Gerunds & Infinitives

Laura Galindo. Adapted from New English File Upper-Intermediate. Oxford.

Gerunds & Infinitives

When one verb follows another, the rst verb determines the form of the second. This can be gerund (verb + ing) or the inni)ve (with or without to). I enjoy listening to music. I want to speak to you.

Gerunds & Infinitives

We use the gerund a@er certain verbs and expressions. You will have to study these verbs and expressions and with Dme you will develop an ear for language which will help you to know what is right and what is wrong.

Gerunds & Infinitives

Some verbs followed by the gerund are:

admit, avoid, cant help, cant stand, carry on, deny, enjoy, fancy, nish, give up, keep on, imagine, involve, mind, miss, postpone, pracDse, risk, stop, suggest.

Gerunds & Infinitives

We use the inni)ve a@er certain verbs and expressions. The inniDve can appear with or without to. You will have to study these verbs and expressions and with Dme you will develop an ear for language which will help you to know what is right and what is wrong.

Gerunds & Infinitives

Some verbs followed by the inni)ve (with to) are:

agree, appear, be able to, cant aord, cant wait, decide, expect, happen, have (got), help, learn, manage, oer, plan, pretend, promise, refuse, seem, teach, tend, threaten, want, would like

Gerunds & Infinitives

Some other verbs followed by the inni)ve (without to) are:

can, may, might, must, should, had beIer, would rather, make, let

Gerunds & Infinitives

In the passive, make is followed by the inniDve with to.

My boss makes us work hard. At school we were made to wear a uniform.

Gerunds & Infinitives

Some verbs can be followed by the gerund or inniDve (with to) with no change of meaning.

I started to work when I was 21. I started working when I was 21.

Gerunds & Infinitives

Like, love, hate and prefer can also be used with wither the inniDve with to or the gerund. However, the gerund is more common when you are talking generally, and the inniDve when you talk about a specic occasion.

I like skiing. (in general) I like to ski in February. (specic)

Gerunds & Infinitives

Some other verbs can be followed by the gerund or inniDve (with to), but with a change of meaning. These verb are remember, forget, try and need.

Gerunds & Infinitives

REMEMBER: 1. Remember + inni)ve = you remember rst,

then you do something. Remember to lock the door.

2. Remember + gerund = you do something when you remember it. I remember going to Venice as a child.

Gerunds & Infinitives

FORGET: 1. Forget + inni)ve = you didnt remember to

do something. I forgot to do it, sorry.

2. Forget + gerund = you did something and you wont forget it. It is more common in the negaDve. Ill never forget seeing the Taj Mahal.

Gerunds & Infinitives

TRY: 1. Try + inni)ve = make an eort to do

something. I tried to open the window.

2. Try + gerund = experiment to see if something works. Try calling Miriam on her mobile.

Gerunds & Infinitives

NEED: 1. Need + inni)ve = acDve construcDon.

You need to clean the car.

2. Need + gerund = passive construcDon. The car needs cleaning = needs to be cleaned.