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17. GERUND &

INFINITIVE
 Gerunds & Infinitives-1

1. ______ fresh bread every morning is his job.

(A) Baking
(B) To baked
(C) Bake
(D) Bakes

2. He made a lot of money ______ and ______ houses.

(A) buy, sell

(B) buying, selling
(C) to buy, to sell
(D) to buy, selling

3. He is not used ______ on a boat.

(A) sail
(B) to sail
(C) sailing
(D) to sailing

4. We forced her ______ the medicine.

(A) take
(B) taking

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 (C) to take
(D) took

5. You had better ______ now.

(A) to leave
(B) leave
(C) leaving
(D) to leaving

6. ______ the burglar, the policeman radioed for help.

(A) Watch
(B) To watching
(C) To watch
(D) Watching

7. Don't eat the ______ food.

(A) spoil
(B) spoiling
(C) spoilt
(D) to spoil

8. The manager dismissed the clerk, ______ to do the work himself.

(A) preferring
(B) prefer
(C) to prefer
(D) to preferring

9. We hurried there only ______ everyone gone.

(A) find
(B) to find
(C) finding
(D) found

10. Please help me _____ the rat.

(A) catching
(B) caught
(C) to catching
(D) catch

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 ANSWER
1A 2B 3D 4C 5B 6D 7C 8A 9B 10D

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-2

1. He received some ______ news.

(A) disturb
(B) to disturb
(C) disturbing
(D) disturbed

2. Everyone is eager ______ the class.

(A) to attend
(B) attending
(C) attend
(D) attended

3. I suggest ______ a search party.

(A) to form
(B) forming
(C) form
(D) to forming

4. Don't make him ______ such a naughty thing.

(A) doing
(B) done
(C) to do
(D) do

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 5. The ______ committee members received a round of applause.

(A) elect
(B) elected
(C) electing
(D) to elect

6. You were supposed ______ our permission.

(A) to ask
(B) asking
(C) ask
(D) asked

7. ______ with the job, we packed our tools.

(A) To satisfy
(B) Satisfy
(C) Satisfied
(D) Satisfying

8. He will let us _____ the typewriter.

(A) use
(B) using
(C) to use
(D) to using

9. I hope you do not mind ______ the table.

(A) clear
(B) to clear
(C) clearing
(D) to clearing

10. They used ______ on a ship.

(A) to work
(B) to working
(C) work
(D) worked

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 Answer
1C 2A 3B 4D 5B 6A 7C 8A 9C 10A

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-3

Replace the incorrect very form with a gerund .

1. Help one's friends is a good habit to develop.

2. I don't remember went with you to the cinema that day.

3. I don't enjoy spend all my money on books and stationery.

4. Some old people face problems such as don't have homes.

5. Become old is a normal part of life so grow old graciously.

6. Drive a car is not as comfortable as travel by train.

7. Can't you help instead of just stand there ?

8. Have you finished write the letter to Aunt Rita ?

9. Who's going to do the cook ? I'm washing up today.

10. In spite of try so hard, I always make mistakes.

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 Answer
1. Helping one's friends is a good habit to develop.
2. I don't remember going with you to the cinema that day.
3. I don't enjoy spending all my money on books and stationery.
4. Some old people face problems such as not having homes.
5. Becoming old is a normal part of life so grow old graciously.
6. Driving a car is not as comfortable as traveling by train.
7. Can't you help instead of just standing there ?
8. Have you finished writing the letter to Aunt Rita ?
9. Who's going to do the cooking ? I'm washing up today.
10. In spite of trying so hard, I always make mistakes.

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-4

Complete the sentences with suitable gerunds.

1. During the holidays I always enjoy ______ in the hills.

2. He likes ______ stamps but I prefer ______ butterflies.

3. He is fond of ______ tricks on people.

4. She is good at ______ riddles.

5. ______ a dress always takes Millie a very long time.

6. He thinks that ______ is not a very good sport because innocent

animals get killed.

7. ______ to play the violin takes many years.

8. I knew that ______ him was out of the question because his phone was
disconnected.

9. That car is not worth ______. It's too old.

10. The doctor said my wrist needs ______ for a few days so I can't play
tennis this week.

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 11. Your outside walls needs ______ but your walls inside are still clean.

12. ______ is a good form of exercise but you need a good pair of shoes.

13. Is it wise ______ extra food when you're not sure they're coming ?

14. That car is filthy. It needs ______.

15. My mother can't come to the phone now. She's busy ______.

Answer

1. walking
2. collecting, collecting
3. playing
4. solving
5. Sewing
6. hunting
7. Learning
8. calling
9. selling/repairing
10. resting
11. painting
12. Jogging/Running
13. cooking/buying
14. washing
15. cooking/sweeping

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-5

Read the following sentences carefully and choose either the gerund or the
infinitive to provide the correct meaning to the sentence

