Gerunds and infinitives

Gerunds (verb-ing) Infinitives (to verb)

We use the gerund: We use the infinitive

• As the subject of a sentence. • To explain why somebody does something.

Understanding other people´s opinions isn´t A: why did you shout at the waiter?
easy. B: To tell him that the food was not good

• After a preposition. (by, on, in, about, at, for, • Immediately after adjectives (easy, difficult,
of, etc.) important)

I learn by watching. I found it easy to talk about how I feel

• After a verb of liking of disliking (like, love, • After certain verbs, eg. Want, learn, agree,
enjoy, can´t stand, don´t mind, hate) decide, expect, hope, seem, try, would like.

I love giving presents. Nobody wanted to make the decision

• With go to talk about physical activities.

When I go shopping, I don´t buy anything
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