Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerunds and Infinitives

1. Use the gerund (verb + ing

   • 3. After some verbs, eg hate, spend, don't mind.
     • I don't mind getting up early.
   • 1. After prepositions and phrasal verbs.
     • I'm very good at remembering names.
     • She's given up smoking
   • 2. As the subject of a sentence.
     • Eating out is quite cheap here.
   • Common verbs: enjoy, ate, finish, like, love, mind, practise, spend, stop, suggest.

2. Use the infinitive (+ to)

   • 3. after some verbs, eg want, need, learn
     • She's never learnt to drive.
     • Try not to make a noise.
   • 1. After adjectives.
     • My flat is easy to find.
   • 2. to express a reason or purpose.
     • He's saving money to buy a new car.
   • Common verbs: afford, agree, decide, expect forget, help, hope, learn, need, offer, plan, pretend, promise, refuse, remember, seem, try, want, would like

3. Use the infinitive (without to)

   • 1. after most modal and auxiliary verbs.
     • I can't drive. We must hurry.
   • after make and let
     • She always makes me laugh.