1. I regret ( to say / saying ) that you have failed your driving test.

2. On the way up to Los Angeles we stopped ( to visit / visiting ) my uncle.

3. Have you ever fried ( to put / putting ) a little more salt in your curry ?

4. I think you will regret ( to tell / telling ) him all of your secrets.

5. Can you remember ( to visit / visiting ) this town before ? I think, I can.

6. I will never forget ( to see / seeing ) the sea for the first time.

7. I tried ( to see / seeing ) you but your secretary said you weren't available.

8. I stopped ( to play / playing ) rugby after my serious injury.

9. Don't forget ( to buy / buying ) the newspaper; I want to see the soccer results.

10. Can you remember ( to bring / bringing ) home some eggs ? There are none left.

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Answer
1. I regret to say that you have failed your driving test.
2. On the way up to Los Angeles we stopped to visit my uncle.
3. Have you ever fried putting a little more salt in your curry ?
4. I think you will regret telling him all of your secrets.
5. Can you remember visiting this town before ? I think, I can.
6. I will never forget seeing the sea for the first time.
7. I tried to see you but your secretary said you weren't available.
8. I stopped playing rugby after my serious injury.
9. Don't forget to buy the newspaper; I want to see the soccer results.
10. Can you remember to bring home some eggs ? There are none left.

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-6

Complete the extract by providing the correct form of the verb in

brackets. Remember you can choose a gerund, an infinitive or a bare
infinitive.

Good evening. This is the nine o'clock news.

Fighting continues (1) ______ ( rage ) in Xeronia despite the attempts of the UN Secretary-General to
bring the warring factions to a meeting. When interviewed today he said he had spent a considerable
amount of time (2) ______ ( discuss ) the situation with the Commander of the UN peace-keeping
force but they had decided not (3) ______ ( intervene ) in the fighting since they anticipated (4)
______ ( meet ) fierce resistance from both sides.

According to official sources, troops loyal to General Yores had managed (5) ______ ( capture ) two
key positions but militia groups loyal to the freedom movement had attempted (6) ______ ( retake )
the position several times today.

In an interview this afternoon, General Yores denied (7) ______ ( use ) chemical weapons against the
freedom fighters but would not (8) ______ ( comment ) on reports that his forces planned (9) ______
( mount ) a huge offensive over the next 48 hours and that certain of his elite guard had volunteered
(10) ______ ( go ) on suicide missions to kill key figures within the freedom movement.

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Our special correspondent in Xeronia tried (11) _____ ( talk ) to members of the Central Committee
of the freedom movement but security around them was so tight that we regret (12) ______ ( say )
that so far they have refused (13) ______ ( see ) any representatives of the international press.
However, sources close to the Central Committee denied (14) ______ ( lose ) any positions today and
reiterated that the freedom fighters would (15) ______ ( fight ) until the last man to liberate their
beloved Xeronia.

And now, news o the latest space shuttle ...

Answer
Good evening. This is the nine o'clock news.

Fighting continues to rage in Xeronia despite the attempts of the UN Secretary-General to bring the
warring factions to a meeting. When interviewed today he said he had spent a considerable amount of
time discussing the situation with the Commander of the UN peace-keeping force but they had
decided not to intervene in the fighting since they anticipated meeting fierce resistance from both
sides.

According to official sources, troops loyal to General Yores had managed to capture two key
positions but militia groups loyal to the freedom movement had attempted to retake the position
several times today.

In an interview this afternoon, General Yores denied usingchemical weapons against the freedom
fighters but would not comment on reports that his forces planned to mount a huge offensive over
the next 48 hours and that certain of his elite guard had volunteered to go on suicide missions to kill
key figures within the freedom movement.

Our special correspondent in Xeronia tried to talk / talkingto members of the Central Committee of
the freedom movement but security around them was so tight that we regret to say that so far they
have refused to see any representatives of the international press. However, sources close to the
Central Committee denied losing any positions today and reiterated that the freedom fighters
would fightuntil the last man to liberate their beloved Xeronia.

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-7

Underline either the bare infinitive or the gerund in brackets to

satisfactorily complete the sense of the following sentences.
1. When I went into the house I suddenly heard a man ( shout / shouting ) my name.

2. As we drove through the village we could hear the birds ( sing / singing ) merrily.

3. We sat on the beach and watched the fishermen ( pull / pulling ) in their nets. We
bought some fish from them.

4. Alan heard the telephone ( ring / ringing ) so he jumped out of bed to answer it.

5. I went to watch my son ( play / playing ) football but had to go home before the end of
the match.

6. As Rose was walking to the shop, she saw a terrible accident ( happen / happening ).

7. We listened to him ( play / playing ) his guitar. He actually plays very well.

8. We noticed her ( go / going ) into the bank. She came out a few seconds later with her
husband.

9. I saw her ( go / going ) to work this morning but I haven't seen her since.

10. The witness claimed that he had seen the accused ( shoot / shooting ) her husband.

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 Answer

1. When I went into the house I suddenly heard a man ( shout / shouting ) my name.
2. As we drove through the village we could hear the birds ( sing / singing ) merrily.
3. We sat on the beach and watched the fishermen ( pull / pulling ) in their nets. We
bought some fish from them.
4. Alan heard the telephone ( ring / ringing ) so he jumped out of bed to answer it.
5. I went to watch my son ( play / playing ) football but had to go home before the end of
the match.
6. As Rose was walking to the shop, she saw a terrible accident ( happen / happening ).
7. We listened to him ( play / playing ) his guitar. He actually plays very well.
8. We noticed her ( go / going ) into the bank. She came out a few seconds later with her
husband.
9. I saw her ( go / going ) to work this morning but I haven't seen her since.
10. The witness claimed that he had seen the accused ( shoot / shooting ) her husband.

