Fundamentals Of English Grammar

I

13-7 Using gerunds as subjects; using it + infinitive

(c) Coming to dass on time is important.

(d) It is important to come to class on time.

sentence. The word it has the same meaning as the

infinitive phrase at the end of the sentence: it means w

*It is also correct (but less comm6n) muse an infinitive as the subject of s sentence: To rida hmrw isfun,

0 EXERCISE 20. Gerunds as subjects. (Chart 13-7)

Directions: Create sentences with the same meaning by using a gerund as the subject.

1. It is important to get daily exercise. 4 Gemflg daily exercise is important.


2. It isn't hard to make friends.


3. It is easy to cook rice.


4. It is relaxing to take a long walk.


5. Is it difficult to learn a second language?


6. It is wrong to cheat during a test.


7. Ia it expensive to live in an apartment?


8. It isn't easy to live in a foreign counay.


9. It takes time to make new friends.

0 EXERCISE 21. IT + inflnltlve. (Chart 13-7)

Directions: Create sentences with the same meaning by using it + an infinitive.

1. Having good friends is important. 4 It's important to have goodfrienh

2. Playing tennis is fun.


3. Being polite to other people is important.


4. Learning about other cultures is interesting.


5. Walking alone at night in that part of the city is dangerous.


6. Is riding a motorcycle easy?


7. Having a cold isn't much fun.


8. Learning a second language takes a long time.


9. Cooking a soft-boiled egg takes three minutes.

EXERCISE 22. Gerunds as subjects; IT + infinitive. (Chart 13-7)

Directions: Work in pairs.

Speaker A: Ask the given question. Your book is open.

Speaker B: Answer the question. Begin with "It's.. ." and use an infinitive. Your book is

closed.

Speaker A: Respond by saying "I agree" followed by a gerund subject. (Or, if you wish,

say "I don't agree. I think that.. ." followed by a gerund subject.)

Gerund8 and lnnnmvea 387