Infinitives and participles are versatile verb forms that serve different functions in English. Here’s a detailed breakdown of infinitives, present participles, gerunds, past participles, and irregular past participles with examples and rules.
1. Infinitives:
Infinitives are the base form of a verb, often preceded by “to” (e.g., to read, to write). They can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs and express purpose, intention, or possibility.
Uses of Infinitives:
- Expressing Purpose: She went to the library to study.
- Acting as Subjects or Objects:
To travel is her dream.
He loves to sing. - Following Certain Verbs: She wants to improve her skills.
Examples:
- I love to read books.
- He wants to play games.
- We plan to travel around the world.
- She hopes to cook a new recipe.
- They aim to succeed in their studies.
- I called to speak with the manager.
- She loves to sing.
- We are going to visit Paris next month.
- He aspires to direct a movie.
- She learned to drive last year.
- He likes to swim in the lake.
- They decided to stay at home.
- I tried to write a poem.
- She forgot to lock the door.
- We started to clean the garden.
2. Present Participles and Gerunds
Present participles are formed by adding “-ing” to the base verb (e.g., running, playing). They function as adjectives or are used in continuous tenses.
Spelling Rules for Present Participles:
- Add “-ing”: play → playing.
- Drop the final “e”: write → writing.
- Double the final consonant: run → running.
Uses:
- As Adjectives: The running water was crystal clear.
- In Continuous Tenses: He is writing a book.
Examples:
- He is running fast. (continuous tense)
- The flowing river is beautiful. (adjective)
- She is teaching us math. (continuous tense)
- We saw a walking man. (adjective)
- He is writing an essay. (continuous tense)
- The shining sun makes the day bright. (adjective)
- They are playing football. (continuous tense)
- The glowing lamp lit up the room. (adjective)
- We are studying for the exam. (continuous tense)
- The falling leaves are beautiful. (adjective)
- He is fixing his car. (continuous tense)
- The singing birds are lovely to hear. (adjective)
- She is baking a cake. (continuous tense)
- The roaring lion scared everyone. (adjective)
- They are building a new house. (continuous tense)
3. Gerunds
Gerunds look like present participles (the “-ing” form) but act as nouns, representing activities or concepts.
Uses:
- As Subjects: Swimming is fun.
- As Objects: She enjoys painting.
Examples:
- Reading is my favorite hobby.
- She loves swimming.
- He enjoys singing in the shower.
- Painting relaxes him.
- Gaming is fun for many people.
- They prefer cycling in the park.
- Cooking is her passion.
- Writing stories is his hobby.
- Running keeps him fit.
- She dislikes cleaning the house.
- Dancing makes her happy.
- He spends time fishing by the lake.
- Shopping can be exhausting.
- Traveling broadens your perspective.
- They enjoy playing board games.
4. Past Participles
Past participles are used in perfect tenses, passive voice, or as adjectives. Regular past participles end in “-ed”, while irregular verbs follow unique patterns.
Spelling Rules for Past Participles:
- Add “-ed”: walk → walked.
- Drop the final “e” and add “-d”: love → loved.
- Double the final consonant and add “-ed”: plan → planned.
- Change “y” to “i” and add “-ed”: study → studied.
Uses:
- Perfect Tenses: She has completed the project.
- Passive Voice: The cake was baked by her.
- As Adjectives: The broken vase was on the floor.
Examples:
- I have packed my bag.
- The cooked meal smells delicious.
- She has finished her race.
- They have repaired the car.
- The written letter is on the table.
- He has closed the door.
- The painted picture looks beautiful.
- She has called her friend.
- The broken glass is on the floor.
- They have built a new house.
- The fixed bike is ready to use.
- He has bought a new car.
- The burnt toast was thrown away.
- The opened window let in fresh air.
- We have achieved our goal.
5. Irregular Past Participles
Irregular Past Participles do not follow the standard “-ed” rule. They have unique forms and must be memorized.
Examples:
- Base: write → Past Participle: written
- Base: run → Past Participle: run
- Base: go → Past Participle: gone
- Base: draw → Past Participle: drawn
- Base: say → Past Participle: said
- Base: see → Past Participle: seen
- Base: grow → Past Participle: grown
- Base: break → Past Participle: broken
- Base: eat → Past Participle: eaten
- Base: drink → Past Participle: drunk
- Base: speak → Past Participle: spoken
- Base: drive → Past Participle: driven
- Base: fly → Past Participle: flown
- Base: take → Past Participle: taken
- Base: give → Past Participle: given
- Base: know → Past Participle: known
- Base: think → Past Participle: thought
- Base: build → Past Participle: built
- Base: catch → Past Participle: caught
- Base: choose → Past Participle: chosen
Exercises: Infinitive, gerund, present participle, past participle
1 · Choose the correct form (infinitive / past participle / gerund)
1. I want ___ to bed early.
2. She has ___ many letters today.
3. ___ is good for your health.
4. They decided ___ a taxi.
5. He hasn’t ___ his homework yet.
2 · Use past participle / irregular past participle / infinitive
1. She has ___ to Paris twice.
2. I need ___ the report today.
3. Have you ___ breakfast yet?
4. They plan ___ a new house.
5. The glass was ___ by the wind.
3 · Write present participle / irregular past participle / infinitive
1. Look at that ___ baby!
2. He likes ___ early.
3. Have you ___ the keys?
4. She enjoys ___ tennis.
5. They hope ___ soon.
4 · Choose infinitive / irregular past participle / gerund
1. ___ is my hobby.
2. I have just ___ a letter.
3. We want ___ the park.
4. She enjoys ___ TV in the evening.
5. Have you ___ the news?
5 · Choose irregular past participle / infinitive / gerund
1. They decided ___ home.
2. He has ___ his leg.
3. ___ is relaxing.
4. She wants ___ French.
5. We have ___ many pictures.
6 · Choose past participle / infinitive / present participle
1. The ___ rain continued all night.
2. She needs ___ harder.
3. The windows were ___ by the storm.
4. He is ___ a sandwich.
5. I have ___ the movie already.
