Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerunds and Infinitives

Here is a brief review of the differences between gerunds and infinitives.
Gerunds are formed with ING.
walking, talking, thinking, listening
Infinitives are formed with TO.
to walk, to talk, to think, to listen
Gerunds and infinitives can do several jobs:
Both gerunds and infinitives can be the subject of a sentence.
Writing in English is difficult.
To write in English is difficult.
Both gerunds and infinitives can be the object of a verb.
I like writing in English.
I like to write in English.
But... only gerunds can be the object of a preposition.
We are talking about writing in English.
Usage
It is often difficult to know when to use a gerund and when to use an
infinitive. These guidelines may help you.

Gerunds

Gerunds are often used when actions are real, concrete,

or completed.
For example: I stopped smoking.
(The smoking was real and happened until I stopped.)

Infinitive
s

Infinitives are often used when actions

are unreal, abstract, or future.
For example: I stopped to smoke.
(I was doing something else, and I stopped; the smoking
had not happened yet.)

Verbs + gerund or infinitive without changing in meaning.

Some verbs can be followed by either GERUND or INFINITIVE without
changing in meaning. Here is a list of some of those verbs:
ADVISE
LIKE

ALLOW
LOVE

BEGIN
PERMIT

CEASE
PREFER

CONTINUE
RECOMMEND

HATE

INTEND

START

I advised him to sell the car.

I advised selling the car .
I prefer to go to the pool today.
Verbs + gerund or infinitive with changing in meaning.
Some verbs can be followed by either GERUND or INFINITIVE, but they
have different meaning.
STOP
He stopped smoking last year.
He stopped to smoke a cigarette.
REGRET
I regret wasting so much money.
I regret to tell you that he has died.
REMEMBER
I remember taking the suitcase.
I remembered to take the suitcase.
FORGET
I will never forget visiting the Tower of London.
David always forgets to visit his grandmother.

Some common verbs followed by a gerund (note that phrasal verbs,

marked here with *, always fall into this category):
acknowledge She acknowledged receiving assistance.
* accuse of

He was accused of smuggling contraband goods.

admit

They admitted falsifying the data.

advise

The author advises undertaking further study.

anticipate

He anticipates having trouble with his supervisor.

appreciate

I appreciated having a chance to read your draft.

avoid

He avoided answering my question.

complete

I finally completed writing my thesis.

consider

They will consider granting you money.

defer

She deferred writing her report.

delay

We delayed reporting the results until we were sure.

deny

They denied copying the information.

discuss

They discussed running the experiments again.

entail

This review procedure entails repeating the test.

* look after

He will look after mailing the tickets.

* insist on

He insisted on proofreading the article again.

involve

This procedure involves testing each sample twice.

justify

My results justify taking drastic action.

mention

The author mentions seeing this event.

* plan on

They had planned on attending the conference.

postpone

The committee has postponed writing the report.

recall

I cannot recall getting those results before.

resent

He resented spending so much time on the project.

recommend

She recommends reading Marx.

resist

The writer resists giving any easy answers.

risk

She risks losing her viewing time.

sanction

They will not sanction copying without permission.

suggest

I suggest repeating the experiment.

* take care
of

He will take care of sending it to you.

tolerate

She can't tolerate waiting for results.

Some common verbs followed by an infinitive:

afford

We cannot afford to hesitate.

agree

The professors agreed to disagree.

appear

The results appear to support your theory.

arrange

They had arranged to meet at noon.

beg

I beg to differ with you.

care

Would you care to respond?

claim

She claims to have new data.

consent

Will you consent to run for office?

decide

When did he decide to withdraw?

demand

I demand to see the results of the survey.

deserve

She deserves to have a fair hearing.

expect

The committee expects to decide by tomorrow.

fail

The trial failed to confirm his hypothesis.

hesitate

I hesitate to try the experiment again.

hope

What do you hope to accomplish?

learn

We have learned to proceed with caution.

manage

How did she manage to find the solution?

neglect

The author neglected to provide an index.

