Introduction

This Section, and Sections 9–10, deal with verb forms like (to) write (infinitive), speaking (-ing form) and seen (past participle). These forms do not themselves have any time reference (unlike for example writes or spoke), and grammarians call them ‘non-finite’. However, they can be used together with auxiliary verbs to form tenses: e.g. will write, is speaking, has seen (see here). They also have various other uses which are explained in Sections 8–10.

-ing forms have two grammatical names. They are often called ‘gerunds’ when they are used in similar ways to nouns, as subjects or objects. Gerunds may correspond to infinitives in some other languages.

• Smoking is dangerous.
• I enjoy skiing.

They are called ‘present participles’ when they are used more like verbs or adjectives:

• She ran out laughing.
• faster than a speeding bullet

The names ‘present participle’ and ‘past participle’ are misleading, because these forms do not have any particular time reference.

The dividing line between participles and adjectives is not always clear, (see here).

All of these verb forms can begin clauses (Infinitives, -ing forms and past participles: other uses).

• I’d like to look at those papers again. (infinitive clause)
• She ran out laughing like a hyena. (participle clause)
• Cooked in a slow oven, it will taste delicious. (participle clause)

For the sake of simplicity, ‘infinitive’ and ‘participle’ are used for infinitive and participle clauses in the following explanations unless the longer term is needed.

Do you know what’s wrong with these, and why?

Try to not be late. (see here)

I wanted go home. (see here)

I must to go now. (see here)

He shouting gets on my nerves. (see here)

Thank you for your waiting. (see here)

We’re all excited about his arriving. (see here)

I was very interesting in the lesson. (see here)

Look at all those stopped cars at the crossroads. (see here)

The questioned people gave very different opinions. (see here)

He’s a speaking-French Canadian. (see here)

Britain’s trade position has been very weakened by inflation. (see here)

He’s very known in the art world. (see here)