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-8

Fill in the blanks with a gerund formed from the verb provided .

Example : In the evening, the retirees enjoy playing snooker.

1. ______ in moderation is the secret of a happy, healthy life. ( live )

2. Although a foreigner, Sidney enjoys ______ the local delicacies. ( eat )

3. ______ full attention in class will make you a good student. ( pay )

4. My hobbies are ______ and ______ books. ( read, write )

5. When writing an essay, you must refrain from ______ about the bush. ( beat )

6. As for me, I prefer ______ snooker with my friends to ______ by the river. ( play, fish )

7. ______ is one of the best forms of exercise for pensioners ( walk )

8. ______ the environment is the concern of responsible citizens. ( conserve )

9. Why don't you try ______ for the post ? You stand a good chance. ( apply )

10. I find that ______ is a good form of relaxation. ( read )

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 Answer
1. Living in moderation is the secret of a happy, healthy life.
2. Although a foreigner, Sidney enjoys eating the local delicacies.
3. Paying full attention in class will make you a good student.
4. My hobbies are reading and writing books.
5. When writing an essay, you must refrain from beating about the bush.
6. As for me, I prefer playing snooker with my friends to fishingby the river.
7. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise for pensioners.
8. Conserving the environment is the concern of responsible citizens.
9. Why don't you try applying for the post ? You stand a good chance.
10. I find that reading is a good form of relaxation.

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-9

Fill in the blanks with a present or past participle formed from the verb
provided.

Example :
The damaged car was towed to the work shop.
We could see smoke coming out of the house.

1. The captain could hear the sailors ______ about the food. ( complain )

2. ______ cold, Adam switched off the air-conditioning. ( feel )

3. The passengers rushed out of the ______ bus in the nick of time. ( burn )

4. Be careful. There are ______ pieces of glass on the ground. ( break )

5. ______ by he noise, the teacher asked the whole class to stand up. ( annoy )

6. ______ by the sudden appearance of the police, the thief fainted. ( shock )

7. ______ beyond repair, the car was sold as scraps. ( damage )

8. Anne sat down patiently ______ out the 2000 pieces of the jigsaw puzzle. ( sort )

9. You can see many children ______ in the children's playground. ( play )

10. The old man sat down on the chair ______ nonstop, ______ by the ghostly experience. (
tremble, terrify )

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 Answer

1. The captain could hear the sailors complaining about the food.
2. Feeling cold, Adam switched off the air-conditioning.
3. The passengers rushed out of the burning bus in the nick of time.
4. Be careful. There are broken pieces of glass on the ground.
5. Annoyed by he noise, the teacher asked the whole class to stand up.
6. Shocked by the sudden appearance of the police, the thief fainted.
7. Damaged beyond repair, the car was sold as scraps.
8. Anne sat down patiently sorting out the 2000 pieces of the jigsaw puzzle.
9. You can see many children playing in the children's playground.
10. The old man sat down on the chair trembling nonstop,terrified by the ghostly
experience.

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-10

Rewrite the following sentences using gerunds .

Her mother worried about ( I; come ) home late.

Her mother worried about my coming home late

1. I can understand ( you; want ) to go, but are you capable of ( look ) after yourself ?
2. A student sitting for an examination should rely on ( study ) and not on ( guess ).
3. Do you mind ( he; smoke ) a pipe ? He can't get used to ( do ) without a smoke after dinner.
4. His mother dislikes ( he; nod ) and ( yawn ) at breakfast time.
5. I hope that your uncle agrees to ( you; come ) to visit me. ( See ) you in person is better than (
write ) to you.
6. She is afraid of ( Philip; lose ) his way in the dark. But I heard ( she; tell ) him to bring a torch
along.
7. The boy succeeded in ( swim ) the full length of the pool. Now he intends to make himself good at
( dive ).
8. Mother hates ( us; eat ) and ( drink ) between meals. But we can't help ( do ) so as we have been
doing it ever since we were young.
9. ( Teach ) that class is a very hard task. Every teacher complains of ( the pupils; make ) far too
much noise.
10. She couldn't resist ( buy ) those red apples.
11. There's no point in ( urge ) the lazy boy to run the errand for you. ( Sleep ) the whole day is all that
he ever thinks of.
12. That mechanic is skilled at ( repair ) cars.
13. They objected to ( us; leave ) so soon, but we can't risk ( leave ) late as we have to catch the last
bus home.
14. The blind are often skilful at ( do ) things with their hands.
15. He enjoys ( rest ) after ( finish ) his work.
16. I remember ( she; borrow ) a book from me, but I don't remember ( she; return ) it at all.

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 17. It's no use ( hurry ) to finish your work and ( make ) a mess of it in the end.
18. My father doesn't like the idea of ( I; learn ) to ride a motor-cycle although I keep ( tell ) him that I
won't come to any harm on it.
19. I don't recollect ( you; say ) that you wanted to come. ( Make ) room for you now is going to be a
problem.
20. They are intent on ( get ) as much money as they can for their club. ( Wash ) cars, ( weed ) gardens
and ( do ) house-chores are all part of their campaign.

