B1 · 中級 チャプター 4

Introduction to Gerunds and Infinitives

5 トータルルール
58 例文
5 分
このチャプターのルール クイック練習

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of choosing between -ing forms and infinitives to speak with confidence.

  • Identify when to use Gerunds as subjects.
  • Distinguish between verbs followed by Gerunds and Infinitives.
  • Apply polite structures like 'would like to' in social settings.
Unlock the flow: Gerunds and Infinitives made simple.

学べること

Ready to make your English sound smoother? This chapter will help you confidently choose between saying

I enjoy *to read*
and I enjoy *reading*, and master polite requests like "I'd like *to go*." Soon, you'll communicate your ideas with much greater naturalness!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: confidently use -ing subjects and infinitive verb patterns in daily conversation.

チャプターガイド

Overview

Learning when to use a gerund (the -ing form of a verb used as a noun) or an infinitive (the 'to + verb' form) is a key step towards sounding more natural and confident in English. This introduction to gerunds and infinitives is perfect for B1 English grammar learners ready to refine their communication skills. Moving beyond basic sentence structures, understanding these forms allows you to express preferences, plans, and actions with much greater fluency.
Imagine being able to confidently say
I enjoy reading
instead of
I enjoy to read,
or making a polite request like "I'd like to order a coffee" without hesitation. This chapter will unlock those possibilities. You'll learn how to use -ing words as subjects, which verbs demand a gerund or an infinitive, and even discover verbs that are happy with either!
Mastering these patterns will significantly smooth out your English, making your conversations flow more effortlessly and professionally.

How This Grammar Works

At the heart of this grammar chapter is understanding how verbs can act differently in a sentence. Sometimes, an action itself becomes the subject of your sentence, like a noun. This is where the gerund comes in.
For example,
Swimming is great exercise
– here, 'swimming' is the subject of the sentence, not an action being performed by someone. It’s an action turned into a concept.
Next, certain English verbs are followed by a gerund. These verbs often express feelings, preferences, or activities. Think of verbs like enjoy, finish, or avoid.
You'll always use the -ing form directly after them:
I enjoy learning new things,
or
He finished working late.
Trying to use an infinitive here would sound unnatural.
On the other hand, many English verbs are followed by an infinitive. These verbs frequently convey plans, desires, intentions, or necessity. Common examples include want, need, decide, and plan.
For instance,
She wants to travel next year,
or
We need to leave soon.
Here, the infinitive 'to travel' or 'to leave' clearly states the purpose or goal.
Some verbs are flexible! With verbs with gerund or infinitive where there's no meaning change, you can choose either. Verbs like start, begin, continue, and like fall into this category.
You can say,
I like reading books
or
I like to read books,
and both are perfectly correct and mean the same thing. This flexibility can make them seem less daunting.
Finally, for making polite requests, especially in formal or semi-formal situations, we use the specific structure 'would like' + infinitive. This is a crucial phrase for politeness and professionalism. Instead of
I want a drink,
you would politely say,
I would like to have a drink,
or
We would like to reserve a table.
This small change makes a big difference in how your request is perceived.

Common Mistakes

Learning gerunds and infinitives can be tricky, but recognizing common errors will help you avoid them.
  1. 1✗ I enjoy to read books.
✓ I enjoy reading books.
*Explanation*: The verb 'enjoy' is always followed by a gerund (-ing form).
  1. 1✗ He wants go to the park.
✓ He wants to go to the park.
*Explanation*: Verbs like 'want' are followed by the infinitive, which always includes 'to'. Don't forget the 'to'!
  1. 1✗ We would like ordering a dessert.
✓ We would like to order a dessert.
*Explanation*: For polite requests with 'would like', you must use the infinitive form ('to' + verb).

Real Conversations

Here are some everyday exchanges using gerunds and infinitives naturally.

A

A

What do you like doing on weekends?
B

B

Oh, I really enjoy gardening. And I sometimes like to go hiking too.
A

A

I need to finish this report by noon.
B

B

Me too! I keep procrastinating. Maybe we can decide to work together later?
A

A

Excuse me, I would like to ask about bus times.
B

B

Certainly, which destination are you planning to visit?

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between a gerund and an infinitive?

A gerund (verb + -ing) acts like a noun, often representing an activity or concept (e.g.,

Running is healthy
). An infinitive ('to' + verb) often expresses purpose, intention, or a future action (e.g.,
I want to learn
).

