2 - GERUND OR INFINITIVE

1st. option - RULE OF THUMB

Gerunds are often used when actions are real, concrete or completed:

I stopped smoking.
(The smoking was real and happened until I stopped.)

Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future:

I stopped to smoke.
(I was doing something else, and I stopped; the smoking had not happened yet.)

FILL THE GAPS WITH EITHER AN INFINITIVE OR A GERUND ACCORDING TO THE RULE ABOVE:

1. Why don’t you stop (work) ______________ and take a rest?

2. The annoyed man threatened (call) __________________ the police.
3. When we told him the plan, he agreed (join) ________________ our team.
4. We can’t afford (buy) _____________ a new car.
5. Do you enjoy (make) _____________ other people angry?
6. This kind of sport involves (train) ____________ daily.
7. If you have finished (have) __________ your lunch, clear the table, please.
8. I had never anticipated (pay) ____________ so much for the redecoration.
9. Everybody dislikes (do) ___________ exams.
10. I was a bit lazy this time, but I promise (study) ____________ harder next time.
11. He managed (fix) _____________ the TV set himself.
12. If you want a quiet holiday, you should avoid (go) ____________ the coast in summer.
13. Do you intend (get) _____________ fit?
14. I admit (cheat) ____________ in the exam.
15. I missed (have) _____________ dinner with my old school mates.

2nd option - STUDY LISTS OF VERBS

VERBS FOLLOWED BY -ING

admit enjoy mind understand
anticipate escape miss
avoid excuse pardon It’s no good
consider finish postpone It’s no use
delay forgive practise It isn’t worth
deny involve risk
detest keep stop can’t stand / resist
dislike mention suggest can’t help

VERBS FOLLOWED BY TO- INFINITIVE

agree fail manage
appear hesitate prepare swear
arrange hope promise tend
care intend refuse threaten
decide learn seem afford