Verbs Lesson 34

Verb terminology


While learning about verbs, you will come across grammatical terms like infinitives and gerunds. Below are explanations of these frequently used grammar terms.

Infinitives

The infinitive is the base form of the verb. It is sometimes preceded by the marker to and then it is called the to-infinitive. Remember that that ‘to’ is a not a part of the infinitive and the infinitive can also be used without to.
Read the examples given below.
  • She wants to go. (Here the phrase ‘to go’ is an example of a to-infinitive.)
  • She made me cry. (Here the infinitive ‘cry’ is used without the marker to.)
The infinitive is a non-finite verb. In other words, it does not change its form when the number or person of the subject changes.
  • She wants to leave.
  • I want to leave.
  • They want to leave.
  • John wants to leave.
As you can see the infinitive ‘to leave’ remains the same regardless of the change in the number and the person of the subject. Non-finite verbs cannot act as principal verbs.

The gerunds

A gerund is a verb form ending in –ing. Gerunds are non-finite verbs. A gerund can be the subject or object of a verb. It can also act as the object of a preposition.
  • Smoking can cause cancer. (Here the gerund smoking acts as the subject of the verb.)
  • We don’t allow smoking in the kitchen. (Here the gerund smoking acts as the object of the verb allow.)
A gerund can also act as the object of a preposition.
  • I am thinking of taking a break. (Here the gerund taking is the object of the preposition of.)
Remember that only –ing forms can be used after a preposition. Infinitives are not possible.
  • She is confident of winning. (NOT She is confident of to win.) (NOT She is confident to win.)

Verbs: Some common mistakes


The verb write can take two objects. Sometimes this causes problems.
  • Incorrect: He wrote me.
  • Correct: He wrote to me.

Notes

We write something. (He wrote a letter.)
We write something to someone. (He wrote a letter to his mother.) (NOT He wrote a letter his mother.)
We write someone something. (He wrote his mother a letter.) (NOT He wrote to his mother a letter.)
We write to someone. (He wrote to me.) (NOT He wrote me.)
Explain
The verb explain can be followed by two objects – a direct object and an indirect object.
Note that we explain something to someone. (NOT We explain someone something.)
  • Incorrect: I shall explain them this.
  • Correct: I shall explain this to them.

The verb suggest

We suggest something to somebody. We cannot suggest somebody something.
  • Incorrect: He suggested me this.
  • Correct: He suggested this to me.

Oblige

The verb oblige takes the preposition to. When you are obliged to do something, you are forced to do it because it is a law, a rule or a duty.
  • I felt obliged to help him.
  • I am obliged to you for this good turn. (NOT I am obliged of you for this good turn.)

The verb invite

The verb invite can be followed by to or for.
We invite someone to/for something:
  • I have invited my uncle and aunt to dinner.
  • He invited me for a drink but I politely refused.

The verb tell

The verb tell does not take a preposition.
  • Incorrect: He told to me to go.
  • Correct: He told me to go.

The verb ask

When ask is followed by two objects, the indirect object (the person) normally comes first, without a preposition.
  • Incorrect: She did not ask any question to him.
  • Correct: She did not ask him any question.
  • Incorrect: I will ask the time to that man.
  • Correct: I will ask that man the time.

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