GRAMMAR

Gerunds and infinitives as direct objects

Gerund and infinitives come from verb forms but function as nouns.
A gerund or infinitive can be a direct object of a verb.


Gerund = an -ing form of a verb                        Infinitive = to + a base form
  She enjoys paiting.                                         He wants to paint the kitchen yellow.

Use a gerund after the following verbs: avoid, discuss, 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, can´t stand, continue, hate, like, love, prefer, star.





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