Some specific uses of Gerund/Infinitive

We are going to see some structures for uses of gerund/infinitive. Because they are used widely in speaking and writing, we must have proper knowledge about how they should be used in a sentence.

(A) Be afraid of + Gerund + Noun / Pronoun

The use of ‘afraid of’ with a gerund shows the fear of a subject.

For example:

I never swam far out. I am afraid of getting caught.

She never shares her contact details because she is afraid of cheating.

Use of ‘Be afraid’ with infinitive expresses such a fear of the subject because of which he/she cannot perform an action.

For example:

I was afraid to swim (so I didn’t swim).

He was afraid to write a letter to his Principal (so he didn’t write).

I was afraid to ask my father (so I didn’t ask).

Also Read: Difference Between Each and Every

(B) Be sorry for + Gerund

Generally, a gerund is used for the previous actions.

For example:

I am sorry for making such a noise in the morning.

I am sorry for making a call on your phone.

It can also be used with immediate action.

For example:

I am sorry for disturbing you.

Please note that for immediate action, it is better to use the infinitive with the structure “Be sorry for.”

For instance: I am sorry to disturb you.

This Might Be Useful: Words Often Confused

Use of “I am sorry that….” shows real regret and sadness.

• I am sorry that you failed this time again.
• I am sorry that I couldn’t arrange money for you.

Note: If you want to express inconvenience as a formality, you can use the given structure:

I am sorry to say that your parcel has not arrived yet.

I am sorry to say that your sample is not ready so far.

(C) Be ashamed of + Gerund

The structure “Be ashamed of + gerund” is used to tell a past action.

For example:

You must be ashamed of lying to me.

You must be ashamed of cheating on your wife.

You can use “Be ashamed of” with infinitive as well.

For instance:

You must e ashamed to lie to me.

You must be ashamed to tell what you did with her.

Use of ashamed + infinitive with ‘would be’ stops the subject from doing work in the future.

Examples:

I would be ashamed to refuse her.

I would be ashamed to ask for help.

Use of ‘go on’ with infinitive

The meaning of go on is to continue. Generally, it is used with a gerund. However, it is used with an infinitive with verbs; explain, talk, tell, etc.

Examples:

He went on talking about his marriage.

They went on to talk about the current situation of their family.

Gerund with Regret, Remember and Forget

With verbs; regret, remember and forget, the gerund is usually used when the gerund is indicated by earlier action.

Examples:

She regretted abusing my brother last night. (Abusing the first action, regret is the second.)

I remember reading about this invention on the internet. ( reading is the first action and remember is the second.)

The use of gerund with ‘forget’ is generally negative.

I will never forget waiting for you so long.

We will never forget waiting for the guests to come.