Gerunds and infinitives

When one English verb is followed by a second verb, the second one takes one of two forms: the gerund (V-ing: reading, swimming) or the infinitive (to + V: to read, sometimes without to: read). The choice is decided by the first verb, a preposition or a fixed phrase. The topic appears in every exam’s grammar-pattern questions, and mistakes such as I look forward to hear cost marks quickly in writing. This lesson explains the rules, the logic behind them and the lists you need to learn, step by step.

§1. What a gerund is and how it works in a sentence

A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun. It names an activity (reading = the activity of reading). That is why gerunds appear wherever a noun can stand:

• As the subject: Swimming is good for your health. Learning a language takes time.
• As the object: I enjoy cooking.
• After to be as a complement: My hobby is collecting stamps.
• After a preposition: She is good at drawing.

Do not confuse the gerund with the -ing of the Present Continuous: She is reading (an action in progress) versus Reading is fun (the activity, acting as a noun).

A gerund can take its own object and adverbials: Reading books in the evening relaxes me. It is made negative by putting not in front: Not knowing the answer, he stayed silent. I regret not studying harder.

§2. When the gerund is required

1. After any preposition. A preposition is followed by a noun, so a verb must take its noun form, the gerund. There are no exceptions.

• I’m interested in learning Chinese.
• She left without saying goodbye.
• Thank you for helping me.
• He is afraid of flying.
• Before going to bed, I read.

Watch out: phrases where `to` is a preposition. In some expressions to is not the infinitive marker but a preposition, so a gerund follows:

I’m looking forward to seeing you. She is used to getting up early. The test: put a noun after to. If I look forward to your letter is correct, to is a preposition.

2. After certain verbs. Learn this list:

I enjoy reading. Would you mind opening the window? He denied taking the money. She suggested going to the cinema.

3. After fixed phrases:

This film is worth watching. It’s no use crying. She was busy preparing for the exam.

4. `go` + gerund for activities: go swimming, go shopping, go fishing, go skiing.

Worked example

He is very good at ___ (solve) puzzles.

1. The word before the gap is at, a preposition.
2. A preposition is always followed by a gerund.
3. solve drops its final -e: solving.
4. Answer: He is very good at solving puzzles.

§3. When to use the infinitive (to + V)

The infinitive usually expresses purpose, intention or an action looking forward. That is why it follows verbs of wanting, deciding and promising.

• Purpose: I came here to study. She saved money to buy a laptop.
• After certain verbs:

She decided to leave. I can’t afford to buy a car. He seems to be tired.

• After adjectives: It’s easy to understand. I’m glad to see you. She was surprised to hear the news.
• With too and enough: He is too young to drive. She is old enough to vote.
• After question words: I don’t know what to do. Tell me how to get there.
• After ordinals: She was the first to arrive. He was the last to leave.

Verb + person + to V. Verbs of influencing someone take an object first, then the infinitive:

My parents want me to become a doctor. (✗ want that I become) The teacher told us to be quiet.

Worked example

I managed ___ (finish) the essay on time.

1. The first verb is manage.
2. manage is on the list of verbs followed by the infinitive.
3. Answer: I managed to finish the essay on time.

§4. The bare infinitive (without to)

After some words the infinitive has no to:

• After modal verbs: You must go. She can swim. We should leave.
• After make (force) and let (allow): My mother made me clean my room. Let me help you.
• In the passive, to returns after make: I was made to clean it.
• After would rather and had better: I’d rather stay at home. You’d better hurry.
• Verbs of perception (see, hear, watch, feel, notice) + person + verb: I saw him cross the road (the whole action) / I saw him crossing the road (part of the action in progress).
• After help both are correct: She helped me (to) carry the bags.

§5. Both forms possible — the meaning changes

This is a favourite exam question. The general logic: the gerund looks back or at the activity in general; the infinitive looks forward to something still to happen.

I remember locking the door. (I recall doing it) · Remember to lock the door. (don’t forget to do it)

He stopped smoking. (he gave it up) · He stopped to smoke. (he paused in order to smoke)

Try adding some salt. · I tried to open the window, but it was stuck.

I regret telling him. · We regret to inform you that…

like, love, hate, prefer, start, begin, continue take both forms with little change in meaning: It started raining / to rain. But after would like/love/prefer only the infinitive is possible: I’d like to go.

Worked example

I’ll never forget ___ (meet) the president.

1. The first verb is forget, which takes both forms, so look at the meaning.
2. The sentence is about recalling an event that has already happened.
3. Recalling the past → gerund.
4. Answer: I’ll never forget meeting the president.

§6. Complex forms and an exam routine

Gerunds and infinitives also have passive and perfect forms:

• Passive gerund: being + V3 — I hate being interrupted.
• Passive infinitive: to be + V3 — She expects to be invited.
• Perfect gerund: having + V3 — He denied having stolen the money.
• Perfect infinitive: to have + V3 — He seems to have left already.

When filling a gap, think in this order:

1. Is there a preposition before the gap (including the to of look forward to)? → gerund.
2. Is there a modal, make/let, would rather/had better? → bare infinitive.
3. Which list is the first verb on? (enjoy group → gerund; want group → infinitive).
4. Does the verb take both forms (remember, stop, try)? → check the meaning.
5. Does the subject do the action or receive it? → passive form if it receives it.

Worked example

The children enjoy ___ (tell) stories by their grandmother.

1. enjoy takes a gerund.
2. The children do not tell the stories; the stories are told to them, so the meaning is passive.
3. Passive gerund: being + V3 → being told.
4. Answer: The children enjoy being told stories by their grandmother.

Check yourself

1. I avoid ___ (eat) fast food.

2. She promised ___ (call) me.

3. I’m tired of ___ (wait).

4. Don’t forget ___ (buy) bread on your way home.

5. The teacher made us ___ (rewrite) the essay.

6. I’m looking forward to ___ (hear) from you.

7. We stopped ___ (buy) some petrol on the way.

8. He is too tired ___ (go) out tonight.

Common mistakes

• ✗ I look forward to hear from you → ✓ I look forward to hearing from you.
• ✗ I want that you come → ✓ I want you to come.
• ✗ She suggested to go → ✓ She suggested going.
• ✗ My mother made me to clean → ✓ made me clean.
• ✗ He is good in swim → ✓ He is good at swimming — gerund after a preposition.
• Ignoring the change of meaning with stop/remember/try: He stopped to smoke and He stopped smoking mean opposite things.