GERUND/INFINITIVE

One of the difficulties of the English language is that some verbs are followed by the gerund (ex : doing) and others are followed by the infinitive (ex : to do). Other verbs, however, can be followed by both. Generally speaking we can use the following rules: Examples Rules Often we use the gerund for an action that happens before or at the same time as the action of the main verb. Explanations 1. I enjoy myself at the time of playing. 2. I deny having stolen anything before. 1. Visiting my uncle was an action of my decision. It comes after. 2. What I want (now) is to go out (after/later)

Verb + gerund

1. I enjoy playing 2. I denied stealing

Verb + infinitive

Often we use the 1. I decided to visit my infinitive for actions uncle that follow the action 2. I want to go out of the main verb.

These rules are helpful but DO NOT always explain all uses of gerunds and infinitives.

Verbs that can be followed by a gerund (ex: doing)

1- After verbs that express likes/dislikes :

like love enjoy dislike hate don't mind can't stand can't bear

Example:" I like playing soccer but I hate boxing." 2- After certain other verbs, such as :

admit appreciate allow avoid advise consider deny delay understand finish fancy

go (in go swimming) involve keep mention mind stop waste time/money imagine involve keep (on) mention
1

miss postpone permit practice suggest

resist reject risk can't help can't stand

Example:" I suggest going to the theater." 3- After prepositions : interested in ... before ... instead of ... after ... good at ... Example: "I am interested in collecting stamps." "After playing football I drank an orange juice". 4- After certain expressions : it's no use ... it's no good ... there's no point in ... I can't help... I don't mind... I can't stand/bear...

Example:" It's no use convincing him to revise his lessons. He's so stubborn."

Verbs that can be followed by an infinitive ( ex : to do)

1- After verbs that refer to a future event:

want hope aim intend arrange attempt promise be determined plan consent decide demand deserve

determine endeavor expect offer proceed promise threaten swear volunteer want would like would hate would love

Example:" I want to finish my work early. 2- After certain other verbs, such as: afford agree help choose fail happen refuse Example: "She refused to forgive him."

manage need seem learn choose pretend

3- After adjectives :

glad pleased disappointed

Example: "I'm glad to know that you passed the exam." "I'm pleased to meet you." "I'm disappointed to hear that you flunked maths." 4- After "too" & "enough": too difficult easy enough Example: "It's too difficult to convince him to be helpful." " But it's easy enough to fool him to get what you want." 4- would: I would like to go to the cinema

Verbs that can be followed by both an infinitive and a gerund:

Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive. Here are some examples: DO NOT CHANGE THEIR MEANING.

start begin propose

forbid intend

Example: "I started smoking when I was young." "I started to smoke when I left the office."

VERBS CAN BE FOLLOWED BY EITHER GERUND OR INFINITIVE BUT DO CHANGE THEIR MEANING

stop+ing= (dejar un hbito) I stopped smoking stop+to= dejar de hacer algo para hacer otra cosa: I stopped to have lunch) (Par para comer) remember+ing= (recordar algo que se hizo en el pasado (I remember buying the tickets)(Recuerdo haber comprado las entradas) remember+to= (acordarse de hacer algo en el futuro) (Remember to bring you Pau Exam on Monday) forget+ing= Ill never forget seeing the Big Ben for the first time( Imposibilidad de olvidar algo que ha ocurrido en el pasado) Se emplea normalmente en frases negativas. Forget+ to= (olvidarse de hacer algo). I forget to do my homework

Choose the correct form of the verbs (infinitive or gerund) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. I am keen on(work)______________ in the computer industry. Amy decided (visit)__________a doctor. Leila enjoys(READ)_________________ love stories. Do you intend(learn)____________ Italian or English? Do you mind(help)__________ me wash the dishes? Alan asked(talk)___________ to the boss. I can't help (laugh)_________when I watch Mr Been. If Sara keeps (calm)____________ to work late, she'll have problems with the boss. 9. Liza hates(study)_____________ Maths. 10. Are you interested in(visit)___________ in Africa ? Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers. 1. Dan enjoys(READ)____________ science fiction. 2. Cheryl suggested (WATCH)__________a movie after work. 3. I miss (WORK)____________in the travel industry. Maybe I can get my old job back. 4. Where did you learn (SPEAK)__________Spanish? Was it in Spain or in Latin America? 5. Do you mind (HELP)_____________me translate this letter? 6. He asked(TALK)___________ to the store manager. 7. You've never mentioned (LIVE)___________ in Japan before. How long did you live there? 8. If he keeps(COME)_______ to work late, he's going to get fired! 9. Debbie plans (STUDY)___________ abroad next year. 10. I agreed (HELP)__________Jack wash his car.

ANSWERS EX. 1 1.I am keen on working in the computer industry. 2.Amy decided to see a doctor. 3.Leila enjoys working love stories. 4.Do you intend to learn Italian or English? 5.Do you mind helping me wash the dishes? 6.Alan askezd to talk to the boss 7.I can't help laughing when I watch Mr Been. 8.If Sara keeps coming to work late, she'll have problems with the boss. 9.Liza hates studying Maths. 10.Are you interested in living in Africa ?

ANSWERS EX. 2
1. Dan enjoys reading science fiction. 2. Cheryl suggested seeing a movie after work. 3. I miss working in the travel industry. Maybe I can get my old job back. 4. Where did you learn to speak Spanish? Was it in Spain or in Latin America? 5. Do you mind helping me translate this letter? 6. He asked to talk to the store manager. 7. You've never mentioned living in Japan before. How long did you live there? 8. If he keeps coming to work late, he's going to get fired! 9. Debbie plans to study abroad next year. 10. I agreed to help Jack wash his car.