Gerund and

Infinitive
Grammar

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 Bare infinitive
I can swim.
Full infinitive
I want to swim.
Gerund
I enjoy swimming.

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 She enjoys listening
……..………. to music.
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 He must study.
.………. for the exams.
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 I wash my hands beforeeating.
……….
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 Ali was tired after.……….
running.
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 He may.……….
lose his money gambling.
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 She is good at.……….
drawing.
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 You should help
.………. him move the boxes.
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 He decided.…………….
to travel abroad.
travelling
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 Prepositions

I wash my hands before eating.

Ali was tired after running.
She is good at drawing.

Modals

You must study for the exams.

Latifa should help her friends.
He may lose his money gambling.
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 Gerund and Infinitive
Some expressions are followed by:
1. bare infinitive ( without “to”): I can swim.

2. full infinitive ( to+inf): I want to swim.

3. gerunds ( V+ing): I enjoy swimming.

Bare infinitive is used after Full infinitive is used after:
Will, let, would rather, had Afford, agree, appear,
better, help, make, shall, choose, dare, decide,
Modals: should, would, demand, deserve,
can, could, may, might, encourage, expect, fail,
must. happen, hesitate, hope,
intend, learn, manage, need,
offer, plan, promise, refuse,
seem, urge, want.
Love, like, hate, start, prefer
Gerund is used after:
Admit, appreciate, avoid, can’t
help, carry on, consider, delay,
deny, detest, dislike, enjoy, excuse,
feel like, finish, give up, hate,
imagine, involve, love, mind, miss,
postpone, practise, recommend,
report, risk, can’t stand, suggest.
Love, like, hate, start, prefer
Prepositions: for, from, before, in,
at, about, after, by …

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 Gerunds and Infinitives
• Some verbs (e.g. love, like, hate, start, prefer) can take gerund or infinitive, with
similar meanings.

Examples:
• I love to eat chocolates.
• I love eating chocolates.
• I started to clean the car, but then decided not to.
• I started cleaning the car, but then decided not to.

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 • Put the verbs in brackets into the gerund or the infinitive.
1. I want _____ (finish) work early tonight.
2. I hate ______ (wait) for buses in the rain.
3. I will give up_____ (smoke) in Ramadan.
4. Sam is really good at _____ (climb).
5. Thank you for ____ (be) so helpful.
6. I love _____ (listen) to the radio while cooking.
7. Let’s go now. I’m worried about _____ (miss) the train.
8. He refused _____ (help) me.

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 Put the verbs in brackets into the gerund or the infinitive.

1. I intend _______ (do) a lot of work today.

2. ‘What is this for?’
‘It’s for _______ (cook) the vegetables.’
3. I really love _____ (play) with the children.
4. Ali practices ______ (swim) every Friday.
5. I can’t stand _____ (do) the washing-up.
6. We managed ______ (pass) the exam by _____ (test) each
other every evening.
7. I happen _______ (hear) about the new baby. 15
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Verb Bare infinitive Infinitive with to Gerund

Watch Ali will watch a I decided to watch She hates

movie tonight the match with watching golf.
him.

Listen

Travel

Study

Buy
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 Put the verbs in brackets into the gerund or the
infinitive.

1. I don’t feel like______________ (go) out tonight.

2. She avoided ______________ (tell) him about her plans.
3. I hesitate______________ (come) to the party with you.
4. He enjoys ______________ (have) a bath in the evening.
5. She avoided______________ (talk) during the film.
6. I decided ______________ (learn) English.
7. Do you mind ______________ (give) me a hand?
8. She helped me ______________ (carry) my suitcases.
9. I’ve finished ______________ (cook). Come and eat!
10. He might______________ (study) Biology.
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 Put the verbs in brackets 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) our homework.
6. I’d hate ______________ (arrive) too late.
7. She admitted ______________ (steal) the money.
8. I chose ______________ (work) here.
9. She failed______________ (buy) a car.
10. I really appreciate ______________ (be) on holiday.
11. I couldn’t help ______________ (laugh).
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