Answer
1. I can understand your wanting to go, but are you capable of lookingafter yourself ?
2. A student sitting for an examination should rely on studying and not on guessing.
3. Do you mind his smoking a pipe ? He can't get used to doingwithout a smoke after dinner.
4. His mother dislikes his nodding and yawning at breakfast time.
5. I hope that your uncle agrees to your coming to visit me. Seeing you in person is better
than writing to you.
6. She is afraid of Philip's losing his way in the dark. But I heard her telling him to bring a torch
along.
7. The boy succeeded in swimming the full length of the pool. Now he intends to make himself good
at diving.
8. Mother hates our eating and drinking between meals. But we can't help doing so as we have
been doing it ever since we were young.
9. Teaching that class is a very hard task. Every teacher complains of the pupils' making far too
much noise.
10. She couldn't resist buying those red apples.
11. There's no point in urging the lazy boy to run the errand for you. Sleeping the whole day is all
that he ever thinks of.
12. That mechanic is skilled at repairing cars.
13. They objected to our leaving so soon, but we can't risk leaving late as we have to catch the last
bus home.
14. The blind are often skilful at doing things with their hands.
15. He enjoys resting after finishing his work.
16. I remember her borrowing a book from me, but I don't remember her returning it at all.
17. It's no use hurrying to finish your work and making a mess of it in the end.
18. My father doesn't like the idea of my learning to ride a motor-cycle although I keep telling him
that I won't come to any harm on it.
19. I don't recollect your saying that you wanted to come. Making room for you now is going to be a
problem.
20. They are intent on getting as much money as they can for their
club. Washing cars, weeding gardens and doing house-chores are all part of their campaign.

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-11

Give the gerund or the infinitive form of the verb in the brackets .

I don't remember ( hear ) you say that you wanted ( come ).

I don't remember hearing you say that you wanted to come.

1. If you like ( sing ), you should try ( attend ) our choir practices.
2. ( Smoke ) causes ill health. I'd advise you ( give ) up the habit.
3. The students who are sitting for the examination have been told ( stop ) ( write ).
4. Don't forget ( get ) the magazine back from him. I remember ( lend ) it to him a few weeks ago.
5. It is easier ( say ) something than ( do ) it; ( say ) it is one thing but ( do ) it is entirely different.
6. ( Rise ) early gives me sufficient time ( take ) a walk and also ( cook ) breakfast.
7. If you want ( learn ) ( swim ), you mustn't be afraid of the water.
8. It is delightful ( watch ) the ( decorate ) of the house.
9. It's no use ( argue ) with him. He will only refuse ( help ) us.
10. Remember ( write ) down all that you have seen on this trip.
11. ( Learn ) by ( see ) and ( do ) is a relative new approach taken by few countries.
12. They have made up their minds not ( play ) against that team.
13. She couldn't bear ( part ) from her family. She insisted on ( come ) home every week.
14. ( Have ) an aquarium at home has enabled the children ( learn ) many things about fish.
15. It's a waste of breath ( talk ) to her. She will not agree ( help ) us with this project.
16. ( Memorize ) each lesson is not a good way ( study ).
17. I hate ( wait ) for anyone. You must try ( come ) on time.
18. He did not forget ( sign ) the documents before ( post ) them.
19. As the girls were afraid of ( explore ) the big dark cave, the boys decided not ( explore ) it either.
20. Have you finished ( eat ) your lunch ? I have something here for you ( repair ).

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 Answer

1. If you like singing, you should try attending our choir practices.
2. Smoking causes ill health. I'd advise you to give up the habit.
3. The students who are sitting for the examination have been told to stop writing.
4. Don't forget to get the magazine back from him. I remember lendingit to him a few weeks ago.
5. It is easier to say something than to do it; saying it is one thing butdoing it is entirely different.
6. Rising early gives me sufficient time to take a walk and also to cookbreakfast.
7. If you want to learn swimming, you mustn't be afraid of the water.
8. It is delightful to watch the decorating of the house.
9. It's no use arguing with him. He will only refuse to help us.
10. Remember to write down all that you have seen on this trip.
11. Learning by seeing and doing is a relative new approach taken by few countries.
12. They have made up their minds not to play against that team.
13. She couldn't bear to part from her family. She insisted on cominghome every week.
14. Having an aquarium at home has enabled the children to learn many things about fish.
15. It's a waste of breath talking to her. She will not agree to help us with this project.
16. Memorizing each lesson is not a good way to study.
17. I hate waiting for anyone. You must try to come on time.
18. He did not forget to sign the documents before posting them.
19. As the girls were afraid of exploring the big dark cave, the boys decided not to explore it either.
20. Have you finished eating your lunch ? I have something here for you to repair.

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-12

Use an appropriate participle form of the word in the brackets .

He is a very ( talent ) man.

He is a very talented man.

