INFINITIVE AND GERUND

A. INFINITIVE
1. After an adjective
Example: The new computer is easy to use.
2. After certain verbs (with to)
Example: He refused to pay the bill.
afford love ask need continue prefer

demand promise hate start intend

like arrange mean (= intend) choose plan

pretend forget remember hope want

agree manage begin offer decide

fail refuse help try learn

3. Verbs followed by A DIRECT OBJECT and A TO-INFINITIVE

Example: I advised HIM to get a job as soon as possible.

advise request prefer need intend forbid

hate ask teach recommend order invite

like help challenge tell remind

persuade love instruct choose want

4. Verbs followed by an infinitive WITHOUT TO

Let, make + Object + Verb

Example: Let me show you this DVD I’ve got.

Example: They made us wait while they checked our documents.

 Help can be followed by an infinitive without to or a to-infinitive

Example: She helped me (to) find a direction in life.

Example: Everyone can help (to) reduce carbon emissions by using public transport.

B. GERUND
1. As the subject of a clause

Example: Cycling is good for your health.

2. After a preposition

Example: I did my homework before going out.

3. Verbs followed by Gerund

Example: I enjoy cooking.

admit avoid (can’t) help (can’t) stand consider suggest

deny dislike enjoy fancy feel like
finish give up imagine involve keep (on)
mind miss practise put off risk

C. Verbs followed by a to-infinitive or -ing

Hate, like, love, prefer can be followed either by -ing or a to-infinitive. THE DIFFERENCE IN
MEANING IS SMALL. The -ing form emphasizes the verb itself. The to-infinitive puts the
emphasis more on the preference for, or the results of, the action.

I like cooking Indian food. I like to drink juice in the morning, and tea at
 emphasis on the process itself & lunchtime.
enjoyment of it  emphasis more on the preference or habit

She hates cleaning her room. I hate to be the only person to disagree.
 emphasis on the process itself and no  emphasis more on the result: I would
enjoyment of it prefer not to be in that situation.
 D. To-infinitive or -ing form with A CHANGE IN MEANING
go on try
remember mean
-ing form
Working in London means leaving home at 6.30.
 Because I work in London, this is the result or
consequence.
He went on singing after everyone else had
finished.
 He continued singing without stopping.
I tried searching the web and finally found an
address for him.
 I searched the web to see what
information I could find.
She stopped crying as soon as she saw her
mother.
 She was crying, and then she didn’t cry
anymore.
The kitchen wants painting.
 The kitchen needs to be painted.
I remember meeting her once. It must have been
about five years ago.
 have a memory of something we did
I’m going to regret eating all those nachos.
 Feel sorry/unhappy about what you did in
the past.
regret want
stop
To infinitive
I didn’t mean to make you cry.
 I didn’t intend to make you cry.
She recited a poem, then went on to sing a lovely
folk song.
 She recited the poem first, then she sang
the song.
I tried to email Simon but it bounced back.
 I tried/attempted to email him but I did not
succeed.
We stopped to buy some water at the motorway
service area.
 We were travelling and we stopped for a
short time in order to buy some water.
What do you want to eat for dinner tonight?
 wish or desire
Remember to save your work often, just in case
your computer crashes.
 don’t forget to do something
We regret to inform you that your application has
not been successful.
 You regret something you are about to say.