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Gerunds and Infinitives
One of the most challenging áreas of English grammar is knowing whether to use a gerund (verb + -ing) or an infinitive (to + verb) after certain verbs, adjectives, and prepositions.
Verbs followed by gerund (-ing)
These verbs are ALWAYS followed by the gerund form:
enjoy, finish, avoid, mind, suggest, practise, deny, admit, consider, imagine, miss, risk, keep, delay, postpone, give up, carry on, feel like, can not help, can not stand, it is no use, it is worth
- "I enjoy reading novels."
- "She avoids eating junk food."
- "He denied stealing the money."
- "It is not worth waiting any longer."
Verbs followed by infinitive (to + verb)
want, hope, decide, plan, expect, agree, refuse, offer, promise, manage, afford, learn, pretend, seem, appear, tend, fail, arrange, choose, wish, would like
- "She decided to leave early."
- "I can not afford to buy a new car."
- "He refused to answer the question."
Verbs followed by object + infinitive
tell, ask, advise, encourage, allow, permit, force, remind, warn, invite, expect, want, would like, order
"She told me to wait." / "They allowed us to leave." / "He encouraged her to apply."
Verbs that change meaning with gerund or infinitive
| Verb + gerund | Verb + infinitive |
|---|
| remember + -ing = remember a past action: "I remember locking the door." | remember + to = not forget to do: "Remember to lock the door." |
| stop + -ing = quit an activity: "He stopped smoking." | stop + to = stop in order to do: "He stopped to smoke." (= He paused to have a cigarette.) |
| try + -ing = experiment: "Try adding more salt." | try + to = make an effort: "I tried to open the window." |
| forget + -ing = forget a past experience: "I will never forget visiting Rome." | forget + to = not remember to do: "I forgot to buy milk." |
| regret + -ing = regret a past action: "I regret telling her the truth." | regret + to = formal: "I regret to inform you that..." |
Recuerda
After prepositions (in, on, at, for, about, of, without, before, after, instead of...), ALWAYS use the gerund: "She is good at swimming." "I am interested in learning Chinese." "He left without saying goodbye."
Ejercicios
1. Complete with the gerund or infinitive form:
a) I enjoy ___ (cook) for my friends.
b) She decided ___ (study) abroad.
c) He avoided ___ (answer) the question.
d) We can not afford ___ (go) on holiday this year.
e) Do you mind ___ (open) the window?
f) I remembered ___ (lock) the door. (past action)
g) Remember ___ (call) your mother. (do not forget)
2. Explain the difference:
a) "She stopped talking." vs. "She stopped to talk."
b) "I tried opening the window." vs. "I tried to open the window."
Test de autoevaluación
1. "I enjoy ___" requires:
a) to swim
b) swimming
c) swim
d) swam
2. "He stopped to smoke" means:
a) He quit smoking
b) He paused in order to have a cigarette
c) He tried smoking
d) He remembered smoking
3. After prepositions, we always use:
a) Infinitive
b) Gerund
c) Past participle
d) Base form
4. "I remember locking the door" means:
a) I must not forget to lock it
b) I have a memory of locking it in the past
c) I am locking it now
d) I will lock it later
5. Which verb is followed by object + infinitive?
a) enjoy
b) suggest
c) encourage
d) avoid