One of the difficulties of the English language is that some verbs are followed by the gerund (ex : doing) and others are followed by theinfinitive (ex : to do). Other verbs, however, can be followed by both.Generally speaking we can use the following rules:
Examples Rules Explanations Verb + gerund 1. I enjoy playing
2. I denied stealingOften we use the gerund for an action that happens before or at the same time as the action of the main verb. 1. I enjoy myself at the time of playing.
2. I deny having stolen anything before.Verb + infinitive 1. I decided to visit my uncle
2. I want to go outOften we use the infinitive for actions that follow the action of the main verb. 1. Visiting my uncle was an action of my decision. It comes after.
2. What I want (now) is to go out (after/later)
These rules are helpful but DO NOT always explain all uses of gerunds and infinitives.
Verbs that can be followed by a gerund (ex: doing)
1- After verbs that express likes/dislikes :
- like
- love
- enjoy
- dislike
- hate
- don't mind
- can't stand
- can't bear
Example:" I like playing soccer but I hate boxing."2- After certain other verbs, such as :
- admit
- appreciate
- allow
- avoid
- advise
- consider
- deny
- delay
- understand
- finish
- fancy
- go (in go swimming)
- involve
- keep
- mention
- mind
- stop
- waste time/money
- imagine
- involve
- keep (on)
- mention
- miss
- postpone
- permit
- practice
- suggest
- resist
- reject
- risk
- can't help
- can't stand
Example:" I suggest going to the theater."3- After prepositions :
interested in ...
instead of ...
good at ...
before ...
after ...Example:"I am interested in collecting stamps."
"After playing football I drank an orange juice".4- After certain expressions :
it's no use ...
it's no good ...
there's no point in ...
I can't help...
I don't mind...
I can't stand/bear...Example:" It's no use convincing him to revise his lessons. He's so stubborn."
Verbs that can be followed by an infinitive ( ex : to do)
1- After verbs that refer to a future event:
- want
- hope
- aim
- intend
- arrange
- attempt
- promise
- be determined
- plan
- consent
- decide
- demand
- deserve
- determine
- endeavor
- expect
- offer
- proceed
- promise
- threaten
- swear
- volunteer
- want
- would like
- would hate
- would love
Example:" I want to finish my work early.2- After certain other verbs, such as:
- afford
- agree
- help
- choose
- fail
- happen
- refuse
- manage
- need
- seem
- learn
- choose
- pretend
Example:"She refused to forgive him."3- After adjectives :
- glad
- pleased
- disappointed
Example:"I'm glad to know that you passed the exam."
"I'm pleased to meet you."
"I'm disappointed to hear that you flunked maths."4- After "too" & "enough":
too difficult
easy enoughExample:"It's too difficult to convince him to be helpful."
" But it's easy enough to fool him to get what you want."
Verbs that can be followed by both an infinitive and a gerund:
Exercises: 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive. Here are some examples:
- start
- begin
- stop
- remember...
Example:"I started smoking when I was young."
"I started to smoke when I left the office."
Exercise on gerund or infinitive.
Verbs Followed by an Infinitive
She agreed to speak before the game.
| ||||
agree
aim
appear
arrange
ask
attempt
be able
beg
begin
care
choose
condescend
|
consent
continue
dare
decide
deserve
detest
dislike
expect
fail
forget
get
happen
|
have
hesitate
hope
hurry
intend
leap
leave
like
long
love
mean
neglect
|
offer
ought
plan
prefer
prepare
proceed
promise
propose
refuse
remember
say
|
shoot
start
stop
strive
swear
threaten
try
use
wait
want
wish
|
Verbs Followed by an Object and an Infinitive
Everyone expected her to win.
| ||||
advise
allow
ask
beg
bring
build
buy
challenge
|
choose
command
dare
direct
encourage
expect
forbid
force
|
have
hire
instruct
invite
lead
leave
let
like
|
love
motivate
order
pay
permit
persuade
prepare
promise
|
remind
require
send
teach
tell
urge
want
warn
|
Note: Some of these verbs are included in the list above
and may be used without an object.
| ||||
Verbs Followed by a Gerund
They enjoyed working on the boat.
| ||||
admit
advise
appreciate
avoid
can't help
complete
consider
|
delay
deny
detest
dislike
enjoy
escape
excuse
|
finish
forbid
get through
have
imagine
mind
miss
|
permit
postpone
practice
quit
recall
report
resent
|
resist
resume
risk
spend (time)
suggest
tolerate
waste (time)
|
Verbs Followed by a Preposition and a Gerund
We concentrated on doing well.
| ||
admit to
approve of
argue about
believe in
care about
complain about
concentrate on
confess to
|
depend on
disapprove of
discourage from
dream about
feel like
forget about
insist on
object to
|
plan on
prevent (someone) from
refrain from
succeed in
talk about
think about
worry about
|
EXERCISES
Basic Gerunds and Infinitives
Exercises 1 - 10 are based on Part 1 of the Gerunds and Infinitives Tutorial.
Intermediate Gerunds and Infinitives
Exercises 11 - 20 are based on Part 2 of the Gerunds and Infinitives Tutorial.
Advanced Gerunds and Infinitives
Exercises 21-30 are based on Part 3 of the Gerunds and Infinitives Tutorial.
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