Gerunds and Infinitives

Infinitives

“to” Infinitive (to + base verb)

We use “to + verb” after certain verbs to express purpose, intention, or future actions.

Common Verbs That Take “to” Infinitive

Want, need, decide, hope, plan, promise, agree, refuse, learn, try, forget, remember etc.

Examples

1. I want to travel to Japan next year. (desire)
2. She promised to call me later. (commitment)
3. He’s learning to cook Italian food. (skill development)
4. We decided to stay home. (choice)
5. I’m trying to learn how to play the guitar. (effort)

Gerunds and Infinitives

Read also: Worksheet-Future Simple Tense

Read also: Worksheet Modal verbs

Read also: 200 Idioms in English

Read also: Worksheet – Past simple

Read also: Exclamatory sentence worksheet

Special Cases: Gerunds and Infinitives

Would like, love, prefer to – (polite requests, preferences)

Examples

1. I’d love to visit Paris someday.
2. Would you like to join us?
3. I’d prefer to stay home and relax.
4. She’d like to travel to Japan for her vacation.
5. Would you prefer to meet at 2 PM or 3 PM?
6. Tell, ask, advise + someone + to – (giving instructions)

Examples

1. My boss told me to finish the report.
2. She asked him to be quiet.
3. The doctor told the patient to take the medication twice a day.
4. My friend advised me to try the new restaurant downtown.
5. The manager told the staff to meet at 9 AM sharp.

Gerund– Verbs + “-ing”

Gerunds and Infinitives

We use “-ing” after verbs that describe ongoing actions, experiences, or general activities.

Common Verbs That Take “-ing”.

enjoy, dislike, hate, love, like, prefer, avoid, finish, imagine, suggest, recommend, practice, mind (don’t mind), consider, miss.

Examples

1. I enjoy swimming in the ocean. (pleasure)
2. She avoids eating junk food. (prevention)
3. Do you mind closing the door? (request)
4. He finished writing his essay. (completion)
5. They recommend visiting the new museum. (suggestion)

Special Cases: Gerunds and Infinitives

1. Like, hate, love + -ing – (general preference)

Example

1. I love reading books. 
2. She hates waking up early.
3. He likes playing video games.
4. They love trying new foods.
5. I hate doing chores on weekends.
6. Prefer + -ing – (when comparing)

Example

1. I prefer walking to driving.
2. She prefers hiking to biking.
3. He prefers cooking to ordering takeout.
4. They prefer traveling by train to flying.
5. I prefer studying in the morning to studying at night.

Verbs That Can Take BOTH

Gerunds and Infinitives

(With Different Meanings!)

Some verbs change meaning depending on whether you use “to” or “-ing”.

Verb	+ to Infinitive	+ -ing
Remember	Remember to call him! (Don’t forget)	I remember meeting him. (Past memory)
Stop	She stopped to rest. (Paused for a reason)	I remember meeting him. (Past memory)
Try	Try to exercise daily. (Make an effort)	Try meditating for stress. (Experiment)
Regret	I regret to tell you. (Bad news)	I regret quitting my job. (Past mistake)

Example Sentences

1. I forgot to lock the door! (Didn’t do it)
2. I’ll never forget seeing the Eiffel Tower. (Memory)
3. She stopped to buy coffee. (Paused an action)
4. He stopped drinking soda. (Quit completely)

Common Mistakes & Fixes

Gerunds and Infinitives

• Wrong – I enjoy to swim.
  Correct – I enjoy swimming.
• Wrong – She needs calling her mom.
  Correct – She needs to call her mom.
• Wrong – He suggested to go out.
  Correct – He suggested going out.

Summary: Gerunds and Infinitives

1. to” Infinitive – Future plans, intentions, promises

      Example – I want to travel. She agreed to help.

1. “-ing” – Enjoyment, dislikes, completed actions

       Example – I love dancing. He finished working.

1. Both (different meanings)

     Example – Remember to study vs. I remember studying.

Key Points

Gerunds and Infinitives

• Memorize key verbs for each category.
• “to” – future intention, “-ing” – experience or habit.
• Practice with real-life sentences 

Example – I need to buy groceries vs. I enjoy shopping.

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