1. He took part in the ( shoot ) competition and won first prize.

2. We looked helplessly at the ( burn ) house.
3. The film that we saw last night was most ( bore ).
4. The ( depress ) man felt like killing himself.
5. He stepped on a piece of ( break ) bottle and cut his foot.
6. The ( tatter ) bag was thrown into the dustbin.
7. The language ( speak ) here is a mixture of Spanish and Urdu.
8. The glorious sunset is always an ( inspire ) sight.
9. The woman lifted the ( cry ) baby and rocked it in her arms.
10. I saw the children ( play ) at the playground.
11. The man ( water ) the plants is my uncle
12. I was glad to find my pupils ( read ) quietly in the library.
13. He looked around him fearfully, like a ( frighten ) animal.
14. I felt something ( crawl ) up my leg.
15. The girls, ( bore ) with their work, looked about them for something more interesting.
16. There's someone ( sleep ) on the couch. Shall we wake him up ?
17. That old seaman told us a most ( amaze ) story last night.
18. A ( grow ) child needs adequate food and sufficient hours of sleep.
19. He was ( heartbreak ) to find his house ( burn ) down to the ground.
20. The ( escape ) convict, ( surround ) by the police, decided to surrender.

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 Answer
1. He took part in the shooting competition and won first prize.
2. We looked helplessly at the burning house.
3. The film that we saw last night was most boring.
4. The depressed man felt like killing himself.
5. He stepped on a piece of broken bottle and cut his foot.
6. The tattered bag was thrown into the dustbin.
7. The language spoken here is a mixture of Spanish and Urdu.
8. The glorious sunset is always an inspiring sight.
9. The woman lifted the crying baby and rocked it in her arms.
10. I saw the children playing at the playground.
11. The man watering the plants is my uncle
12. I was glad to find my pupils reading quietly in the library.
13. He looked around him fearfully, like a frightened animal.
14. I felt something crawling up my leg.
15. The girls, bored with their work, looked about them for something more interesting.
16. There's someone sleeping on the couch. Shall we wake him up ?
17. That old seaman told us a most amazing story last night.
18. A growing child needs adequate food and sufficient hours of sleep.
19. He was heartbroken to find his house burnt down to the ground.
20. The escaped convict, surrounded by the police, decided to surrender.

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-13

Join each pair of sentences using a present or past participle.

The travelers were tired and hungry. They sat down for a rest.
Tired and hungry, the travelers sat down for a rest.

1. We stood on the balcony. We could see the whole park.

2. The old man was limping across the road. He was knocked down by a taxi.
3. She says that she can smell the rice. The rice is burning.
4. We were walking through the park. We saw a bed of lovely dahlias.
5. My father was stunned by the news. He could find no words to say.
6. Consider the position as a whole. Don't you think that the is much better off
than before ?
7. He tripped over the bucket. The bucket contained water.
8. He was disgusted by what he saw. He averted his face.
9. He saw the farm-hand. He was setting fire to the barn.
10. The scuba dives found the wrecked launch. It was covered with weeds.
11. Alan saw that it was raining. He hunted around for his raincoat.
12. The dog was securely tied to the tree. It could only bark at the stranger.
13. She was born and bred in the country. She was bewildered by the sights in
the city.
14. The woman looked about her perplexedly. She wondered where the children
had disappeared to.
15. She hid her face in her hands. She was terrified by what she had seen
16. My work was all completed. I got ready to o home.
17. The concert was a great success. It was staged by the kindergarten children.
18.
She tossed and turned in bed. She was thinking of the bleak future ahead.

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 19. Christmas Day is a holiday. We needn't go to the office.
20. We crossed the mountainous border. Malcolm acted as guide.

Answer
1. Standing on the balcony, we could see the whole park.
2. Limping across the road, the old man was knocked down by a taxi.
3. She says that she can smell the rice burning.
4. Walking through the park, we saw a bed of lovely dahlias.
5. Stunned by the news, my father could find no words to say.
6. Considering the position as a whole, don't you think that he is much better off than before ?
7. He tripped over the bucket containing water.
8. Disgusted by what he saw, he averted his face.
9. He saw the farm-hand setting fire to the barn.
10. The scuba divers found the wrecked launch covered with weeds.
11. Seeing that it was raining, Alan hunted around for his raincoat.
12. Securely tied to the tree, the dog could only bark at the stranger.
13. Born and bred in the country, she was bewildered by the sights of the city.
14. Looking about her perplexedly, the woman wondered where the children had disappeared to./ The
woman looked about her perplexedly, wondering where the cildren had disappeared to.
15. She hid her face in her hands, terrified by what she had seen.
16. my work all completed, I got ready to go home.
17. The concert staged by the kindergarten children was a great success.
18. She tossed and turned in bed, thinking of the bleak future ahead.
19. Christmas Day being a holiday, we needn't go to the office.
20. We crossed the mountainous border, Malcolm acting as guide.

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-14

Replace the clauses with correct participial phrases .

I was very hungry as I had not eaten for almost two days.
I was very hungry, not having eaten for almost two days.

1. As he was feeling sleepy, he went to bed early.

2. As he was stunned by their words, he did not say a thing.
3. Since we had finished our work, we were allowed to have a short break.
4. I saw the actors and actresses who were preparing themselves for the final scene.
5. As we were cycling along the track, we saw a woodcutter.
6. The soldiers who were trained by this captain were very good fighters.
7. After he had washed the car, the boy wiped the windscreen.
8. I saw the lifeguard who was rescuing the swimmer.
9. We did not leave the house as we had been told not to do so.
10. As they had heard the story before they did not pay any attention.
11. The villagers, who had been warned of the enemy's approach, set up barricades outside the village.
12. As he saw that the weather was fine, he went out for a walk.
13. The construction workers, who had worked at tall buildings before, did not feel dizzy at all.
14. The man who was wanted by the police escaped to another country.
15. As he was determined to pass his examination, he studied very hard.
16. The children do not like fish that is cooked that way.
17. As he drove through the countryside, he saw fields and fields of corn.
18. As she is a sensitive person, she is easily hurt.
19. The woman who is giving away the prizes is the wife of the mayor.
20. The boys who were teasing the newcomer were told off roundly by the prefect.

