GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

I) VERBS THAT ARE NORMALLY FOLLOWED BY THE GERUND

acknowledge delay finish quit

admit deny imagine recall
adore describe involve recommend
anticipate detest keep regret
appreciate discuss justify report
avoid dislike mention resent
celebrate dread mind resume
confess endure miss risk
consider enjoy omit suggest
contemplate fancy postpone tolerate
practise/practice understand

Examples:
1) I adore reading your books.
2) They anticipated winning the election.
3) I detest going to discos.
4) We postponed making any decision in the meeting.
5) I quit smoking.
6) Do you recall seeing someone like that?
7) I enjoy exercising.
8) Ive considered joining a gym.

WATCH OUT: There are many common expressions with go + gerund. These expressions
usually describe activities, such as shopping, fishing, skiing, swimming, and camping. For
example:
We often go swimming in the lake.
Yesterday I went shopping for a new pair of running shoes.

II) VERBS THAT ARE FOLLOWED BY THE INFINITIVE

1) Certain verbs can be followed by an I want to get married.

infinitive (to + base form of the verb)
2) Some of these verbs are followed directly
by an infinitive.
agree, begin, fail, plan, refuse, seem
3) Some verbs need an object (noun or
pronoun) before the infinitive.
advise, encourage, order, tell, urge, warn
4) Some verbs can be followed by either: 1) an
infinitive or 2) an object + infinitive.
ask, expect, help, need, want, would like
5) Form a negative infinitive by placing not
before the infinitive.
I asked Annie to help me.
He decided to write to Annie.
I hope to get a quick reply.
I invited Mary (object) to celebrate with us.
I reminded her (object) to come.
They urged John (object) to call her.
He wants to leave. Hes tired.
He wants you to leave. Youre tired.
Lee remembered not to call after 5:00.
(Lee didnt call after 5:00)
Ana told me not to go to class.
(Ana: Dont go. The teacher is sick.)
Van told me not to give up.
(Van: Dont give up.)
Van didnt tell me to give up.
(Van didnt say anything.)
III) VERBS WHICH CAN BE FOLLOWED BY THE GERUND OR INFINITE

With NO change in meaning:

begin continue hate like love neglect prefer start try

Example:
1) He began to learn English when he was eight. / He began learning English when he was
eight.
2) I hate to leave early. / I hate leaving early.

With a change in meaning:

forget remember stop

Example 1:
I forgot to feed the cat. (The cat is hungry. He has not been fed.)
I forgot feeding the cat. (The cat is ok. I fed him and then forgot about it.)

Example 2:
Marta forgot to meet Richard. (Marta has plans to meet Richard, but she didnt meet him
because she forgot about the plans.)
Marta forgot meeting Richard. (Marta met Richard, but afterwards she didnt remember the
event.)

Example 3:
Richard remembered to mail the invitation. (First he remembered. Then he mailed the
invitation. He didnt forget.)
Richard remembered mailing the invitation. (First he mailed the invitation. Then he
remembered that he did it.)

Example 4:
Marta stopped to eat ice cream. (She stopped another activity in order to eat some ice cream.)
Marta stopped eating ice cream. (She doesnt eat ice cream anymore.)

IV) VERBS AFTER PREPOSTIONS

against at after by on instead of about of without for in

Examples:
1) I am against smoking in public places.
2) She is good at speaking English.
3) I went home after leaving the party.
4) You can improve your English by using the Internet.
5) We need to keep on going.
6) You should tell the truth instead of lying all the time.
7) We can talk about going home.
8) Im tired of hearing excuses.
9) You cant learn English without making mistakes.
10) Do you have ideas for improving life on campus?
11) She believes in (not) compromising.
EXERCISE. Infinitive or Gerund ? After a main verb, you may need to use an infinitive or a
gerund.
1) Do you want __________ the new exhibition?
in visiting
to visit
visiting
visit

2) I adore __________ coffee cake.

in eating
to eat
eating
eat

3) I was too tired __________ anything.

to doing
to do
doing
do

4) I am looking forward __________ University in September.

to start
start
starting
to starting

5) Would you rather __________ in the country or in the city?

in living
to live
living
live

6) I started __________ German when I was 40.

in learning
to learn
learn
on learning

7) You are not allowed __________ in pubs and restaurants in Ireland.

smoking
to smoke
smoke
at smoking

8) I don't mind __________ until you have finished.

to wait
wait
to waiting
waiting

9) We managed __________ the report finished in time for the meeting.

get
to get
getting
with getting
10) I am afraid __________.
of flying
at flying
in flying
with flying

11) The rowing team expects __________ at least a silver medal.

win
to win
of winning
winning

12) He has never been able to get used __________ in England after spending all that time
abroad.
to living
living
to live
with living

13) I used __________ in Nottingham.

to live
living
live
at living

14) Would you like __________ to the cinema with me?

going
went
to go
in going

15) The company decided __________ its production plant to China.

on moving
with moving
move
to move

16) She arranged __________ them at the airport.

meeting
to meet
meet
in meeting

17) We ought __________ an answer to the customer asap.

to get
get
getting
in getting

18) You should give up __________.

with smoking
smoking
on smoking
at smoking
19) He never hesitates __________ anyone who needs it.
helping
help
to help
in helping

20) We are tired __________ her complain all the time.

of hearing
to hear
hear
with hearing

21) I regret __________ my exams.

fail
to fail
failing
in failing

22) She risked __________ herself.

hurting
to hurt
hurt
for hurting

23) He told me __________ myself.

to help
helping
to helping
help

24) I wish __________ a phone call.

for making
to make
make
making

25) I intend __________ a new assistant.

hire
to hiring
on hiring
to hire

Sources:

FUCHS, Marjorie. & BONNER, Margaret. Grammar Express. For self-study and
classroom use. Person Education Company: Longman, 2002.

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