Gerund or Infinitive PDF

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Gerund or Infinitive
One of the difficulties of the English language is that some verbs are followed by the gerund
(ex : doing) and others are followed by the infinitive (ex : to do). Other verbs, however, can
be followed by both.
Generally speaking we can use the following rules:
Examples Rules Explanations
Often we use the gerund

1. I enjoy myself at the
for an action that happens
1. I enjoy playing time of playing.
Verb + gerund before or at the same
2. I denied stealing 2. I deny having stolen
time as the action of the
anything before.
main verb.
1. Visiting my uncle was an

1. I decided to visit my Often we use the infinitive action of my decision. It
Verb +
uncle for actions that follow the comes after.
infinitive
2. I want to go out action of the main verb. 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."
1
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".
2
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
3
 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 enough
Example:
"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:
Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive. Here are some examples:
 start
 begin
 stop
 remember...
4
Example:
"I started smoking when I was young."

"I started to smoke when I left the office."
EXERCISE
CHOOSE THE RIGHT FORM OF THE VERB
1. I am keen on work/to work/working in the computer industry.
2. Amy decided see/to see/ seeing a doctor.
3. Leila enjoys read/to read/reading love stories.
4. Do you intend learn/to learn/learning Italian or English?
5. Do you mind help/to help/helping me wash the dishes?
6. Alan asked talk/to talk/talking to the boss.
7. I can't help laugh/to laugh/laughing when I watch Mr Been.
8. If Sara keeps come/to come/coming to work late, she'll have problems with the boss.
9. Liza hates study/o study/studying Maths.
10. Are you interested in live/to live/living in Africa ?

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What are some verbs that can be followed by a gerund or infinitive?

What are some verbs that can be followed by a gerund or infinitive?

What are some examples of verbs that can be followed by a gerund?

What are some examples of verbs that can be followed by a gerund?

www.myenglishpages.

Generally speaking we can use the following rules:

Examples Rules Explanations

Often we use the gerund

1. Visiting my uncle was an

Verbs that can be followed by a gerund (ex: doing)

1- After verbs that express likes/dislikes :

" I like playing soccer but I hate boxing."

" I suggest going to the theater."

"I am interested in collecting stamps."

it's no use ...

Verbs that can be followed by an infinitive ( ex : to do)

1- After verbs that refer to a future event:

" I want to finish my work early.

2- After certain other verbs, such as:

"She refused to forgive him."

"I'm glad to know that you passed the exam."

4- After "too" & "enough":

"It's too difficult to convince him to be helpful."

Verbs that can be followed by both an infinitive and a gerund:

"I started smoking when I was young."

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