Fast and Easy Way To Learn About Verbs For the CSET

the -ed inflection indicates past tense.

The Infinitive Form

The infinitive form of a verb is indicated by the word “to”. For example: “to cry”, “to sing”, or “to talk”.

Infinitives with “to” are referred to specifically as to-infinitives in order to distinguish them from bare infinitives, in which “to” is absent.

Examples

1. To-infinitive = Help me to read the book.
2. Bare-infinitive = Help me read the book.

The Gerund

Gerunds end in -ing. Present participles also end in -ing. How can you tell the difference between a gerund and a present participle?

Gerunds function as nouns. Gerunds will be subjects, subject complements, direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions. Present participles complete verbs or act as modifiers.

Examples

1. Since Michael Phelps was seven years old, swimming has been his love.
The gerund is “swimming” because it is the subject of the verb “has been”.

2. One day last summer, Phelps and his coach were swimming at the University of Michigan.
The present participle is “swimming” because it completes the past progressive verb “were swimming”.