GRAMMAR

LESSON 1.- Get to know what someone likes.
Gerunds and infinitives as direct objects.


Gerunds and infinitives come from verb forms but function as noun.
A gerund or an infinitive can be a direct object of a verb.
   *Gerund = an -ing form of a verb    *Infinitive = to + a base form
   *She enjoys painting.                            *He wants to paint the kitchen yellow.


Use a gerund after the following verbs: avoid, can´t stand, disscus, dislike, don´t mind, enjoy, feel like, practice, quit, suggest.


Use an infinitive after the following verbs: agree, be sure, choose, decide, expect, hope, learn, need, plan, seem, want, wish, would like.


Other verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive: begin, continue, hate, like, love, prefer, start.


LESSON 2.- Cheer someone up.
Gerunds as objects of prepositions.

A gerund (-ing form of a verb) can function as an object of a preposition.
                           preposition                       object
    I´m afraid            of                 flying.   
    She´s bored       with             cooking.
    She objects        to                discussing her feelings.

Be careful! Don´t an infinitive as the object of a preposition.
      Don´t say: Let´s go to a movie instead of to watch TV.