Grammar - Gerunds and Infinitives
Gerunds and Infinitives – Complete Explanation
1. What Are Gerunds and Infinitives?
Gerunds and infinitives are verb forms that often function as nouns in a sentence. They are widely used after certain verbs, adjectives, nouns, and expressions.
Although both can sometimes have similar meanings, they are not always interchangeable. The verb before them usually determines which form is correct.
Part I: Gerunds
2. What is a Gerund?
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb that functions as a noun.
Structure
Verb + ing
Examples:
swimming
reading
writing
singing
playing
Examples in Sentences
Swimming is good exercise.
I enjoy reading.
She loves dancing.
In these examples, swimming, reading, and dancing act as nouns.
3. Functions of Gerunds
A. Gerund as the Subject
Examples:
Reading improves your vocabulary.
Walking is healthy.
Learning English takes time.
B. Gerund as the Object
Examples:
I enjoy playing football.
She likes painting.
We finished cleaning.
C. Gerund After a Preposition
After a preposition, use a gerund, not an infinitive.
Examples:
He is interested in learning English.
Thank you for helping me.
She left without saying goodbye.
We talked about traveling.
D. Gerund After Certain Expressions
Examples:
It's no use crying.
I can't help laughing.
It's worth seeing.
4. Verbs Followed by Gerunds
The following verbs are commonly followed by a gerund:
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| enjoy | I enjoy reading. |
| finish | She finished writing. |
| avoid | He avoided answering. |
| keep | Keep smiling. |
| practice | They practice speaking English. |
| suggest | She suggested going home. |
| mind | Do you mind opening the window? |
| consider | We considered moving. |
| admit | He admitted cheating. |
| deny | She denied stealing the money. |
| imagine | Imagine living on the moon. |
| postpone | They postponed leaving. |
| miss | I miss seeing my friends. |
| risk | He risked losing everything. |
| quit | She quit smoking. |
Part II: Infinitives
5. What is an Infinitive?
An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by to.
Structure
to + V1
Examples:
to eat
to read
to play
to study
to write
6. Functions of Infinitives
A. Infinitive as Subject
Examples:
To learn English is useful.
To help others is important.
(In everyday English, we often use "It" instead:)
It is useful to learn English.
B. Infinitive as Object
Examples:
I want to study.
She hopes to win.
We decided to leave.
C. Infinitive After Adjectives
Examples:
I am happy to help.
She is eager to learn.
They are ready to leave.
D. Infinitive to Show Purpose
Examples:
I came to help.
She went to the library to study.
We exercise to stay healthy.
7. Verbs Followed by Infinitives
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| want | I want to sleep. |
| hope | She hopes to travel. |
| decide | We decided to leave. |
| promise | He promised to come. |
| agree | They agreed to help. |
| refuse | She refused to answer. |
| expect | I expect to finish soon. |
| plan | We plan to visit Bagan. |
| learn | He learned to drive. |
| offer | She offered to help. |
| choose | They chose to stay. |
| manage | He managed to escape. |
| fail | She failed to pass. |
| attempt | He attempted to climb the mountain. |
Part III: Verbs Followed by Either Gerunds or Infinitives
Some verbs can be followed by either, often with little or no change in meaning.
| Verb | Examples |
|---|---|
| begin | It began raining. / It began to rain. |
| start | She started singing. / She started to sing. |
| continue | They continued working. / They continued to work. |
| like | I like reading. / I like to read. |
| love | She loves dancing. / She loves to dance. |
| hate | He hates waiting. / He hates to wait. |
| prefer | I prefer walking. / I prefer to walk. |
8. Verbs That Change Meaning
Some verbs change meaning depending on whether they are followed by a gerund or an infinitive.
A. Remember
Remember + Gerund
= Recall a past action.
I remember meeting her.
Remember + Infinitive
= Do not forget a future action.
Remember to lock the door.
B. Forget
Forget + Gerund
= Forget a past memory.
I'll never forget visiting Bagan.
Forget + Infinitive
= Fail to do something.
I forgot to call him.
C. Stop
Stop + Gerund
= End an activity.
He stopped smoking.
Stop + Infinitive
= Pause one action to do another.
He stopped to smoke.
(He stopped walking in order to smoke.)
D. Try
Try + Gerund
= Experiment.
Try adding more salt.
Try + Infinitive
= Make an effort.
Try to finish your homework.
E. Mean
Mean + Gerund
= Involve.
Being a doctor means working hard.
Mean + Infinitive
= Intend.
I meant to call you.
F. Regret
Regret + Gerund
= Feel sorry about the past.
I regret telling him.
Regret + Infinitive
= Be sorry to announce.
We regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful.
9. Bare Infinitive (Infinitive Without "To")
Some verbs are followed by the base verb without "to".
After Modal Verbs
can swim
should study
must go
will come
After "Let"
Let him go.
Let me help.
After "Make"
The teacher made us clean the classroom.
After "Help"
Both forms are acceptable:
Help me carry the bag.
Help me to carry the bag.
After Verbs of Perception (often in active voice)
I saw him cross the road.
We heard her sing.
10. Gerund vs Present Participle
Both end in -ing, but they have different functions.
Gerund (Noun)
Swimming is fun.
Present Participle (Verb/Adjective)
She is swimming.
The swimming child waved.
11. Common Errors
❌ I enjoy to swim.
✅ I enjoy swimming.
❌ She decided going.
✅ She decided to go.
❌ He is interested to learn English.
✅ He is interested in learning English.
❌ Remember locking the door.
(Incorrect if you mean "Don't forget.")
✅ Remember to lock the door.
❌ I want going home.
✅ I want to go home.
12. Summary Table
Verbs Followed by Gerunds
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| enjoy | enjoy reading |
| finish | finish writing |
| avoid | avoid driving |
| keep | keep smiling |
| practice | practice speaking |
| suggest | suggest going |
| consider | consider moving |
| admit | admit cheating |
| deny | deny stealing |
| postpone | postpone leaving |
Verbs Followed by Infinitives
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| want | want to go |
| decide | decide to leave |
| hope | hope to win |
| promise | promise to help |
| agree | agree to come |
| refuse | refuse to answer |
| expect | expect to succeed |
| plan | plan to travel |
| offer | offer to help |
| manage | manage to finish |
13. Practice
Choose the correct form.
I enjoy ______ books.
a) to read
b) reading
Answer: reading
She wants ______ a doctor.
a) becoming
b) to become
Answer: to become
He is interested in ______ English.
a) learning
b) to learn
Answer: learning
They decided ______ early.
a) leaving
b) to leave
Answer: to leave
Remember ______ the lights before leaving.
a) turning off
b) to turn off
Answer: to turn off
14. Memory Tips
Use a Gerund
After prepositions:
interested in reading
good at writing
After verbs like:
enjoy
finish
avoid
keep
suggest
consider
practice
Use an Infinitive
After verbs like:
want
decide
hope
promise
plan
agree
refuse
expect
Use a Bare Infinitive
After modal verbs:
can go
should study
must leave
15. Easy Definitions to Remember
Gerund
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb that functions as a noun.
Verb + ing
Examples:
Swimming is fun.
I enjoy reading.
Infinitive
An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by to.
to + Verb (V1)
Examples:
I want to learn.
She decided to study.
Key Difference
Gerunds often refer to activities in a general sense and are required after certain verbs and all prepositions.
Infinitives often express purpose, intention, plans, or future actions and are required after many other verbs.
Mastering gerunds and infinitives will make your English more natural, grammatically accurate, and fluent in both speaking and writing.
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