need

Do we need to find new subjects?

offer

We could offer to change the time of the meeting.

plan

They had planned to attend the conference.

prepare

He was not prepared to give a lecture.

pretend

I do not pretend to know the answer.

promise

They promise to demonstrate the new equipment.

refuse

She refused to cooperate any longer.

seem

Something seems to be wrong with your design.

struggle

We struggled to understand her point of view.

swear

He swears to tell the truth.

threaten

The team threatened to stop their research.

volunteer

Will you volunteer to lead the group?

wait

We could not wait to hear the outcome.

want

She did not want to go first.

wish

Do you wish to participate?

Certain verbs may be followed by an object and then by an infinitive with to

I told you to do it. The negative infinitive is formed with not I told you
not to do it.
subject

verb

object

(not) to + infinitive

Marco's mother

ordered

him

to get into

the car.

Elena

told

the children

not to touch

the glasses.

Verbs followed by an object and the to-infinitive

advise
allow
ask
beg
cause
choose

command
convince
enable
encourage
expect
force

hire
instruct
invite
need
order
permit

persuade
prepare
promise
remind
require
tell

threaten
urge
want
warn
wish
would like

Could you ask her to copy this letter for me?

She begged him not to leave her.
How can we encourage a baby to use the toilet rather than his potty?
Do you expect me to believe you?
The teacher instructed the students to line up in pairs.
I've invited Jill to come to dinner on Saturday.
I tried to persuade them to stay, but they said they were too tired.
I reminded Andy to bring a bottle of wine and some snacks.
The doctor told me to give up smoking.
The professor warned us to be diligent with our weekly assignments.
Following a preposition (gerund only)

Gerunds can follow a preposition; infinitives cannot.

Can you touch your toes without bending your knees?
He was fined for driving over the speed limit.
She got the money by selling the car.
A corkscrew is a tool for taking corks out of bottles.
Some common verbs followed by an indirect object plus an
infinitive:
ask

I must ask you to reconsider your statement.

beg

They begged her to stay for another term.

cause

His findings caused him to investigate further.

challenge

Wilkins challenged Watson to continue the research.

convince

Can we convince them to fund our study?

encourage

She encouraged him to look beyond the obvious.

expect

They did not expect us to win an award.

forbid

The author forbade me to change his wording.

force

They cannot force her to reveal her sources.

hire

Did the department hire him to teach the new course?

instruct

I will instruct her to prepare a handout.

invite

We invite you to attend the ceremony.

need

They need her to show the slides.

order

He ordered the group to leave the building.

persuade

Can we persuade you to contribute again?

remind

Please remind him to check the references.

require

They will require you to submit an outline.

teach

We should teach them to follow standard procedures.

tell

Did she tell him to make three copies?

urge

I urge you to read the instructions before you begin.

want

I do not want you to have an accident.

warn

Why didn't they warn me to turn down the heat?

The infinitive of purpose

We use the to-infinitive:
to express purpose (to answer "Why...?"):
He bought some flowers to give to his wife.
He locked the door to keep everyone out.
I'm calling to place an order for delivery.
Diva went to the door to open it.
To pass this test, you need to achieve a score of 75% or more.
We sometimes say in order to or in order not to:
We set off early in order to avoid the traffic.
They spoke quietly in order not to wake the children
He took a book with him in order to have something to read on the
train.
In order not to lose time, we must act at once.
or we can say so as to or so as not to:
We set off early so as to avoid the traffic.
The parties started negotiations so as to reach an agreement as soon
as possible.
They spoke quietly so as not to wake the children.
He tiptoed through the hall so as not to be heard.
The infinitive of purpose can only be used if the doer of the action
expressed by the infinitive is the same as the subject of the main
clause. If the subjects are different, we can use so + that-clause with
the present simple tense or with the modal verbs may, can, will,
might, could or would:
Jerry works hard so that his family has everything they need.
I'll leave the door open so that you can come in.
Tina gave me a shopping list so that I wouldn't forget anything.
In order + that-clause is also possible in this case; however, it is
more formal and less common. In the that-clause, we can use the
modal verbs may, shall, might or should:

