gerunds and infinitives

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When you put two verbs together in a sentence, most of the time the second verb is either an infinitive (to go) or a gerund (going). Which verbs are followed by infinitives and which ones are followed by gerunds is often a difficult thing to learn. Teachers give students lists to memorize and practice, but this is the hard way. An easier way to learn this grammar is to look at a single verb (stop) and apply its rule to all the other verbs. Although this rule is only 80% accurate (true,) it’s better than no rule at all.

Look at this example:
After he had driven for an hour, John stopped to text his girlfriend.

In this example, the action John stopped was driving, not texting. In other words, stopping was the first thing that he did, and texting was the second thing that he did. The order of verbs in the sentence (stopped/ to text) is the same order of verbs in real time (he stopped first; he texted second). When the order of the verbs in the sentence is the same as the order of verbs in real time, then use an infinitive (to text) for the second verb.

Look at this example:
After he started his car, John stopped texting his girlfriend.

In this example, the action John stopped doing was texting. In other words, he was texting first and then he stopped. The order of verbs (stopped / texting) in the sentence is the opposite order in real time (he texted first; he stopped second). When the order of the verbs in the sentence is opposite the order of verbs in real time, then use the gerund (texting) for the second verb.

The verbs remember, forget and regret are just like stop.

Examples:

She remembered to meet him for lunch. (remember is first and to meet is second in real time)
She remembers meeting him last year. (meeting was first and remember was second in real time)

Did you forget to lock the door this morning? (forget is first and to lock is second in real time)
Did you forget locking the door because I know you did? (locking is first and forget is second in real time)

I regret to tell you that you failed the test. (regret is first and to tell is second in real time)
I regret telling you my secret. (tell is first and regret is second in real time)

The verb try is different than the above verbs. If you are trying to do something difficult or impossible, then the infinitive follows. However, if you’re trying different things to find a solution to a problem, then the gerund follows.

Examples:

You should try to finish as soon as possible. (to finish is difficult to do)
If you’re hot, try opening the window, or taking off your sweater. (opening and taking off are possible solutions to being hot)

Now let’s look at other verbs to see how they follow this rule.

Example 1: I want to go to bed early tonight.

First I want, and then I will go. It’s the same order in the sentence (want / go) and in real time (want / go). Therefore, the second verb is an infinitive.

Example 2: She enjoys watching cartoons on Saturday mornings.

She watches first, and then she enjoys the activity of watching. It’s a different order in the sentence (enjoys / watching) and in real time (watching / enjoys). Therefore, the second verb is a gerund.

Example 3: I forgot to brush my hair this morning.

First I forgot, and that’s why I didn’t brush my teeth. It’s the same order in the sentence (forget / brush) and in real time (forget / brush). Therefore, the second verb is an infinitive.

Example 4: He admitted stealing the necklace.

First he stole the necklace, and then he admitted that he had stolen it. It’s a different order in the sentence (admit / steal) and in real time (steal / admit). Therefore, the second verb is a gerund.

This a list of the most common verbs that are followed by infinitives. The ones in [brackets] are exceptions to the rule:

he agrees to make…           he deserves to pass…        he plans to meet…
[he appears to be… ]     he fails to stop…              he pretends to be…
he arranges to move…   he hesitates to close…   he refuses to stop…
he can afford to buy...      he hopes to finish…   he seems to know…
he cares to give…              he learns to make…         he struggles to make…
he claims to know…   he manages to put…         [he swears to have…]
he decides to go…         he means to say…           he threatens to end…
he demands to know…     he offers to help…            he waits to open…
he wishes to give…

This is a list of the most common verbs that are followed by gerunds. Again, the ones in [brackets] do NOT follow the rule:

he admits taking…         he enjoys walking…   he practices doing…
[he anticipates going…]     [he feels like singing…] he quits smoking…
he appreciates doing…   he finishes painting…   he recalls meeting…
[he avoids washing…]      [he imagines living in…] [he recommends buying…]
[he can’t help telling…]    it’s no use asking…   [he resists making…]
he completes making…      it’s worth seeing…     [he risks losing…]
[he considers asking…]   he keeps taking…   [he suggests meeting…]
[he delays finishing…] he minds being…   he tolerates smoking…
he denies stealing…        he mentions doing…   he understands needing…
[he discusses going…]     he misses visiting…
he dislikes having…        [he postpones making…]

Another thing you should know is if you use a person or a personal pronoun such as “me” after the first verb, an infinitive always follows.