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 Answer

1. Feeling sleepy, he went to bed.

2. Stunned by their words, he did not say a thing.
3. Having finished our work, we were allowed to have a short break.
4. I saw the actors and actresses preparing themselves for the final scene.
5. Cycling along the track, we saw a woodcutter.
6. The soldiers trained by this captain, were very good fighters.
7. Having washed the car, the boy wiped the windscreen.
8. I saw the lifeguard rescuing the swimmer.
9. We did not leave the house, having been told not to do so.
10. Having heard the story before, they did not pay any attention.
11. The villagers, having been warned of the enemy's approach, set up barricades outside the village.
12. Seeing that the weather was fine, he went out for a walk.
13. Having worked at tall buildings before, the construction workers did not feel dizzy at all.
14. The man, wanted by the police, escaped to another country.
15. Determined to pass his examination, he studied very hard.
16. The children do not like fish cooked that way.
17. Driving through the countryside, he saw fields and fields of corn.
18. Being a sensitive person, she is easily hurt.
19. The woman giving away the prizes, is the wife of the mayor.
20. The boys teasing the newcomer, were told off roundly by the prefect.

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-15

Rewrite the following sentences using gerunds

Do you mind ( I, watch ) you while you paint ?

Do you mind my watching you while you paint ?

1. I can't understand ( he, trick ) by a child.

2. They objected to ( we, talk ) about the incident.
3. She is anxious about ( her brother, come ) late for the appointment.
4. We didn't mind ( they, look ) through our work.
5. It really wasn't worth ( we, stay ) up so late to finish the work.
6. His recovery is past ( pray ) for.
7. You can't insist on ( he, let ) you off early when there's so much work to be done.
8. I know that your shirt needs ( alter ), but you can't keep ( pester ) me to do it now
when I'm so busy.
9. ( You, be ) right this time doesn't mean you are right all the time.
10. Can't you recall ( he, come ) here the last time ?
11. I was afraid of ( they, leave ) on the tour without me.
12. That blind man is skilled at ( weave ) baskets. I really admire ( he, work ) at such a
fast rate.
13. She resents ( I, criticize ) her work so often. She says I always provoke her into (
lose ) her temper.
14. He detested ( the boys, push ) him around but he didn't say anything for fear of (
make ) them angry.
15. I remember ( I, give ) you explicit instructions but I don't remember ( you, carry )
out all those instructions.
16. "Excuse ( I, interrupt ) you girls. Would you please stop ( write ) for a moment ?"
the teacher asked.

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 17. Our parents have agreed to ( we, camp ) out in the open but they are still worried
about ( we, get ) proper food.
18. I'm afraid of ( the man, ask ) me questions that I cannot answer. Would you mind (
explain ) everything to me ?
19. The waiter insisted on ( we, pay ) the bill there and then. He complained about (
some customers, go ) off without settling their bills.
20. "Would you mind ( I, change ) my seat in the class ?" I asked the monitor. "I'm
tired of ( sit )in the same place all the time."

Answer
1. I can't understand his being tricked by a child.
2. They objected to our/us talking about the incident.
3. She is anxious about her brother's coming late for the appointment.
4. We didn't mind their/them looking through our work.
5. It really wasn't worth our staying up so late to finish the work.
6. His recovery is past praying for.
7. You can't insist on his/him letting you off early when there's so much work to be done.
8. I know that your shirt needs altering, but you can't keep pestering me to do it now when I'm so
busy.
9. Your being right this time doesn't mean you are right all the time.
10. Can't you recall his coming here the last time ?
11. I was afraid of their leaving on the tour without me.
12. That blind man is skilled at weaving baskets. I really admire his working at such a fast rate.
13. She resents my criticizing her work so often. She says I always provoke her into losing her temper.
14. He detested the boys pushing him around but he didn't say anything for fear of making them
angry.
15. I remember my giving you explicit instructions but I don't remember your carrying out all those
instructions.
16. "Excuse my interrupting you girls. Would you please stop writing for a moment ?" the teacher
asked.
17. Our parents have greed to our camping out in the open but they are still worried about our/us
getting proper food.
18. I'm afraid of the man asking me questions that I cannot answer. Would you mind explaining
everything to me ?
19. The waiter insisted on our paying the bill there and then. He complained about some customers
going off without settling their bills.
20. "Would you mind my changing my seat in the class ?" I asked the monitor. "I'm tired of sitting in
the same place all the time."

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-16

Reword each of the following sentences using a 'to' -infinitive

He worked hard so that he might save enough money to tour the world.
He worked hard to save enough money to tour the world.

