Uses of the Infinitive

&
Uses of the Gerund
General uses
We use the INFINITIVE:
● To say why we do something:
I had an espresso to feel more alert.
● To say why something exists:
Here is a towel to wipe your hands on.
● After too and enough:
It’s too warm to stay inside, but it’s not
really warm enough to go to the beach.
● After adjectives:
I was surprised to hear she hadn’t got the
job.
We use the GERUND:
● After prepositions:
I’ve been thinking about going back to
university for some time now.
● After be/get used to:
When lockdown ends, we will have to get
used to being in public again.
● When a verb is acting as a noun
(especially as the subject of a verb):
Learning new languages opens lots of
new doors.
Some verbs that take the INFINITIVE
Verb + to + infinitive
Agree
Let’s agree to disagree.
Appear
The dog appeared to be lost.
Bother
You didn’t even bother to say hi!
Decide
We’ve decided to have a baby!
Demand
I demand to see the manager!
Fail
I fail to understand what happened
Hope
Mark hoped to live abroad one day.
Learn, Manage, Offer, Plan, Refuse,
Seem, Be supposed, Threaten
Verb + d/o + to + infinitive
Advise
I advise you to take your time.
Allow
This allows you to access the
library at any time.
Enable
My French lessons enabled me
to live in Paris.
Encourage
We encourage students to join
clubs and societies.
Forbid
I forbid you to leave!
Force, Invite, Order, Permit,
Persuade, Recommend, Remind,
Teach, Tell, Warn
Verb (+ d/o) + to + infinitive
Ask
She asked to see the feedback
She asked him to show her his
notes
Choose
I chose not to listen to him
I chose the watch to give to my
dad for his birthday.
Expect
She expects to get the top grade
in the class.
The admiral expects you to do
your duty.
Help, Intend, Promise, Want
Some verbs that take the GERUND
● Admit: Karen admitted stealing a pack of
biscuits from the shop.
● Appreciate: I really appreciated her taking
the time to help me.
● Avoid: Try to avoid going to bed late before
the test.
● Celebrate: Marianne celebrated getting a
promotion.
● Consider: You should consider buying a bike
● Delay: We had to delay moving abroad
because of the virus.
● Deny: The Hamburglar denied stealing
hamburgers, even though there was CCTV.
● Dislike: I don’t dislike waking up early, but
it’s not my favourite thing in the world.
● Enjoy: I’ve always enjoyed reading.
● Finish: I hope they finish renovating the flat
upstairs soon!
● Imagine: Imagine living on a tropical island…
● Involve: Becoming a doctor involves studying
for years.
● Keep: Why do you keep going back to him?!
● Mind: Do you mind looking after my cats?
● Miss: I miss spending time with you.
● Postpone, Practise, Risk, Suggest

Also: It’s no good..., It’s not worth…, It’s no use…, It’s a waste of time…, Can’t stand…, Can’t bear…,
Can’t help...
 INFINITIVE or GERUND
(different meaning):
On my way home, I stopped to buy a I stopped buying newspapers because I
newspaper. had a subscription to the website instead.

Sorry sir, but I regret to inform you that I really regret telling Mary about my
your application has been unsuccessful. family’s money.

I really need to cut my hair, it’s a mess! My hair really needs cutting, it’s a mess!

Remember to lock the door when you I don’t remember locking this door, but
leave. now I can’t find the key!

I tried to climb through a small window, but Jeremy tried fitting his hand through the
I didn’t fit letterbox, and was able to open the door.

You forgot to put the milk in the fridge last I’ll never forget putting that ring on your
night! finger. What a day!