Grammar Gerund and Infinitive

A verb can be followed by another verb. The second one usually needs to change
into gerund (-ing form) or to + infinitive form.
Examples:
1. I would like drink some coffee. × I would like to drink some coffee. 
2. He’s finished wash the car. × He’s finished washing the car. 
3. They asked me help them. × They asked me to help them. 
4. I hate people tell me what to do. × I hate people telling me what to do. 

 Infinitive: to + [verb] such as: to do, to listen, to study, etc.

 Gerund: Verb + ing (or –ing form) such as: working, cooking, playing, etc.

(A gerund is the noun form of verb)

*Note: There isn’t a grammatical rule about when to use gerunds or infinitives in
the sentence. We choose the gerund or the infinitive based on the verb that
precedes the expression.
Examples:
o The verb “agree” is followed by the infinitive.
He agreed to meet me.  He agreed meeting me. ×
She agreed to wait for me.  She agreed waiting for me. ×
o The verb “finish” is followed by the gerund.
He finishes working.  He finishes to cook. ×
They finished cooking.  They finished to cook. ×
o The verb “start” is followed by either by gerund or infinitive.
He started writing.
She started to write.
I. Gerund
1) We use gerund like a noun:
 As the subject of a sentence:
Ex: Swimming is my favourite sport.
Brushing your hair prevents it from tangling.
 As direct objects when used with another verb. Direct objects answer the
question “what?”
Ex: Mary loves skating.
 (Mary loves what? Mary loves skating.)
I enjoy running every morning.
(I enjoy what? I enjoy running.)
Tom doesn’t like getting up early.
(Tom doesn’t like what? Tom doesn’t like getting up early)
 Used after linking verbs (to be, modal verbs, and some verbs like feel,
seem, mean,etc.) and complement the subject of the sentence.
Ex: The most important thing is learning.
His mistake was talking too much.
Being a student sometimes means spending long ours with books.
 After the verb + preposition or adjective + preposition
Ex: He is good at singing.
We’re thinking of moving house.
Phanin is interested in drawing.
Thyda thanked her teacher for helping her.
2) The -ing form is used after some verbs (Verbs + ing form):
 Verbs of liking and disliking: enjoy, like, love, hate, dislike, fancy, etc.
 Phrases with ‘mind’ – like ‘I don’t mind ‘
 Verbs of saying and thinking: admit, consider, deny, imagine, remember,
suggest, recommend, etc.
 Other common verbs: avoid, begin, finish, keep, miss, practise, risk, start, stop,
can’t stand, loathe, etc.
Ex: I enjoy drinking my coffee in the morning.
Yesterday, we discussed going to Italy on vacation.
Your drawings are quite good, keep on practicing.
Peter tried to avoid answering his father’s questions.
Have you ever considered crossing that beautiful lake on a raft?
3) Some verbs are followed by an object (a noun or a pronoun) and -ing.
(Verb + Sb + -ing form)
Ex: I hate people lying me.
You can’t stop me doing what I want.
I can hear someone calling.
II. Infinitive
1) Some verbs can be followed only by a “to-infinitive”
(Verbs + to -infinitive):
 verbs of wanting or liking: expect, intend, would prefer, want, would like,
would love, etc.
 verbs of thinking and feeling: decide, expect, hope, learn, seem, want, plan,
intend, plan, choose, etc.
 verbs of saying: agree, promise, refuse, offer, etc.
 other common verbs: afford, appear, choose, fail, manage, wait, forget, etc.
Ex: We agreed to go to the cinema together with Ann.
Steffany decided to take a taxi, because it was late.
I promise to follow your piece of advice.
Last year Jack learned to play table tennis.
She feels offended and she doesn’t want to see him.
2) Some verbs can be followed by an object (a noun or a pronoun) and a to-
infinitive: (Verbs + Sb + to -infinitive)
 verbs of wanting or liking: expect, intend, would prefer, want, would like,
would love, etc.
 verbs of saying: advise, ask, encourage, invite, order, persuade, remind,
tell, warn, etc.
 other common verbs: allow, enable, force, get, teach, etc.
Ex: He wants me to finish all my homework tomorrow.
My friends persuade her to go to movie theatre.
My teacher allowed Dara to leave school early.
3) Make, help, and let are followed by a person + infinitive without to or bare
infinitive: (Make/let/help + Sb + bare infinitive)
Ex: He makes me feel happy.
I’ll let you know what it is.
4) To + -infinitive is used after some adjectives:
Ex: It’s impossible to save money.
It’s great to see you.
Pleased to meet you.
Be careful! Some verbs are followed by both gerund and infinitive, but
they have a little change or no change in meaning: start, stop, continue, begin,
remember, forget, go on, regret, try, mean, learn, need, keep, attempt, intent,
like, love, prefer, dislike, hate, hate, etc.
Notes
1. I remember posting the letter.
(= I have a memory now of a past action; posting the letter.)
I remembered to post the letter.
(= I reminded myself to post the letter. I didn’t forget.)
2. I stopped drinking coffee.
(= I gave up the habit.)
I stopped to drink coffee.
(= I stopped doing something else in order to have a cup of coffee.)
3. I tried to sleep.
(= I wanted to sleep, but it was difficult.)
I tried counting sheep and drinking a glass of warm milk.
(= These were possible ways of getting to sleep.)
 Exercise
Name: ……………………… Total Score: ________ /30

I. Choose the correct gerund or infinitive from the parenthesis at the end of the sentence.

1. Alan can’t stand __________ on trains. (riding/ to ride)

2. Mr. Harris enjoys _________ people out to dinner. (inviting / to invite)
3. In the old days, gentlemen challenged their arrivals _______. (fighting / to fight)
4. Jim stopped _________ his shoelace. Wait for him. (tying / to tie)
5. My wife always volunteers ___________ cakes PTA meetings. (baking / to bake)
6. Don’t waste my time ___________ about your salary. (complaining/ to complain)
7. I consider _________ fishing with my girlfriend. (going/ to go)
8. Please allow me ____________ your Facebook page. (joining / to join)
9. You won’t forget _________milk on your way home, will you?

(picking up /to pick up)

II. Put the verb into the gerund or the infinitive:

1. She delayed ____________ (get) out of bed.

2. He demanded __________ (speak) to the manager.

3. I offered ___________ (help).

4. I miss ___________ (go) to the beach.

5. We postponed __________ (do).

6. I'd hate ___________ (arrive) too late.

7. She admitted _________ (steal) the money.

8. I chose ___________ (work) here.

9. She waited ___________ (buy) a drink.

10. I really appreciate __________ (be) on holiday.

III. Choose and write

About at at in of on on with before for of

1. My friends are very keen on playing computer games

2. I’m good ____ drawing.
3. My cousin’s interested _____ studying history.
4. I’m bad ___ writing history.
5. My best friend is crazy _____ cooking.

6. I’m not very fond _______ painting

7. She’s very keen ________ learning about computer.
8. I’m bored _______ watching cartoons on TV.
9. I drank a cup of coffee _______ leaving.
10.Most people use computer ________ working.
11.He’s afraid ________ flying.
 Answer Key
I. Choose the correct gerund or infinitive
1. riding
2. inviting
3. fighting/to fight
4. to tie
5. to bake
6. complaining
7. going
8. to join
9. picking up
II. Gerund or infinitive
1. getting
2. to speak
3. to help
4. going
5. doing
6. to arrive
7. stealing
8. to work
9. to buy
10. being
III. Choose and Write
1. on
2. at
3. in
4. at
5. about
6. of
7. on
8. with
9. before
10.for
11. of