1. That story sounds as though it were true.

2. I was told that I must not leave the room.
3. Have you got anything for us that we can eat ?
4. She hopes that she will be chosen to represent her school.
5. We must wait till we hear the results of the contest.
6. You will have to study had so that you will pass the examination.
7. The first person who reaches the finish line will be declared the winner.
8. Is there anything else that we should discuss ?
9. The girl did not expect that she would get the job
10. The poacher was warned that he should not trespass on the state again.
11. The doctor advised Mr Biggs that he should not smoke.
12. Will you promise that you will not lose this magazine ?
13. I hope that I'll receive the letter by tomorrow.
14. We understood what needed doing when the time came.
15. I expect that I shall complete writing the book by next Christmas.
16. The last person who finished had to stay behind to clean up the mess.
17. Amy was told that she should not go out alone in the dark.
18. She had to wait a long time before buying the tickets.
19. The boy scouts hope that they will reach the summit by nightfall.
20. It appears that it is an impossible task.

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 Answer
1. That story sounds to be true.
2. I was told not to leave the room.
3. Have you got anything for us to eat ?
4. She hopes to be chosen to represent her school.
5. We must wait to hear the results of the contest.
6. You will have to study hard to pass the examination.
7. The first person to reach the finish line will be declared the winner.
8. Is there anything else to discuss ?
9. The girl did not expect to get the job.
10. The poacher was warned not to trespass on the estate again.
11. The doctor advised Mr Biggs not to smoke.
12. Will you promise not to lose this magazine ?
13. I hope to receive the letter by tomorrow.
14. We understood what needed to be done when the time came.
15. I expect to complete writing the book by next Christmas.
16. The last person to finish had to stay behind to clean up the mess.
17. Amy was told not to go out alone in the dark.
18. She had to wait a long time to buy the tickets.
19. The boy scouts hope to reach the summit by nightfall.
20. It appears to be an impossible task.

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-17

Give the infinitive or the gerund form of the words in the bracket s

( Gamble ) will only lead you into debt. It would be better for you ( give ) it up.
Gambling will only lead you into debt. It would be better for you to giveit up.

1. She paid the man some money for ( translate ) the letter.
2. The teacher made Robert stay behind ( finish ) his work.
3. I told them to start (read) and they began ( read ) aloud.
4. I would prefer ( live ) in the country at this time of the year.
5. If you can't get the lid off, try ( heat ) it.
6. I don't know how she managed ( finish ) making all these sandwiches in time.
7. She hates ( drink ) cold milk.
8. ( Go ) to sleep early enables me ( get ) up early too.
9. I don't remember ( hear ) you say that you had ( go ) too.
10. Did the manager remember ( sign ) the letters before ( send ) them off ?
11. ( Read ) a textbook is one thing; ( remember ) what you have read is another.
12. The doctor advised her ( stop ) ( smoke ), but she didn't bother ( take ) his advice.
13. I enjoy ( rest ) in the afternoon, but these days I don't seem ( have ) the time ( rest ).
14. The children love ( play ) in the rain but their mothers usually won't allow them ( do ) so.
15. We went backstage ( watch ) the actors. ( Watch ) them from behind the scenes is more interesting than(
watch ) from the hall.
16. There's no ( tell ) what would happen if we were ( mix ) this chemical with that one.
17. I tried ( grow ) tomatoes in my garden once, but I wasn't very successful. ( Grow ) them was more
difficult than I had thought.
18. If you want ( learn ) ( parachute ), you must be brave enough ( take ) the risks.
19. "I want you ( rehearse ) the play now," she said. "I won't mind ( stay ) behind ( direct ) you."
20. I dislike ( peel ) onions because they cause my eyes ( water ). I wish I didn't have ( peel ) them before (
cook ) them.

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 Answer
1. She paid the man some money for translating the letter.
2. The teacher made Robert stay behind to finish his work.
3. I told them to start reading and they began to read aloud.
4. I would prefer living in the country at this time of the year.
5. If you can't get the lid off, try heating it.
6. I don't know how she managed to finish making all these sandwiches in time.
7. She hates drinking cold milk.
8. Going to sleep early enables me to get up early too.
9. I don't remember hearing you say that you had to go too.
10. Did the manager remember to sign the letters before sending them off ?
11. Reading a textbook is one thing; remembering what you have read is another.
12. The doctor advised her to stop smoking, but she didn't bother to take his advice.
13. I enjoy resting in the afternoon, but these days I don't seem to have the time to rest.
14. The children love playing in the rain but their mothers usually won't allow them to do so.
15. We went backstage to watch the actors. Watching them from behind the scenes is more interesting
than watching from the hall.
16. There's no telling what would happen if we were to mix this chemical with that one.
17. I tried growing tomatoes in my garden once, but I wasn't very successful. Growing them was more
difficult than I had thought.
18. If you want to learn to parachute, you must be brave enough to take the risks.
19. "I want you to rehearse the play now," she said. "I won't mind stayingbehind to direct you."
20. I dislike peeling onions because they cause my eyes to water. I wish I didn't have to peel them
before cooking them.

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-18

Rewrite the following sentences using the Perfect Infinitiv e

He is to go there too.
He was to have gone there too.

