Gerunds and infinitives are two common verb forms in English. They often appear after verbs, adjectives, prepositions, or as part of larger sentence patterns, so choosing the correct form can be confusing.
The key is to understand both the form and the function of each structure. This guide explains the main rules, important verb patterns, meaning changes, common mistakes, and practice questions.
What Are Gerunds and Infinitives?
Before learning individual verb patterns, it is important to distinguish the two forms clearly. A gerund uses the -ing form of a verb, while an infinitive normally uses the base form with to.
What Is a Gerund?
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used in a noun-like role. It can function as a subject or complement and can also follow certain verbs and prepositions.
Examples:
- Swimming helps me relax.
- She enjoys reading before bed.
- They are interested in learning Spanish.
In Swimming helps me relax, swimming names an activity and functions as the subject.
What Is an Infinitive?
An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually with to, such as to study, to work, or to improve. English also has the bare infinitive, the base verb without to, as in can swim or make someone wait.
Examples:
- We decided to leave early.
- It is difficult to explain the problem.
- She can speak French.
When discussing gerunds and infinitives, the main contrast is usually between V-ing and to + base verb.
How to Use Gerunds
Gerunds appear in several common sentence patterns. Learning these patterns makes it easier to choose the correct form.
Use a Gerund as the Subject or Complement
A gerund can name an activity and function as the subject or complement of a sentence.
Examples:
- Reading regularly can improve your vocabulary.
- Her favorite activity is painting.
Gerund subjects are especially natural when talking about activities in a general sense.
Use a Gerund After a Preposition
When a verb comes directly after a preposition, it normally takes the -ing form. This also applies when to is a preposition rather than part of an infinitive.
Examples:
- She left without saying goodbye.
- He is good at solving problems.
- I look forward to meeting you.
A useful warning is that to does not always introduce an infinitive. In look forward to, be used to, and object to, it is a preposition, so a gerund follows.
Use a Gerund After Certain Verbs
Some verbs are normally followed by a gerund, including admit, avoid, consider, deny, enjoy, finish, keep, mind, miss, practice, recommend, risk, suggest, and imagine.
Examples:
- She avoided answering the question.
- We considered moving to another city.
- He suggested taking a short break.
These patterns should be learned as combinations. For example, enjoy doing is standard, while enjoy to do is not.
How to Use Infinitives
To-infinitives commonly follow certain verbs, adjectives, and objects. They are also widely used to express purpose.
Use an Infinitive After Certain Verbs
Many verbs are followed by to + base verb, including agree, decide, expect, hope, learn, manage, offer, plan, promise, refuse, seem, want, and would like.
Examples:
- They decided to postpone the meeting.
- I hope to hear from you soon.
- She managed to finish the task on time.
Use an Infinitive After an Adjective
A to-infinitive often follows an adjective to explain a reaction, judgment, degree, or situation.
Examples:
- I am happy to help.
- This exercise is difficult to complete.
- It was surprising to see so many people there.
This pattern is common with adjectives such as easy, difficult, important, necessary, pleased, surprised, and ready.
Use an Infinitive to Express Purpose
A to-infinitive can explain why someone does something.
Example: She went to the library to study.
Here, to study expresses the purpose of going to the library.
Use an Infinitive After an Object With Certain Verbs
Some verbs take the pattern verb + object + to-infinitive, including advise, allow, ask, encourage, expect, invite, order, remind, tell, want, and warn.
Examples:
- The teacher reminded us to check our answers.
- They encouraged him to apply for the course.
Gerund or Infinitive: Which One Should You Choose?
Some verbs can be followed by either form. In some cases, the meaning stays similar; in others, it changes significantly.
| Verb pattern | Main use | Example |
| enjoy, avoid, suggest + V-ing | Normally takes a gerund | She enjoys cooking. |
| decide, hope, plan + to V | Normally takes a to-infinitive | They plan to travel. |
| begin, start, continue + V-ing/to V | Both forms are often possible | It started raining. / It started to rain. |
| verb + object + to V | The object performs the infinitive action | She told me to wait. |
| preposition + V-ing | A verb after a preposition normally takes -ing | He left without speaking. |
For many verbs, it is useful to learn the whole pattern, not the verb alone.
Verbs That Change Meaning With Gerunds and Infinitives
A small group of verbs can take both forms but express different meanings. These contrasts are important because changing the form can change the message.
Remember and Forget
Remember/forget + to V refers to an action that needs to be done. Remember/forget + V-ing refers to a memory of an earlier event.
Examples:
- Remember to lock the door before you leave.
- I remember locking the door before I left.
Stop
Stop + V-ing means end an activity. Stop + to V means pause one activity in order to do another.
Examples:
- He stopped smoking two years ago.
- He stopped to answer the phone.
Try
Try + to V means make an effort. Try + V-ing means test a possible method or solution.
Examples:
- I tried to open the window, but it was stuck.
- Try restarting the computer.
Regret
Regret + V-ing means feel sorry about an earlier action. Regret + to V is often used when giving bad or formal news.
Examples:
- She regrets leaving the job so quickly.
- We regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful.
Mean
Mean + V-ing means involve or have something as a result. Mean + to V means intend to do something.
Examples:
- Working abroad may mean spending less time with your family.
- I meant to call you yesterday.
Go On
Go on + V-ing means continue the same activity. Go on + to V means move to a different or subsequent activity.
Examples:
- She went on talking for another hour.
- He explained the theory and went on to discuss its applications.
Common mistakes with gerunds and infinitives
- Using a to-infinitive after a verb that requires a gerund: Learn the verb as a fixed pattern. Example: Wrong: She enjoys to read. → Correct: She enjoys reading.
- Using a gerund after a verb that requires a to-infinitive: Verbs such as decide normally take to + verb. Example: Wrong: We decided leaving early. → Correct: We decided to leave early.
- Using an infinitive after a preposition: A verb after a preposition normally takes -ing. Example: Wrong: He left without to say goodbye. → Correct: He left without saying goodbye.
- Confusing infinitive to with prepositional to: Example: Wrong: I look forward to meet you. → Correct: I look forward to meeting you.
- Ignoring a change in meaning: Example: Wrong meaning: He stopped to smoke when you mean he quit the habit → Correct: He stopped smoking.
Short Gerunds and Infinitives Exercise
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
- She enjoys ________ (work) with children.
- We decided ________ (take) the earlier train.
- He left without ________ (say) anything.
- Please remember ________ (send) the email.
- I remember ________ (visit) this museum as a child.
- Try ________ (restart) the app if it stops responding.
- The manager asked us ________ (arrive) ten minutes early.
- They stopped ________ (buy) some water before continuing the journey.
Answers: 1. working; 2. to take; 3. saying; 4. to send; 5. visiting; 6. restarting; 7. to arrive; 8. to buy.
See more:
- The Suggest Structure in English: Rules, Usage, and Examples
- English Vowels Explained: Definition, Types, and Correct Pronunciation
Gerunds and infinitives become easier when you learn them as sentence patterns and verb combinations. Focus on gerunds after prepositions, common verbs followed by V-ing or to-infinitives, and verbs whose meaning changes depending on the form that follows.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gerunds and Infinitives
Can every verb be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive?
No. Some verbs take a gerund, some normally take a to-infinitive, and others can take both with similar or different meanings.
Is the word to always followed by an infinitive?
No. When to functions as a preposition, as in look forward to or be used to, the following verb normally takes the -ing form.
What is the difference between an infinitive and a bare infinitive?
A to-infinitive includes to, as in to study, while a bare infinitive uses the base verb without to, as in can study or make someone study.
Keywords:
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