Infinitives and Gerunds Here is a brief review of the differences between gerunds and infinitives. Gerunds are formed with ING:walking, talking, thinking, listening Infinitives are formed with TO:to walk, to talk, to think, to listen

Gerunds and infinitives can do several jobs: Both gerunds and infinitives can be the subject of a sentence: Writing in English is difficult. To write in English is difficult. Both gerunds and infinitives can be the object of a verb: I like writing in English. I like to write in English. Only gerunds can be the object of a preposition: We are talking about writing in English

It is often difficult to know when to use a gerund and when to use an infinitive. These guidelines may help you: Gerunds are often used when actions are real, concrete or completed:: I stopped smoking. (The smoking was real and happened until I stopped.) Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future:: I stopped to smoke. (I was doing something else, and I stopped; the smoking had not happened yet.)