1. You ought to do better.

2. I am to see him as soon as possible.
3. Your friend ought to warn you.
4. I suppose that I ought to obey orders.
5. The football match is to start at four o'clock.
6. They ought to come much earlier.
7. She is supposed to do this another way.
8. You are to report this matter to the police.
9. She ought to know better than that !
10. Your work ought to be completed by now.
11. The rooms are to be tidied regularly.
12. We ought to be more careful.
13. The meeting is to be held in this hall.
14. I ought to receive the letter by Wednesday.
15. She ought to make that sign bigger.
16. She will love to hear that joke.
17. I suppose I ought to be more tactful.
18. They ought not to do that.
19. He is to leave on the midnight express.
20. The new clerk is to file all letters.

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 Answer
1. You ought to have done better.
2. I have to see him as soon as possible.
3. Your friend ought to have warned you.
4. I suppose that I ought to have obeyed orders.
5. The football match is to have started at four o'clock.
6. They ought to have come much earlier.
7. She is supposed to have done this another way.
8. You are to have reported this matter to the police.
9. She ought to have known better than that !
10. Your work ought to have been completed by now.
11. The rooms are to have been tidied regularly.
12. We ought to have been more careful.
13. The meeting is to have been held in this hall.
14. I ought to have received the letter by Wednesday.
15. She ought to have made that sign bigger.
16. She will love to have heard that joke.
17. I suppose I ought to have been more tactful.
18. They ought not to have done that.
19. He is to have left on the midnight express.
20. The new clerk is to have filed all letters.

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-19

Fill in each of the blanks with the correct gerund, present or past
participle, or infinitive of the words in brackets .

1. ______ essays is a good way to improve one's English. ( write )

2. Despite his age, the old man enjoys ______ daily. ( jog )
3. ______ by the scream, I went out to investigate. ( disturb )
4. I am trying to recover my ______ coins in the drain. ( lose )
5. It si difficult to take photographs on a ______ bus. ( move )
6. You need ______ the damaged parts of your car. ( replace )
7. It is too late for us ______ the heart patient. ( help )
8. We noticed a stranger ______ out of the bungalow. ( run )
9. After retirement, my pastime is ______ after my grandchildren. ( look )
10. The ______ glasses are swept into the drain. ( break )
11. ______ by the explosion, the crowd ran helter-skelter. ( Terrify )
12. The visitors watched the monkeys ______ from tree to tree. ( swing )
13. We were all speechless, ______ what the magician will do next. ( wonder )
14. The lady ______ a red T-shirt is the badminton champion. ( wear )
15. ______ by the feat, the spectators gave a round of applause. ( Thrill )

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 Answer

1. Writing essays is a good way to improve one's English.

2. Despite his age, the old man enjoys jogging daily.
3. Disturbed by the scream, I went out to investigate.
4. I am trying to recover my lost coins in the drain.
5. It si difficult to take photographs on a moving bus.
6. You need to replace the damaged parts of your car.
7. It is too late for us to help the heart patient.
8. We noticed a stranger running out of the bungalow.
9. After retirement, my pastime is looking after my grandchildren.
10. The broken glasses are swept into the drain.
11. Terrified by the explosion, the crowd ran helter-skelter.
12. The visitors watched the monkeys swinging from tree to tree.
13. We were all speechless, wondering what the magician will do next.
14. The lady wearing a red T-shirt is the badminton champion.
15. Thrilled by the feat, the spectators gave a round of applause.

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 Gerunds & Infinitives-20

Fill in the blanks with the bare infinitiv e

The librarian made me ______ the books the next day.

The librarian made me return the books the next day.

1. The policeman would not let us ______ more than two abreast.
2. Did you watch him ______ up that tall tree ?
3. The class monitor will ______ the books tomorrow.
4. She felt her heart ______ faster when she heard strange noises outside.
5. Everyone must ______ the exercise in an hour's time.
6. The clerk made them ______ while she contacted the manager in the office.
7. May I ______ my lunch with you ?
8. Those poor farmers cannot ______ to buy expensive machines for their farms.
9. You should ______ at the map more carefully so that you can ______ it to scale.
10. The door would not ______ no matter how he tried to open it.
11. Nobody heard me ______ for help. I shan't ______ into that building again.
12. She let us ______ all the pears in the basket.
13. They will ______ if you explain the whole situation to them.
14. Do you ______ a pair of binoculars to lend me ?
15. You needn't ______ worried. Hagel won't ______ you of your money.
16. We might ______ in time for the show if we hurried.

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 Answer

1. The policeman would not let us cycle more than two abreast.
2. Did you watch him climb up that tall tree ?
3. The class monitor will collect the books tomorrow.
4. She felt her heart beat faster when she heard strange noises outside.
5. Everyone must finish the exercise in an hour's time.
6. The clerk made them wait while she contacted the manager in the office.
7. May I have my lunch with you ?
8. Those poor farmers cannot afford to buy expensive machines for their farms.
9. You should look at the map more carefully so that you can draw it to scale.
10. The door would not open no matter how he tried to open it.
11. Nobody heard me call for help. I shan't go into that building again.
12. She let us have all the pears in the basket.
13. They will understand if you explain the whole situation to them.
14. Do you have a pair of binoculars to lend me ?
15. You needn't have worried. Hagel won't cheat/rob you of your money.
16. We might be in time for the show if we hurried.

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