Infinitive and Gerund
A) Infinitive
1. After an adjective
Example: The new computer is really easy to use.
2. After certain verbs (with to) Example: He refused to pay the bill.
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afford
agree
appear
arrange
beg
choose
decide
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expect
fail
help (also
without to)
hesitate
hope
learn
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manage
mean
offer
plan
prepare
pretend
promise
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refuse
want
wish
would like
would love
would prefer
B) Gerund
1. As the subject of a clause
Example: Cycling is good for your health. 2. 2.
2. After a preposition
Example: I did my homework before going out.
3. Verbs followed by Gerund
Example: I enjoy cooking.
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admit
advise
allow
avoid
can't help
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can't stand
deny
dislike
enjoy
fancy
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finish
keep
mind
miss
permit
practise
suggest
waste time
/ money
4. Verbs with Prepositions followed by Gerund
Example: I'm looking forward to seeing you again soon.
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accuse of
agree with
apologize for
ask about
believe in
be used to
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blame for
care for
carry on
complain about
concentrate on
depend on
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dream about/of
feel like
forgive for
give up
insist on
keep on
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look forward to
object to
think of
succeed in
use for
C) Words followed either by Infinitive or Ing-Form
1. Words with the same meaning Example: I started to read. / I started reading.
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attempt
begin
bother
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cannot bear
cease
continue
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hate
intend
love
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prefer
start
2. Words with the same meaning but different use
Word
advise
allow / permit
forbid
Infinitive - with an object
I advise you to go by bus.
He allowed her to take the car.
She forbids us to smoke.
Gerund – without an object
I advise going by bus.
He allowed taking the car.
She forbids smoking.
3. Words with a different meaning
Word
forget / remember
Infinitive meaning
Gerund meaning
with regard to the future
with regard to the past
Remember to switch off the lights. Do you remember switching off the lights?
Spanish: Recuerda apagar las luces
go on
regret
stop
try
start something new
Go on to read.
Spanish:
with regard to the future
I regret to say that’s wrong.
Spanish: ¿Recuerdas haber apagado las luces?
continue with the same action
Go on reading.
with regard to the past
I regret saying that.
Spanish: Lamento decir que está mal.
Spanish: Lamento haber dicho que está mal.
interrupt another action
I stopped to smoke.
terminate
I stopped smoking.
Spanish: Paré para fumar.
Spanish: Paré de fumar.
do something complicated
Try to solve this riddle.
do it and see what happens
Try talking to him.
Spanish: Intenta resolver este acertijo. Spanish: Prueba a hablar con él.
D) Verbs followed by infinitive without to
We use the bare infinitive (an infinitive
without to) after certain verbs followed by an
object. These verbs include: let, make, see,
hear, feel.
My parents didn't let me watch TV at night.
Did you see anyone enter the building?
He made me laugh.
We use the bare infinitive after modal
verbs: can, should, could, might, may, etc.
He can't sing.
It might be a good idea.
Gerund or Infinitive - Exercise 1
6) Are you thinking of _
1) A lot of people are worried about
their
jobs. (lose)
2) He agreed
3) The question is easy _
so late. (arrive)
noise, please; I’m studying.
(make)
(answer)
4) Not everybody can afford
to
university. (go)
5) I look forward to
7) He apologized for
8) Stop
a new car. (buy)
London? (visit)
9) She doesn't mind
the night shift.
(work)
10) I learned
the bike at the age of 5.(ride)
you at the weekend.
(see)
Gerund or Infinitive - Exercise 2
1) We decided
2) I regret
a new car. (buy)
you we won’t lend you the
money. (tell)
3) Peter gave up
4) He'd like
5) I enjoy
6) He offered
(help)
7) Avoid
silly mistakes.(make)
8) My parents wanted me
_.(smoke)
an aeroplane.(fly)
picture postcards. (write)
help with the cleaning.
home at 11
o'clock. (be)
9) I dream about
10) He advised me
(not spend)
_ a big house. (build)
so much money.
Gerund or Infinitive Exercise 1
1 Fill the gaps with the verb in brackets in the appropriate form.
1
I can't stand _
_ in queues. ( to wait )
2
I wouldn't like
3
Jim loves
4
I hate _
5
Blast! I forgot
6
In the end we decided _________________in. ( to stay )
7
I need ________________ some information about Portugal. ( to find )
8
My parents like _________
9
Tony gave up _________
in his shoes. ( to be )
in Thailand. ( to work )
the shopping on Saturday. ( to do )
_
milk. ( to buy )
for long walks at the weekend. ( to go )
years ago. ( to smoke )
10
I wanted
and see Troy but no one else was interested. ( to go )
11
Mrs Leith offered ________________ us to the airport. ( to take )
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Clare refused
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I tried
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Do you mind not ________________ ? ( to smoke )
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Everybody really enjoyed _
16
Lionel admitted _________
clean up after the party. ( to help )
him to come but it was no use. ( to persuade )
the cha-cha-cha. ( to dance )
my chocolate mousse. ( to eat )
2 Check your answers and put the verbs in bold into the right columns. Translate the verbs.
VERB + GERUND
VERB + TO + INFINITIVE
admit ..........................
decide
..........................
1
forget
..........................
enjoy ..........................
5
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give up..........................
offer ..........................
2
_
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refuse
..........................
3
_
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try
..........................
love
..........................
want
4
_
would like ..........................
_..........................
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___
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