Gerunds and
Infinitives
What is a gerund??
Verb +
ing =
Gerund
work +
ing =
working
play +
ing =
playing
study +
ing =
studying
What is “the infinitive form??
To +
Verb =
Infinitive
To +
work =
to work
To +
play =
to play
To +
study =
to study
A reminder about gerunds (-ing) . . .
 We use the gerund form of the verb when it
serves as the subject of the sentence:
Examples:
Watching too much TV could be bad for our kids.
Eating fruits and vegetables is good for you.
Swimming is my favorite sport.
Learning English is tough!
A reminder about gerunds (-ing) . . .
 We use the gerund form of the verb after a
preposition!!
Examples:
She apologized for yelling at her boyfriend.
I’m interested in taking an art class.
My mom is thinking about taking a vacation.
Some verbs in English can be followed by
either the gerund or the infinitive form
Some Flexible Verbs
=can be followed by gerund/infinitive
(this is not the complete list!)
like
love
hate
can’t stand
prefer
continue
Flexible Verbs: Example sentences
Verb
like
love
Gerund
I like swimming.
They love going to the
amusement park.
She hates doing the
hate
dishes.
can’t
We can’t stand listening
stand
to loud music.
Many teenagers prefer
prefer
texting.
I hope you continue
continue
learning English.
Infinitive
I like to swim.
They love to go to the
amusement park.
She hates to do the dishes
We can’t stand to listen to
loud music.
Many teenagers prefer to
text.
I hope you continue to learn
English.
Verbs that can ONLY be followed by a
gerund:
Verbs that require
gerunds AFTER them…
(this is not the complete list!)
enjoy
stop
regret
avoid
dread
practice
Verbs followed by gerunds:
Example Sentences
Verb
enjoy
stop
regret
Gerund
She enjoys teaching.
He stopped eating red
meat many years ago.
Tom regrets dropping out
of high school.
Some people avoid
avoid
driving on the freeway.
Most people dread going
dread
to the dentist.
He should practice playing
practice
the piano more often.
Infinitive
She enjoys to teach.
He stopped to eat meat
many years ago.
Tom regrets to drop out of
high school.
Some people avoid to drive
on the freeway.
Most people dread to go to
the dentist.
He should practice to play
the piano more often.
Verbs that can ONLY be followed by the
infinitive:
Verbs that require
the infinitive AFTER them…
(this is not the complete list!)
want
would like
learn
need
decide
refuse
Verbs followed by infinitives:
Example Sentences
Verb
want
Gerund
I want studying French.
Infinitive
I want to study French.
I would like traveling to
would like
Italy someday.
I would like to travel to Italy
someday.
learn
She learned swimming.
She learned to swim.
need
The teacher needs
The teacher needs to leave
leaving class early today. class early today.
decide
They decided moving.
refuse
She refused helping me. She refused to help me.
They decided to move.
PRACTICE!
Practice!
Gerund, Infinitive, or either?
1. She wants _____________ married in June.
2. The doctor said to avoid ____________ salt.
3. Please stop _______________ so much noise!
4. I can’t stand ___________ in crowded places.
5. The suspect refused ______________ the questions.
6. The kids love ___________ to Disneyland.
7. Tourists enjoy ______________ San Diego.
8. Celia has learned _____________ a bike.