FROM THE RESEARCH YOU HAVE DONE, THERE IS A HOMEWORK YOU WILL HAVE TO SEND TO THE E-MAIL "iienglish2@hotmail.com".

FIRST, YOU WILL HAVE TO SEND THE FINDING OF THE SCHOOL RULES IN THE COUNTRIES DURING THE PAST.
BESIDES THAT, AS YOU READ THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DISCRIMINATION OF BLACK PEOPLE IN THE U.S.A., NOW YOU WILL HAVE TO ADD A LETTER TO MARTIN LUTHER KING EXPLAINING WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE LIKED PEOPLE HAD DONE WITH THE BLACKS (PRETENDING AS IF YOU WERE A BLACK TOO). AS IT IS A FORMAL LETTER, YOU WILL HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO WRITE A FORMAL LETTER (LOOK UP HOW FORMAL LETTERS ARE STRUCTURED). TRY TO USE THE GRAMMATICAL POINTS WE HAVE SEEN IN CLASS WHEN WRITING THIS LETTER.

YOU WILL HAVE TO SEND THIS TWO DOCUMENTS TO THE E-MAIL. WRITE YOUR COMPLETE NAMES IN THE FILES YOU SEND. THE HOMEWORK HAS TO BE SENT IN THIS WEEKEND.
SEE YOU ON MONDAY!!!!

HEY, CHECK IT OUT. IT IS URGENT!!!!

AS THE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN, I WANT YOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS TIME. WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IS TO SEARCH SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TWO ISSUES:

1- CARRY OUT AN INVESTIGATION ABOUT HOW SCHOOL RULES WERE IN THE PAST IN AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. THEN MENTION FIVE OBLIGATIONS THE STUDENTS IN THOSE SCHOOLS WERE SUPPOSED TO DO, OBLIGED TO, OR HAD TO. YOU CAN TAKE AS EXAMPLES COUNTRIES LIKE JAPAN, UNITED STATES, GERMANY, RUSSIA, AMONG OTHERS VERY RELEVANT.

2- SEARCH ABOUT WHAT IT HAS HAPPENED WITH BLACKS DISCRIMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. POINT OUT EVERYTHING RELATED TO THE TREATMENT THOSE PEOPLE HAD TO RECEIVE.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, OR SOMETHING IS NOT CLEAR AT ALL JUST LET A COMMENT SO I CAN EXPLAIN IT BETTER.

TAKE CARE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS "LITTLE VACATION".

Should have in powerpoint

This is another presentation in powerpoint with a brief explanation of the use of such a "Should have"

Should have in the youtube

This is a video in which there is an explanation about the use of "Should have"