Our company does everything in order that all complaints may be

dealt with fairly and effectively.
With the verbs come and go, we can use the infinitive of purpose in
any present or past tense or if these verbs are used as gerunds:
I'm just coming to help.
We went to talk to a lawyer.
Have you thought of going to see a doctor?
But if come and go are used as infinitives or as imperatives, we use
and instead of to:
I must go and check the heater.
He will come and dance with you.
Go and fetch a glass.

after certain adjectives.

Sometimes the to-infinitive gives a reason for the adjective:

disappointed

glad

pleased

sad

surprised

happy

proud

anxious

unhappy

We were happy to come to the end of our journey

= We were happy because we had come to the end of our journey
John was surprised to see me
= He was surprised because he saw me

Other adjectives with the to-infinitive are:

unable

likely

unwilling

due

unlikely

willing

eager

ready

keen

prepared

Unfortunately I was unable to work for over a week.

I am really tired. Im ready to go to bed.

We often use the to-infinitive with these adjectives after it to give

opinions:

difficult

hard

nice

easy

right

clever

possible

wrong

silly

impossible

kind

foolish

Its easy to play the piano, but its very difficult to play well.
He spoke so quickly it was impossible to understand him.

We use the preposition for to show who these adjectives refer to:

difficult

impossible

easy

hard

possible

It was difficult for us to hear what she was saying.

It is easy for you to criticise other people.

We use the preposition of with other adjectives:

Its kind of you to help.

It would be silly of him to spend all his money.

As a postmodifier (see noun phrases) after abstract nouns like:

ability

wish

opportunity

desire

attempt

chance

need

failure

intention

I have no desire to be rich.

They gave him an opportunity to escape.
She was annoyed by her failure to answer the question correctly.

We often use a to-infinitive as a postmodifier after an indefinite

pronoun.

When I am travelling I always take something to read.

I was all alone. I had no one to talk to.
There is hardly anything to do in most of these small towns.

Gerund as Subject, Object or

Complement

Try to think of a gerund as a noun in verb form.

Like nouns, gerunds can be the subject, object or complement of a

sentence:

1.

Smoking costs a lot of money.

2.

I don't like writing.

3.

My favourite occupation is reading.

But, like verbs, a gerund can also have an object itself. In this case,
the whole expression (gerund + object) can be the subject, object or
complement of the sentence.

Smoking cigarettes costs a lot of money.

I don't like writing letters.

My favourite occupation is reading detective stories.

Like nouns, we can use gerunds with adjectives (including articles

and other determiners):

pointless questioning

a settling of debts

the making of this film

his drinking of alcohol

When we use a gerund with an article, it does not usually take a

direct object:

a settling of debts (not a settling debts)

Making this film was expensive.

The making of this film was expensive.

A gerund clause can be the subject of a sentence:

Hiking can be a relaxing and rewarding activity.
Swimming in the winter can boost your immune system.
Learning a foreign language is easier at a young age.

The use of the gerund as subject is more common than that of the
to-infinitive.

1. A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing." The gerund

form of the verb "read" is "reading." You can use a gerund as the
subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence.

Examples:

Reading helps you learn English. SUBJECT OF SENTENCE

Her favorite hobby is reading. COMPLEMENT OF SENTENCE

I enjoy reading. OBJECT OF SENTENCE

Gerunds can be made negative by adding "not."

Examples:

He enjoys not working.

The best thing for your health is not smoking.

Infinitive and Gerund

Infinitive

After an adjective
to use.

After certain verbs (with to)

the bill.

