GERUNDS AND
INFITINIVES
Gerund (verb + -ing)
After prepositions and phrasal verbs.
I’m not very good at remembering names.
Katie's given up smoking.
As the subject of a sentence.
Driving at night is quite tiring.
Shopping is my favourite thing to do at weekends.
After some verbs, e.g. hate, spend, don't mind, like, dislike, love, can’t bear
I hate not being on time for things.
I don't mind getting up early.
Common verbs which take like Practise
the gerund include: Finish Prefer
Admit hate Recommend
avoid Keep spend time
Deny Like Stop
Dislike Love Suggest
enjoy Mind phrasal verbs, e.g. give
Feel up, go on, etc.
Miss
The infinitive with to
after adjectives
My flat is very easy to find.
to express a reason or purpose
Liam is saving money to buy a new car.
after some verbs, e.g. want, need, learn.
My sister has never learned to drive.
Try not to make a noise.
Common verbs which take Hope Remember
the infinitive include: Learn Seem
(can't) afford Need Try
Agree Offer Want
Decide Plan would like.
Expect Pretend
Forget Promise
Help Refuse
Verb + person + infinitive with to
ask, tell, want, would like + person.
Can you ask the manager to come?
She told him not to worry.
I want you to do this now.
We'd really like you to come.
Bare infinitive (the infinitive without to)
after most modal and auxiliary verbs.
I can't drive.
We must hurry.
after make and let.
She always makes me laugh.
My parents didn't let me go out last night.
INF./ GERUND WITH NO DIFFERENCE
They can take either the infinitive or gerund with no difference in meaning:
start, begin, continue
It started to rain.
It started raining.
INF/ GERUND WITH DIFFERENCE
Try
Try to be on time. (make an effort to be on time)
Try doing yoga. ( do it to see if you like it)
Remember
Remember to phone him. (don't forget to do it)
I remember meeting him years ago. (I have a memory of it)
Stop
I stopped to smoke. (I was driving and and stop to do something different)
I stopped smoking. (I quit)