Q

How can I remember which verbs take a gerund or an infinitive?

The best way is through practice and exposure. Start by learning the most common verbs that follow each pattern (like enjoy + gerund, want + infinitive). Over time, you'll start to recognize the patterns naturally. Pay attention when you read or listen to English.

Q

Are there any verbs that can take both gerunds and infinitives?

Yes! For verbs like start, begin, continue, and like, you can use either form, and the meaning typically doesn't change. For example,

It started raining
and
It started to rain
both mean the same thing.

Cultural Context

Using gerunds and infinitives correctly is not just about grammar rules; it's about sounding truly fluent and polite. Native English speakers naturally choose these forms, and mastering them helps you integrate more smoothly into conversations. Phrases like
would like to
are indispensable for showing respect in requests, making your English not just correct, but also culturally appropriate and genuinely communicative.

重要な例文 (8)

1

**Reading** helps me relax after a long day.

読書は長い一日の終わりにリラックスさせてくれる。

-ing形を主語として使う（動名詞）
2

**Learning** new languages opens up many opportunities.

新しい言語を学ぶことは多くの機会を開く。

-ing形を主語として使う（動名詞）
3

I really enjoy `listening` to podcasts on my commute.

通勤中にポッドキャストを聴くのが本当に楽しいです。

動名詞（-ing）が続く英語の動詞
4

Have you finished `writing` that essay yet?

もうあのエッセイを書き終えましたか？

動名詞（-ing）が続く英語の動詞
5

I really **want to order** sushi for dinner tonight.

今夜は本当に寿司を注文したいです。

不定詞が続く英語の動詞 (want to, need to)
6

We **need to finish** this group project by Friday.

金曜日までにこのグループプロジェクトを終える必要があります。

不定詞が続く英語の動詞 (want to, need to)
7

I `love reading` fantasy novels on my commute.

通勤中にファンタジー小説を読むのが大好きです。

動名詞または不定詞を伴う動詞：意味の変化なし
8

She `started learning` French last year for her exchange program.

彼女は交換留学のために昨年フランス語を学び始めました。

動名詞または不定詞を伴う動詞：意味の変化なし

ヒントとコツ (4)

💡

Think 'The Act of...'

もし-ingの言葉を「The act of [動詞]」（〜という行為）に置き換えられるなら、それは主語の動名詞だよ。この小さなコツで機能がはっきりするね！ "If you can replace your -ing word with 'The act of [verb]', it's probably a gerund acting as a subject. This little trick can help clarify its function!"
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: -ing形を主語として使う（動名詞）
💡

頭の中にリストを作ろう

丸暗記するよりも、英語のコンテンツに触れながらこれらの動詞に気づくようにしてみましょう。たくさん見れば見るほど、自然に感じるはずです。 "The more you see them, the more natural they'll feel."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 動名詞（-ing）が続く英語の動詞
💡

「未来の行動」を考えてみよう

動詞の後に不定詞（to + 動詞）が続く場合、多くは「したい」「計画している」「する必要がある」という未来の行動を表します。これから起こることや意図について話すなら、不定詞がぴったりですよ。「I want to visit Japan next year.」
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 不定詞が続く英語の動詞 (want to, need to)
💡

自然な響きで選ぶ

文全体で、どちらの形がよりスムーズに聞こえるか意識してみてください。声に出して読んでみると、意外と「こっちの方が自然だな」と感じることがよくありますよ！例えば、「I enjoy to dance」より「I enjoy dancing」の方がしっくりくる、といった感じです。
Sometimes, one form might just *sound* better with the rest of the sentence.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 動名詞または不定詞を伴う動詞：意味の変化なし

重要な語彙 (5)

Enjoy to find pleasure in Suggest to propose an idea Infinitive the base form of a verb with to Gerund a verb acting as a noun ending in -ing Request an act of asking politely

Real-World Preview

coffee

Ordering Coffee

Review Summary

  • -ing verb + verb
  • Verb + -ing
  • Verb + to + base verb
  • Verb + -ing OR to + base
  • Would like + to + base verb

よくある間違い

The verb 'enjoy' must be followed by a gerund, not an infinitive. It's a common trap!

Wrong: I enjoy to read.
正解: I enjoy reading.

Gerund subjects always take a singular verb. Remember to treat the action as one thing.

Wrong: Swimming are fun.
正解: Swimming is fun.

The verb 'want' requires an infinitive. It never takes an -ing form.

Wrong: I want going home.
正解: I want to go home.