Example: The new computer is really easy

Example: He refused to pay

afford
agree
appear
arrange
beg
choose
decide
expect
fail

Gerund
As the subject of a clause
health.
After a preposition
going out.
Verbs followed by Gerund

admit
advise
allow
avoid
can't help
can't stand

help
hesitate
hope
learn
manage
mean
offer
plan
prepare

pretend
promise
refuse
want
wish
would like
would love
would prefer

Example: Cycling is good for your

Example: I did my homework before
Example: I enjoy cooking.
deny
dislike
enjoy
fancy
finish
keep

mind
miss
permit
practise
suggest
waste time/
money

Verbs with Prepositions followed by Gerund

Example: I'm looking forward to seeing you again soon.

accuse of
agree with
apologize for
ask about
believe in
be used to
blame for
care for
carry on

complain
about
concentrate
on
depend on
dream
about/of
feel like
forgive for

give up
insist on
keep on
look forward
to
object to
think of
succeed in
use for

Words followed either by Infinitive or Ing-Form

Words with the same meaning
Example: I started to read. / I started reading.

attemp
t
begin

bother

cannot
bear

cease

continu
e
hate

intend
love
prefer
start

Words with the same meaning but different use

Word

Advise

allow /
permit
Forbid

Gerund meaning

with regard to the future

with regard to the past

Do you remember switching
off the lights?

go
on

reg
ret

Remember to switch off

the lights.

start something new

Go on to read.

with regard to the future

try

continue with the same

action
Go on reading.

sto
p

I regret to say thats

wrong.
Spanish: Lamento decir
que est mal.

interrupt another action

with regard to the past

I regret saying that.
Spanish: Lamento haber
dicho que est mal.

Terminate

I stopped to smoke.

I stopped smoking.

do something complicated

do it and see what happens

He allowed taking the

car.
She forbids smoking.

Infinitive meaning

Gerund without an
object
I advise going by bus.

Wo
rds
forg
et /
rem
em
ber

Words with a different meaning

Infinitive - with an
object
I advise you to go by
bus.
He allowed her to take
the car.
She forbids us to
smoke.

Try to solve this riddle.

Try talking to him.

Gerund or Infinitive - Exercise 1

1) A lot of people are worried about _______their jobs. (lose)

2) He agreed _______ a new car. (buy)

3) The question is easy _______ (answer)
4) Not everybody can afford _______ to university. (go)
5) I look forward to _______ you at the weekend. (see)
6) Are you thinking of _______ London? (visit)
7) He apologized for _______ so late. (arrive)
8) Stop _______ (make) noise, please; Im studying.
9) She doesn't mind _______ the night shift. (work)
10) I learned ______ the bike at the age of 5.(ride)
Gerund or Infinitive - Exercise 2
1) We decided _______ a new car. (buy)
2) I regret _______ you we wont lend you the money. (tell)
3) Peter gave up _______. (smoke)
4) He'd like _______ an airplane.(fly)
5) I enjoy _______ picture postcards. (write)
6) He offered _______ help with the cleaning. (help)
7) Avoid _______ silly mistakes. (make)
8) My parents wanted me _______ home at 11 o'clock. (be)
9) I dream about _______ a big house. (build)
10) He advised me _______ so much money. (not spend)
Gerund or Infinitive Exercise 1
1 Fill the gaps with the verb in brackets in the appropriate form.
1 I can't stand ________________ in queues. (to wait )
2 I wouldn't like ________________ in his shoes. (to be )
3 Jim loves ________________ in Thailand. (to work )
4 I hate ________________ the shopping on Saturday. (to do )
5 Blast! I forgot ________________ milk. (to buy )
6 In the end we decided ________________ in. (to stay)
7 I need ________________ some information about Portugal. (to
find )
8 My parents like ________________ for long walks at the weekend.
(to go )
9 Tony gave up ________________ years ago. (to smoke )
10 I wanted ________________ and see Troy but no one else was
interested. ( to go )
11 Mrs. Leith offered ________________ us to the airport. (to take )
12 Clare refused ________________ clean up after the party. (to
help )
13 I tried ________________ him to come but it was no use. (to
persuade )
14 Do you mind not ________________ ? (to smoke )
15 Everybody really enjoyed ________________ the cha-cha-cha.
(to dance )
16 Lionel admitted ________________ my chocolate mousse. (to eat
)
Gerund or Infinitive Exercise 2

