<p>When should I use the infinitive (to jump, to run, to cook), and when should I use the gerund (in running, in jumping, in cooking)</p>
<p>That ALWAYS gets me down in writing :/</p>
<p>Depends on the context. What sentences particularly are you talking about?
For example:
‘I like to jump’ is virtually the same as ‘I like jumping.’</p>
<p>in + gerund doesn’t replace to verb … simply the gerund does, and they are interchangeable you shouldn’t see a question that asks if you should use the gerund or the infinitive. (unless its clearly the gerund which is a seperate case from what i believe you are speaking of)</p>
<p>For example,</p>
<p>“The first step in creating a sandwich is to get the ingredients,” which I thought would be “The first step to create a sandwich…”</p>
<p>and “No one was more qualified in asking for a sandwich than John,” which I thought would be “No one was more qualified to ask…”</p>
<p>How do I know which ones to use? 0_0</p>
<p>For the most part, the gerund/infinitive distinction doesn’t come up on SAT writing</p>
<p>But I’ll elaborate. Unlike other parts of SAT grammar, if the verb sounds wrong, it probably is. If it sounds fine, both would be acceptable (like in your examples above^, both sentences are technically correct)</p>
<p>Gerunds/Infinitives can both be subjects (though gerunds are more common as subjects simply because they’re basically nouns)</p>
<p>Running is fun (Gerund)
To run on a daily basis requires significant motivation.(Infinitive, a bit more awkward)</p>
<p>Both can be objects, neither sound awkward.</p>
<p>I like running (Gerund)
I like to run (Infinitive)</p>
<p>ONLY gerunds can be the object of a preposition.</p>
<p>We talked about running (correct)
We talked about to run (very wrong)</p>
<p>And the biggest distinction is that Gerunds can denote past tense while infinitives denote future actions.</p>
<p>Past:
I finished running.
VS
I finished to run. (just sounds very wrong)</p>
<p>Future:
I plan running. (also sounds wrong)
VS
I plan to run.</p>
<p>Of course these are very direct examples but still… you sort of see how it works right?</p>
<p>If you’re ever faced with distinguishing between an infinitive and gerund, pick the simpler, less awkward choice.</p>
<p>I remember an example like:</p>
<p>The council established a set of laws stating o state what was allowed to be done on the property.</p>
<p>One answer was right, the other incorrect. I remember faintly that the right answer was stating because it described the laws and to state didn’t. I’m not positive.</p>
<p>Established is past so it can’t be ‘to state’.</p>
<p>So…</p>
<p>The council will establish a let of laws to state what was allowed… right?</p>
<p><em>saves this on word document</em></p>
<p>set*, and yep :)</p>