gerunds and

infinitives
MODULE 4
 Introduction
When we try to create more complex
sentences, we might want to include a verb
after another verb. To do so, there are two
possibilities: Using a gerund or an infinitive.

Gerunds (verb + ing) can be used as the subject

of a sentence, after certain verbs and
expressions and after prepositions. It can also
function as the object of the sentence.

Infinitives are used after certain verbs and after

adjectives.
 They work as nouns in the following situations:
as the subject of the sentence:
Working on Sundays shouldn’t be allowed.
as the object of certain verbs, such as finish, avoid,

Gerunds She misses spending time with you.

recommend, miss, enjoy, suggest, imagine, regret, keep,
mind, dislike, mind...

after prepositions:
They apologised for forgetting about her birthday.
after certain structures, such as can’t stand, feel like, don’t
mind, it’s no use, look forward to, have no problem, have fun,
spend time, etc.
I’m looking forward to seeing you.
 We use to + infinitive in the following cases:

after verbs like decide, want, promise, hope,

Infinitives
pretend, refuse, offer, agree, seem, appear,

choose, expect, learn, plan, wish, allow, etc.

We decided to walk to school.

after some adjectives like easy, happy, sad,
lucky, weak, hard, nice, etc.
It was easy to reach a conclusion.
Gerunds or change in the meaning of the sentence:
Sometimes, it is possible to find verbs followed
by both a gerund or an infinitive without any

infinitives
(no change) I love skating/ to skate in the park.in the park.
like, love, hate, prefer, begin, start, continue...
 Sometimes, a gerund or an infinitive can be
found after a verb, but it implies a change in the

Gerunds or
meaning of the sentence, like in remember, stop,
forget or try.

infinitives remember + gerund (recordar haber hecho

(change)
algo)
I remember cooking with my grandmother.
remember + infinitive (acordarse de hacer
algo)
Remember to buy pasta at the supermarket.
Gerunds or infinitives+ verb
Some verbs are always followed by a gerund or to + infinitive. Some
of the most common verbs and their patterns are the following:

Verb + infinitive Verb + gerund

avoid
magine
afford hope carry on
mind
agree learn continue
spend time
arrange offer enjoy
suggest
decide promise finish
expect give up