Next Steps

You have done an amazing job today! Keep practicing these patterns, and you'll notice your English becoming smoother every single day.

Write a diary entry for 10 minutes

Continue to: Connecting Ideas with -ing and To

クイック練習 (10)

正しい形を選びましょう

My cat really enjoys ___ on the couch all day.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sleeping
動詞 'enjoy' の後には、常に動名詞（-ing形）が来ます。不定詞は使えない動詞の一つです。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 動名詞または不定詞を伴う動詞：意味の変化なし

文中の間違いを見つけて修正しましょう。

Find and fix the mistake:

We need buying milk from the store.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We need to buy milk from the store.
動詞「need」の後には、動名詞（buying）ではなく不定詞（to buy）が続きます。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 不定詞が続く英語の動詞 (want to, need to)

'would like' を使って丁寧な提案をしている正しい文はどれですか？

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Would you like some coffee?
'Would you like' は何かを丁寧に提案する時の表現だよ。名詞（'some coffee' のように）が続く場合は 'to' は使わないからね。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 丁寧な依頼：「Would Like」+不定詞

文章の間違いを見つけて修正しましょう。

Find and fix the mistake:

He finished to write his report just before the deadline.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He finished writing his report just before the deadline.
動詞「finish」の後には動名詞が続き、不定詞ではありません。正しい形は「finished writing」です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 動名詞（-ing）が続く英語の動詞

文章を完成させるために正しい動詞の形を選びましょう。

My sister suggested ___ a picnic this weekend.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: having
動詞「suggest」の後ろには常に動名詞が続きます。なので、「suggested having」が正しい形です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 動名詞（-ing）が続く英語の動詞

正しい文を選びましょう

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Both are correct.
動詞 'prefer' の場合、動名詞（'cooking'）と不定詞（'to cook'）のどちらも正しく、同じ意味を持ちます。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 動名詞または不定詞を伴う動詞：意味の変化なし

丁寧な依頼を完成させるために、正しい形を選んでください。

I ___ to book a table for two tonight.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: would like
丁寧な依頼や願望を表現するには、'would like' が最も適切だよ。'like' は一般的な好みを表し、'want' はあまり丁寧ではない場合があるからね。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 丁寧な依頼：「Would Like」+不定詞

動名詞を伴う動詞が正しく使われている文章を選びましょう。

正しい文章を選びましょう：

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I enjoy watching movies on Friday nights.
動詞「enjoy」の後ろには常に動名詞が続くので、「watching」が正しい選択です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 動名詞（-ing）が続く英語の動詞

正しい形を選びましょう。

___ new places is my passion.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Exploring
「Exploring」は動詞「to explore」の動名詞形で、文の主語として機能しています。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: -ing形を主語として使う（動名詞）

間違いを見つけて修正しましょう

Find and fix the mistake:

He hates to waiting for buses in the rain.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Both 'He hates to wait...' and 'He hates waiting...' are correct.
元の文は 'to' と '-ing' 形を誤って組み合わせています。'hate' の後には 'to wait'（不定詞）または 'waiting'（動名詞）のどちらも使えます。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 動名詞または不定詞を伴う動詞：意味の変化なし

Score: /10

よくある質問 (6)

動名詞は、文中で名詞として機能する動詞の-ing形のことだよ。主語になるときは、活動を表すけれど、本質的にはその動作の「行為者」なんだ。例えば、「Reading is fun」みたいにね。
-ingの言葉を主語にすることで、活動や行為を概念として話すことができるんだ。これによって、「Swimming is good for your health」のように、文がより簡潔で自然になるよ。
動名詞は、動詞の形に「-ing」がついたもので、名詞として機能します。例えば、「I enjoy swimming,」では、「swimming」が動詞「enjoy」の目的語として働いていますよ。
一番良い方法は、たくさんの英語に触れて練習することです。「enjoy」「finish」「avoid」「suggest」のような、常に-ing形を後に取る一般的な動詞の個人的なリストを作っておくと良いでしょう。
ここでの不定詞は、「to go」、「to eat」、「to study」のように「to + 動詞の原形」の形を指します。名詞、形容詞、副詞のように機能し、目的や未来の行動を表すことが多いです。「to go shopping」
不定詞が続く動詞は、未来の行動に関する願望、計画、意図、または必要性を表すことが多いからです。何か起こるべきこと、または起こってほしいこと（例：「I want to travel」）を指し示していると考えてください。
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