he asks me to go…      he hires me to wash…           he promises me to see…
he begs me to help…       he invites me to visit...          he reminds me to go…
he convinces me to stay… he instructs me to finish… he tells me to forget…
he dares me to climb…      he needs me to know…         he wants me to buy…
he expects me to be…         he orders me to wait…         he warns me to stay…
he forces me to clean…       he prepares me to do…

And of course there are a few verbs that are followed by either gerunds or infinitives. It makes no difference.

he begins to play…              he continues to stay...   he likes to eat
he begins playing                he continues staying      he likes eating
he can’t stand to wait…   he hates to get…                he prefers to sit
he can’t stand waiting…   he hates getting…             he prefers sitting
he loves to beat…                 he starts to wait
he loves beating…               he starts waiting

Use these flashcards to help you study for the following exercises.

Tag Archivegerunds and infinitives

Quiz: Gerunds and infinitives - exercise 1

1. My brother dislikes ____________ to wait.

2. He promised ____________ me as soon as he got home.

3. He hates ____________ for anything.

4. My brother doesn’t mind ____________ the dog for a walk.

5. Madeline pretended ____________ asleep when her mother walked in.

6. His brother agreed ____________ him study for the final exam.

7. It’s not a good idea to start ____________ the night before the test.

8. My boss refuses ____________ me leave early on Friday.

9. Why won’t you admit ____________ to me?

10. Don’t forget ____________ the door before you leave.

11. Her brother wishes ____________ a professional football player.

12. I enjoy ____________ my friends laugh.

13. She decided ____________ with him to buy the tickets.

14. My professor allows ____________ in the classroom.

15. I plan ____________ for Brazil on Saturday.

16. We discussed ____________ in together.

17. I would never consider ____________ on my girlfriend.

18. She loves ____________ in the school choir.

19. My husband seems ____________ the problem better than I do.

20. He deserves ____________ a little fun in his life.

Your Score:

Your Ranking:

Quiz: Gerunds and infinitives - exercise 2

1. He offered ____________ me coffee, but I didn’t have any time..

2. After we finished ____________ the kitchen, we all watched TV.

3. Would you please stop ____________ all that noise.

4. I promise I’ll continue ____________ the piano.

5. We hope ____________ to buy a car by the end of the year.

6. He told me he doesn’t feel like ____________ early on Sunday mornings?

7. I can’t imagine ____________ around the world for a year.

8. They kept ____________ with each other even after the meeting broke up.

9. I’m telling you this so you can avoid ____________ money on a bad investment.

10. I miss ____________ for walks along the beach in our bare feet.

11. She offered ____________ our two cats this weekend.

12. They don’t seem to like ____________ before six o’clock in the evening.

13. I understand not ____________ the promotion when you think you should have.

14. We prefer ____________ at home on Friday nights.

15. She quit ____________ him after she found out that he was dishonest.

16. We demand ____________ to the manager!

17. Everyone denied ____________ the money from the cash register.

18. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean ____________ your feelings.

19. The boy made the dog practice ____________ hands over and over.

20. The professor suggested ____________ study groups to prepare for the final exam.

Your Score:

Your Ranking:

Quiz: Gerunds and infinitives - exercise 3

1. She expects him ___________ their anniversary every year.

2. His father forces him ____________ his violin every day.

3. He recalls ____________ the President when he was a little boy.

4. The students have learned ____________ their hands before asking a question.

5. We waited for an hour ____________ the Faberge exhibition at the museum.

6. She invited me ____________ for tea this afternoon.

7. They recommend ____________ some research before investing in the stock market.

8. Did you remember ____________ the front door when you left?

9. They don’t care ____________ their names in the newspaper in connection with this story.

10. He didn’t appear ____________ nervous at all at the interview.

11. She claims ____________ Justin Bieber, but I don’t believe her.

12. We can’t afford ____________ a house at this time.

13. The company president resisted ____________ the question

14. He hired his brother ____________ a deck above the garage.

15. You told me ____________ all your cigarettes.

16. I managed ____________ the police before I passed out.

17. He threatened ____________ the boy’s parents about the incident.

18. Did she mention ____________ more tickets to the concert?

19. The family postponed ____________ the wedding until the Spring.

20. You can’t convince me ____________ with you about that.

Your Score:

Your Ranking:

