Complete the following sentences using infinitives or –ing forms. Each question is followed by two answer choices. Choose the most appropriate one.

1. Please give me some water ………………………….. (to drink / drinking)

Incorrect: They insisted on me resigning the post.
Correct: They insisted on my resigning the post.

Incorrect: They objected to John playing for the team.
Correct: They objected to John’s playing for the team.

We can use –ing forms not only as verbs, but also like adjectives, adverbs or nouns.

Hear, see, watch, notice and similar verbs of perception can be followed by object + infinitive (without to) or object + -ing form.

Incorrect: They were counting on me helping them.
Correct: They were counting on my helping them.

Incorrect: They insisted on me resigning the post.
Correct: They insisted on my resigning the post.

State whether the –ing forms given in the following sentences are participles or gerunds. In the case of participles, name the noun or pronoun they qualify. In the case of gerunds, state what function they serve in the sentence.

Both the gerund and the infinitive are verbal nouns. In many cases it is possible to substitute a gerund for an infinitive.

Read the sentences given below: