Gerunds & Infinitives

Verbs followed by Gerunds & Infinitives

By Liam Egan

​Examples

Look at these examples to see how the verb forms are used.

​

• I enjoy learning languages.

• I want to learn a new language.​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

I enjoy __________

• playing football

• to play football

Multiple Choice

My brother promised _____ us to the airport.

• to take

• taking

Multiple Choice

If you feel ill, avoid _____ any hard exercise.

• doing

• to do

Multiple Choice

I would like _____ a reservation, please

• to make

• making

Multiple Choice

I suggest _____ the museums while you're in London.

• visiting

• to visit

Multiple Choice

Do you mind _____ for me a few minutes?

• waiting

• to wait

Multiple Choice

We can't afford _____ on holiday this year.

• to go

• going

Multiple Choice

I'm learning _____ at the moment.

• to drive

• driving

Grammar explanation

​A verb can be followed by another verb.

The second one usually needs to change into the -ing form or the to + infinitive form.

​

Which form you need depends on what the first verb is.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Verbs followed by the -ing form

​When enjoy, admit and mind are followed by another verb, it must be in the -ing form.

• I enjoy travelling.

• He admitted stealing the necklace.

• I don't mind waiting if you're busy.

Other verbs in this group include avoid, can't help, consider, dislike, feel like, finish, give up, miss, practise and suggest.

Like and love can be followed by the -ing form and the to + infinitive form. They are both correct.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​Verbs followed by to + infinitive form

​When want, learn and offer are followed by another verb, it must be in the to + infinitive form.

• I want to speak to the manager.

• She's learning to play the piano.

• He offered to help us wash up.

Other verbs in this group include afford, agree, ask, choose, decide, expect, hope, plan, prepare, promise, refuse and would like.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

I finished _____ two years ago.

• to study

• studying

Multiple Choice

Avoid _____ if you feel tired or sleepy.

• to drive

• driving

Multiple Choice

We hope _____ you again soon.

• seeing

• to see

Multiple Choice

Next summer, we're planning _____ our relatives

• to visit

• visiting

Multiple Choice

Now I've changed schools, I miss _____ my old frends.

• to see

• seeing

Multiple Choice

I'd like _____ to the party.

• to come

• coming

Multiple Choice

They chose _____ about the environment for their project.

• to write

• writing

Multiple Choice

I dislike _____ to do homework at weekends.

• to have

• having