1 Use the verbs in brackets to fill the gaps.

1 We arranged ____________ under the station clock at half nine.
(to meet )
2 I always try to avoid _____________ him whenever I can. (to
see )
3 I long _____________ in Scotland again. (to be )
4 My Mum demanded _____________ the manager. (to see )
5 My brother denied _____________ my chocolate mousse. Maybe
his hamster ate it. ( to eat )
6 I tried _____________ but I just couldn't. ( to understand )
7 In the end I gave up _____________ to persuade her. ( to try )
8 Charlie was pretending _____________ a chicken. ( to be )
9 They chose _____________ in a cheap hotel but spend more
money on meals. ( to stay)
10 We like Galicia so much that we keep _____________ back there.
( to go )
11 He deserves _____________ severely punished. ( to be )
12 When we visit my aunt, they expect me _____________ on my
best behaviour. ( to be )
13 I didn't mean _____________ her feelings. I'm really sorry. ( to
hurt )
14 I always put off _____________ my homework until the last
possible moment. ( to do )
15 He goes on _____________ me the same thing over and over
again. ( to tell )
16 I can't stand _____________ in the queue at the baker's. ( to
wait )
17 The firemen managed _____________ the fire pretty quickly.
( to put out )
18 I never risk _____________ through that part of town. ( to go )
19 Clare offered _____________ me to the airport, which was very
kind of her. ( to take )
20 Dad threatened _____________ my pocket money if I didn't do
my homework. ( to stop )
Gerund or Infinitive Exercise 1 answers
1 I can't stand waiting in queues. ( to wait )
2 I wouldn't like to be in his shoes. ( to be )
3 Jim loves working in Thailand. ( to work )
4 I hate doing the shopping on Saturday. ( to do )
5 Blast! I forgot to buy milk. ( to buy )
6 In the end we decided to stay in. ( to stay )
7 I need to find some information about Portugal. ( to find )
8 My parents like going for long walks at the weekend. ( to go )
9 Tony gave up smoking years ago. ( to smoke )
10 I wanted to go and see Troy but no one else was interested. ( to
go )
11 Mrs Leith offered to take us to the airport. ( to take )

12
13
14
15
16

Clare refused to help clean up after the party. ( to help )

I tried to persuade him to come but it was no use. ( to persuade )
Do you mind not smoking ? ( to smoke )
Everybody really enjoyed dancing the cha-cha-cha. ( to dance )
Lionel admitted eating my chocolate mousse. ( to eat )

Gerund or Infinitive Exercise 2 answers

1 We arranged to meet under the station clock at half nine. ( to
meet )
2 I always try to avoid seeing him whenever I can. ( to see )
3 I long to be in Scotland again. ( to be )
4 My Mum demanded to see the manager. ( to see )
5 My brother denied eating my chocolate mousse. Maybe his
hamster ate it. ( to eat)
6 I tried to understand but I just couldn't. (to understand )
7 In the end I gave up trying to persuade her. ( to try )
8 Charlie was pretending to be a chicken. (to be )
9 They chose to stay in a cheap hotel but spend more money on
meals. (to stay )
10 We like Galicia so much that we keep going back there. (to go )
11 He deserves to be severely punished. (to be )
12 When we visit my aunt, they expect me to be on my best
behavior. (to be )
13 I didn't mean to hurt her feelings. I'm really sorry. (to hurt )
14 I always put off doing my homework until the last possible
moment.(to do)
15 He goes on telling me the same thing over and over again.(to
tell )
16 I can't stand waiting in the queue at the baker's. (to wait )
17 The firemen managed to put out the fire pretty quickly. (to put
out )
18 I never risk going through that part of town. (to go )
19 Clare offered to take me to the airport, which was very kind of her.
(to take)
20 Dad threatened to stop my pocket money if I didn't do my
homework. (to stop )