Gerund and Infinitive

Gerund and Infinitive

Where to use which one?

How do we use gerunds?

• We use gerunds (verb + ing):

  After certain verbs - I enjoy singing

• After prepositions - I drank a cup of coffee before leaving

• As the subject or object of a sentence - Swimming is a good exercise

Examples

enjoy: I enjoyed living in France.

fancy: I fancy seeing a film tonight.

discuss: We discussed going on holiday together.

dislike: I dislike waiting for buses.

finish: We've finished preparing for the meeting.

mind: I don't mind coming early.

suggest: He suggested staying at the Grand Hotel.

recommend: They recommended meeting earlier.

keep: He kept working, although he felt ill.

avoid: She avoided talking to her boss.

How do we use infinitives?

• After certain verbs - We decided to leave before the movie finished.

• After many adjectives - It's difficult to get up early

•  I came to London to study English

Examples

agree: She agreed to give a presentation at the meeting.

ask: I asked to leave early / I asked him to leave early.

decide: We decided to go out for dinner.

help: He helped to clean the kitchen / he helped his flatmate to clean the kitchen.

plan: She plans to buy a new flat next year.

hope: I hope to pass the exam.

learn: They are learning to sing.

want: I want to come to the party / I want him to come to the party.

would like: I would like to see her tonight / I would like you to see her tonight.

Multiple Choice

I don't fancy ____________(go) out tonight.

• to go

• going

Multiple Choice

She avoided ________(tell) him about her plans.

• to tell

• telling

Multiple Choice

I would like _________(come) to the party with you.

• coming

• to come

Multiple Choice

He enjoys ___________(have) a bath in the evening.

• to have

• having

Multiple Choice

She kept _____________(talk) during the film.

• to talk

• talking

Multiple Choice

I am learning________ (speak) English

• to speak

• speaking

Multiple Choice

Do you mind____________ (give) me a hand?

• to give

• giving

Multiple Choice

She helped me _____________(carry) my suitcases.

• to carry

• carrying

Multiple Choice

I've finished ____________(cook) - come and eat!

• cooking

• to cook

Multiple Choice

He decided____________ (study) biology.

• to study

• studying

Now let's have more detailed examples!

Gerunds can be used as a subject of a sentence

• Walking is good for your health.

• Making friends has become more difficult since I moved to a new city.

• Becoming a millionaire is a dream of many young people today

Infinitives should be used after many adjectives.

• •It is not easy to graduate from university.

• •It is necessary to speak English to work in a hotel.

• •It is wonderful to have close friends.

• •This dress is too big to wear.

• •My child is not tall enough to ride this rollercoaster.

Only infinitives are used followed by nouns or pronouns referring to a person.

• •ask: Can I ask you to help me with something?

  •expect: I never expected him to become famous.

  •hire (give a job to someone): Did the company hire you just to sit in your office?

Only gerunds are used after prepositions (with one exception).

• •I talked him out of taking that job.

• •Novels about growing up are popular among teenagers.

• •I have an interest in becoming a painter. 

• •I forgive you for not telling the truth.

• •He looks forward to meeting his cousins.

• •My mom is scared of flying.

Multiple Choice

Irregular verbs are not easy _________ remember.

• to remember

• remembering

Multiple Choice

___________ sport everyday is good for your your health.

• To do

• Doing

Multiple Choice

It was hard for her __________ smoking.

• to quit

• quitting

Multiple Choice

We were all happy about _________ the New Year in Vienna.

• to celebrate

• celebrating

Multiple Choice

She is fond of __________ picnics.

• to have

• having

Multiple Choice

My father helped me __________ my homework.

• to do

• doing

Multiple Choice

_____________ for the physics exam is too hard for me. I don't understand a thing!

• Studying

• To study

Multiple Choice

She told us where ________ the necessary documents.

• to find

• finding

Multiple Choice

It seems difficult _________ everything about the topic.

• to know

• knowing

Multiple Choice

At last they decided __________ the apartment.

• renting

• to rent

Multiple Choice

I don't mind _________ the washing up.

• doing

• to do

Multiple Choice

_____________ for the physics exam is too hard for me. I don't understand a thing!

• Studying

• To study