Gerunds and Infinitive

Gerunds and Infinitive

1. Verb + to infinitive

   • Verbs
     • (can/can't) afford, *agree, aim, appear, *arrange, attempt, choose, *decide, *demand, deserve, fail, *hope, learn, manage, neglect, offer, omit, plan, prepare, *pretend, refuse, seem, tend, threaten, (can't) wait, wish.
       • Example: If you decide to add nuts…
   • Notice
     • how the negative is formed
       • Example: If you decide not to ice it…
   • The following verbs + to infinitive always have an object before the "to" infinitive
     • *advise, allow, encourage, forbid, force, invite, order, permit, *persuade, 'remind, *teach, *tell, *warn
       • Example: Her father taught her to play tennis.
   • Advise, allow, encourage,forbid and permit
     • can also be followed by -ing when there is no object:
       • Example: I advise you to add nuts.
         • or advise adding nuts.
   • The following verbs + to infinitive sometimes have an object
     • Ask, beg, *expect, help, *intend, *promise, want
       • Example: We expected to be late.
         • or: We expected Tom to be late.

2. Verb + infinitive without to

   • Modal verbs, “had better” and “would rather”
     • are followed
       • by the infinitive without to
         • Example: You should add the eggs slowly.
   • Help
     • Can be followed
       • by the infinitive with or "without to"
         • Example: We helped them (to) start their car
   • Make and let (always with an object)
     • are followed by the infinitive without to:
       • Example: Let the cake cool for half an hour.

3. Verb + -ing

   • verbs
     • *admit, avoid, can't face, can't help, can't stand, carry on, *consider, delay, *deny, detest, Dislike, enjoy, fancy, feel, like, finish, give up, *imagine, involve, keep (on), *mention, (not) mind, miss, postpone, practise, put Off, *recommend, risk, resist, *suggest
       • Example: I enjoy making it
   • Notice
     • how the negative is formed
       • Example: If you don't leave immediately, you risk not catching your plane.

4. Verb + to infinitive or -ing (with no difference in meaning)

   • Verbs
     • Begin, can't bear, continue, hate, dislike, like, love, prefer, *propose, start
       • Example: Continue adding the flour.
         • Or: continue to add the flour.
   • Two -ing forms do not usually follow each other:
     • Example: I was starting to make a cake when the phone rang.
   • Like + to infinitive
     • has a slightly different meaning from
       • like + -ing:
         • Example: I like to catch the early bus on Mondays.

5. Verb + to infinitive or -ing (with a difference in meaning)

   • The following verbs have two different meanings depending on the verb form chat follows:
     • *remember, *forget, *regret, try, stop, mean, go on
   • Verb + to infinitive
     • Example: Remember to check whether the cake is ready
   • Verb + -ing
     • Example: I remember checking that I had my keys when I left the house.

6. Verb + -ing or infinitive without to (with a difference in meaning)

   • The following verbs connected with the senses may be followed by an Object and either -ing or the infinitive without to
     • Feel, hear, notice, see, watch
   • Notice
     • the difference in meaning
       • between verb + -ing and verb + infinitive without to:
         • Example: I watched the boys playing baseball.

7. Verb + that clause

   • All the verbs marked * in this unit can also be followed by a that clause with the same meaning:
     • Example 3: I suggest adding some lemon juice.
       • = I suggest (that) you add some lemon juice.
     • Example 2: Imagine sitting on a tropical beach with a cool drink.
       • = Imagine (that) you're sitting on a tropical beach...
     • Example 1: She admitted taking the money.
       • = She admitted (that) she had taken the money.

Images and files in the map