Quiz: Gerunds and infinitives - exercise 4

1. The teacher doesn’t tolerate ____________ careless mistakes on your essays.

2. He swears ____________ to the police immediately if anything goes wrong.

3. I failed ____________ the stop sign at the end of the street.

4. He escaped ____________ the dishes three days in a row.

5. My friend reminded me ____________ planning for the party at the end of the month.

6. She hesitated ____________ him the truth.

7. I appreciate ____________ considered for the job, but I can’t accept

8. The police ordered everyone ____________ the building immediately.

9. He risks ____________ his job if he’s late one more time.

1.
My brother dislikes ____________ to wait.

2.
He promised ____________ me as soon as he got home.

3.
He hates ____________ for anything.

4.
My brother doesn’t mind ____________ the dog for a walk.

5.
Madeline pretended ____________ asleep when her mother walked in.

6.
His brother agreed ____________ him study for the final exam.

7.
It’s not a good idea to start ____________ the night before the test.

8.
My boss refuses ____________ me leave early on Friday.

9.
Why won’t you admit ____________ to me?

10.
Don’t forget ____________ the door before you leave.

11.
Her brother wishes ____________ a professional football player.

12.
I enjoy ____________ my friends laugh.

13.
She decided ____________ with him to buy the tickets.

14.
My professor allows ____________ in the classroom.

15.
I plan ____________ for Brazil on Saturday.

16.
We discussed ____________ in together.

17.
I would never consider ____________ on my girlfriend.

18.
She loves ____________ in the school choir.

19.
My husband seems ____________ the problem better than I do.

20.
He deserves ____________ a little fun in his life.

1.
He offered ____________ me coffee, but I didn’t have any time..

2.
After we finished ____________ the kitchen, we all watched TV.

3.
Would you please stop ____________ all that noise.

4.
I promise I’ll continue ____________ the piano.

5.
We hope ____________ to buy a car by the end of the year.

6.
He told me he doesn’t feel like ____________ early on Sunday mornings?

7.
I can’t imagine ____________ around the world for a year.

8.
They kept ____________ with each other even after the meeting broke up.

9.
I’m telling you this so you can avoid ____________ money on a bad investment.

10.
I miss ____________ for walks along the beach in our bare feet.

11.
She offered ____________ our two cats this weekend.

12.
They don’t seem to like ____________ before six o’clock in the evening.

13.
I understand not ____________ the promotion when you think you should have.

14.
We prefer ____________ at home on Friday nights.

15.
She quit ____________ him after she found out that he was dishonest.

16.
We demand ____________ to the manager!

17.
Everyone denied ____________ the money from the cash register.

18.
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean ____________ your feelings.

19.
The boy made the dog practice ____________ hands over and over.

20.
The professor suggested ____________ study groups to prepare for the final exam.

1.
She expects him ___________ their anniversary every year.

2.
His father forces him ____________ his violin every day.

3.
He recalls ____________ the President when he was a little boy.

4.
The students have learned ____________ their hands before asking a question.

5.
We waited for an hour ____________ the Faberge exhibition at the museum.

6.
She invited me ____________ for tea this afternoon.

7.
They recommend ____________ some research before investing in the stock market.

8.
Did you remember ____________ the front door when you left?

9.
They don’t care ____________ their names in the newspaper in connection with this story.

10.
He didn’t appear ____________ nervous at all at the interview.

11.
She claims ____________ Justin Bieber, but I don’t believe her.

12.
We can’t afford ____________ a house at this time.

13.
The company president resisted ____________ the question

14.
He hired his brother ____________ a deck above the garage.

15.
You told me ____________ all your cigarettes.

16.
I managed ____________ the police before I passed out.

17.
He threatened ____________ the boy’s parents about the incident.

18.
Did she mention ____________ more tickets to the concert?

19.
The family postponed ____________ the wedding until the Spring.

20.
You can’t convince me ____________ with you about that.

1.
The teacher doesn’t tolerate ____________ careless mistakes on your essays.

2.
He swears ____________ to the police immediately if anything goes wrong.

3.
I failed ____________ the stop sign at the end of the street.

4.
He escaped ____________ the dishes three days in a row.

5.
My friend reminded me ____________ planning for the party at the end of the month.

6.
She hesitated ____________ him the truth.

7.
I appreciate ____________ considered for the job, but I can’t accept

8.
The police ordered everyone ____________ the building immediately.

9.
He risks ____________ his job if he’s late one more time.

10.
It’s no use ____________ about something that may never happen.

11.
We asked them ____________ the noise down so we could study.

12.
She anticipates ____________ a successful business by the end of this year

13.
It’s worth ____________ the process to become a citizen.

14.
He tried ____________ the window, but it was stuck.

15.
We arranged ____________ the following day for lunch.

16.
She struggled ____________ his name.

17.
He begged her ____________ him return home.

18.
She can’t help ____________ secrets on to her friends.

19.
He delayed ____________ to universities until late May.

20.
I finally completed ____________ the form.