Here, we will look at some of the meanings and usages of gerunds and infinitives. In particular, we will be focusing on the performers of gerunds and infinitive actions.
The Performer of Gerund Actions
As with all actions, the ones expressed by gerunds are also performed by someone. The performer of the gerund action can be the sentence subject. However, this is not always true. In these cases, a possessive adjective is used to show who the performer is.
| Gerund only | Possessive Adjective + Gerund |
| I'll never forget winning the game. (I won the game.) |
I'll never forget Peter's/his winning the game. (Peter won the game.) |
When a gerund occurs after a verb, an object pronoun can replace the possessive adjective. Sentences with object pronouns are more casual than those with possessive adjectives.
Verb + Object Pronoun + Gerund
We were happy about him winning the game. ("him" is the object pronoun, and "winning" is the gerund.)
The Performer of Infinitive Actions
As with other actions, those expressed by infinitives are performed by someone. If an infinitive directly follows, the performer of the infinitive action becomes the sentence subject. However, if an infinitive follows an object, then the performer of the infinitive action becomes the object.
Verb + Infinitive only
I want to use a new program. (I may use a new program.)
Verb + Object + infinitive
I want her to use a new program. (She may use a new program.)
An infinitive or a base form, with no change to the meaning, can follow help + object. The verbs "make", "have", and "let" + object can only be followed by the base form of a verb, but not the infinitive. As with all the objects before infinitives, the action expressed by the base form is performed by objects of these verbs.
Verb + Object + Base Form of Verb
He helped me understand the lesson.
He made me finish the assignment.
He had me read the book.
He let me pay the bill.
Verb + Object + Infinitive
He helped me to understand the lesson.
Exercise
Please open the exercise to continue.