Infinitives and gerunds

Infinitives and -ing forms

The infinitive is to + base form of the verb.
The negative is formed by adding not before the infinitive.

The infinitive is mostly used with the particle to.
The infinitive without particle to is used:

1.    After auxiliary verbs I don’t understand the meaning of this passage.

2.    After modal verbs except the verb ought to, have to, be to You must come as soon as you can.

3.    After verbs denoting sense perception, such as to hear, to see, to feel, (to make, to watch, to notice) etc I felt my heart jump.

4.    After the verb to let

Let us be the best friends in the world!

5.    After the verb to make Mom makes me clean my room every week.

Verbs followed by a to-infinitive:

afford, agree, aim, appear, arrange, ask, attempt, beg, can't afford, can't wait, choose, claim, decide, decline, demand, desire, expect, fail, guarantee, happen, help, hesitate, hope, hurry, manage, offer, plan, prepare, pretend, promise, prove, refuse, seem, tend, threaten, turn out, undertake, volunteer, want, wish

In the sentences below use the correct form of the infinitive, with or without particle to.

A gerund is a verb form (base form + ing) which is used like a noun.
The negative form requires not before the ing form.

Verbs followed by -ing but not a to-infinitive: 

admit, avoid, can’t face, can't help, can't stand, can't resist, carry on, consider, delay, deny, detest, dread, envisage, excuse, fancy, feel like, finish, give up, imagine, involve, justify, keep (on), mention, mind, miss, postpone, practise, put off, recall, resent, risk, suggest, tolerate

Verbs taking to-infinitive or -ing form without a change in meaning

a) begin, bother, can't bear, continue, intend, propose (= intend), start, continue + to-inf or -ing form. 

In the sentences below use either the gerund or the infinitive.

Verbs taking to-infinitive or -ing form with a change in meaning

forget + to-inf (= fail to remember to do sth)

He forgot to turn off the radio.

forget + -ing form (= not recall a past event)

I'll never forget seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time,

remember + to-inf (= not forget to do sth)

Please, remember to feed the dog before leaving.

remember + -ing form (= recall a past event)

I don't remember seeing him at the party last night.

regret + to-inf (= be sorry to)

I regret to inform you that there are no seats on the 12.30 flight.

regret + -ing form (= have second thoughts about sth already done)

He regrets buying such an expensive sports car.

try + to-inf (= do one's best; attempt)

Try to throw the ball into the basket.

try + -ing form (= do sth to see if it improves a situation)

Try cooking with olive oil, you might find it improves the taste.

mean + to-inf (= intend to)

She means to study art in Paris this summer.

mean + -ing form (= involve)

I won't go if it means taking the train during rush hour.

go on + to-inf (= finish doing sth and start doing sth else; then; afterwards)

He pruned the hedges, then went on to mow the lawn.

go on + -ing form (= continue)

We went on dancing until we got tired.

want + to-inf (= wish)

I want to go home.

want + -ing form (= sth needs to be done)

These windows want cleaning.

stop + to-inf (= pause temporarily).

Can we stop here to admire the view?

stop + -ing form (= finish; cease)

He stopped studying and switched on the TV.

In the sentences below use either the infinitive or the gerund, depending on the meaning.