USING GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

Gerunds and infinitives are verb forms that can take the place of a noun in a sentence. The
following guidelines and lists will help you figure out whether a gerund or infinitive is
needed.

Following a verb (gerund or infinitive)

Both gerunds and infinitives can replace a noun as the object of a verb. Whether you use
a gerund or an infinitive depends on the main verb in the sentence. Consult the lists
below to find out which form to use following which verbs.
I expect to have the report done by Friday.
He denied copying the information.

[INFINITIVE]
[GERUND]

1. VERB + GERUND (-ING)

Some common verbs followed by a gerund (note that phrasal verbs, marked here
with *, always fall into this category):
acknowledge
+* accuse of
+ admit
+ advise
appreciate
+avoid
complete
consider
delay
+deny
discuss
entail
+*give up
+imagine
+* insist on
+involve
mention
* plan on
+postpone
recall
resent
+recommend
risk
+suggest
tolerate
+*apologise for
+*complain about

She acknowledged receiving assistance.

He was accused of smuggling contraband goods.
They admitted falsifying the data.
The author advises undertaking further study.
I appreciated having a chance to read your draft.
He avoided answering my question.
I finally completed writing my thesis.
They will consider granting you money.
We delayed reporting the results until we were sure.
They denied copying the information.
They discussed running the experiments again.
This review procedure entails repeating the test.
He has given up smoking.
Can you imagine living in Hawai?
He insisted on proofreading the article again.
This procedure involves testing each sample twice.
The author mentions seeing this event.
They had planned on attending the conference.
The committee has postponed writing the report.
I cannot recall getting those results before.
He resented spending so much time on the project.
She recommends reading Marx.
She risks losing her viewing time.
I suggest repeating the experiment.
She can't tolerate waiting for results.
He apologised for being late
They complained about working conditions.

Some verb forms + -ing:

be used to : He is used to driving on the left.
got used to: He soon got used to driving on the left.
cant help: I cant help crying when I watch romantic films.
cant stand: I cant stand waiting.
dont mind / wouldnt mind: I wouldnt mind being famous.
feel like: I feel like eating a pizza.
its no use: Its no use crying over spilt milk.
spend(time): He spent two hours writing a document.
look forward to: I am looking forward to seeing him.

2. VERB + TO (infinitive)
+afford
+agree
+arrange
beg
care
+claim
+decide
+demand
deserve
+expect
+fail
hesitate
+hope
+learn
+manage
neglect
+need
+offer
+plan
prepare
+pretend
+promise
+refuse
seem
struggle
+swear
+threaten
+volunteer
wait
+want
+wish

We cannot afford to hesitate.

The professors agreed to disagree.
They had arranged to meet at noon.
He begged to be told the truth.
Would you care to respond?
She claims to have new data.
When did he decide to withdraw?
I demand to see the results of the survey.
She deserves to have a fair hearing.
The committee expects to decide by tomorrow.
You failed to mention the crucial point.
I hesitate to try the experiment again.
What do you hope to accomplish?
We have learned to proceed with caution.
How did she manage to find the solution?
The author neglected to provide an index.
Do we need to find new subjects?
We could offer to change the time of the meeting.
They had planned to attend the conference.
He was not prepared to give a lecture.
They pretended to be students.
They promise to demonstrate the new equipment.
She refused to cooperate any longer.
Something seems to be wrong with your design.
We struggled to understand her point of view.
He swears to tell the truth.
The team threatened to stop their research.
Will you volunteer to lead the group?
We could not wait to hear the outcome.
She did not want to go first.
Do you wish to participate?

3. VERB + an indirect object + TO (infinitive)

Some verbs are followed by a pronoun or noun referring to a person, and then an
infinitive. Gerunds cannot be used in this position.

+advise
+allow
+ask
+beg
cause
challenge
+convince
+encourage
+expect
+forbid
+force
hire
instruct
+invite
need
+order
+persuade
+recommend
+remind
require
teach
+tell
+urge
+want
warn

They advised me to study.

The teacher allowed us to use a dictionary.
I must ask you to reconsider your statement.
They begged Mary to stay for another term.
His findings caused him to investigate further.
Wilkins challenged Watson to continue the research.
Can we convince them to fund our study?
She encouraged him to look beyond the obvious.
They did not expect us to win an award.
The author forbade me to change his wording.
They cannot force her to reveal her sources.
Did the department hire him to teach the new course?
I will instruct her to prepare a handout.
We invite you to attend the ceremony.
They need her to show the slides.
He ordered the group to leave the building.
Can we persuade you to contribute again?
They recommended her to read the book.
Please remind him to check the references.
They will require you to send an outline.
We should teach them to follow standard procedures.
Did she tell him to make three copies?
I urge you to read the instructions before you begin.
I do not want you to have an accident.
Why didn't they warn me to turn down the heat?

4. SPECIAL USES:
A. make in the active and let (active and passive) take the infinitive without to:
He made me move my car ( but I was made to move my car).
She let us use her phone. (In the passive let is frequently replaced by allow:
After they had looked at our passposrt, we were allowed to go).
B. Verbs of the senses: feel, hear, see, can be used with object+infinitive without to,
but see and hear in the passive require the full infinitive:
I felt the house shake.
I heard her shout, Stop!.
I saw her take the money (but She was seen to take the money).
But these verbs are more often used with object + -ing:
I heard her shouting.
I saw her taking the money.
C. ask, decide, discover, find out, know, learn, remember, want to know,
wonder, understand + question word + to infinitive:
He found out how to open the safe. I dont know what to do with this rubbish.
D. Adjectives + to infinitive:
I am too tired to see a film now. (Purpose infinitive).
E. would rather + infinitive without to:
Would you like to go today? Id rather wait till tomorrow.
F. had better + infinitive without to:
You had better start at once, he said. (= He advised me to start at once).
G. Some verbs (love, like, prefer, hate, forget, remember, regret, stop) can be
followed by gerund or infinitive see Viewpoints 2, pages 110 and 111
Students Book).