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Infinitive and Gerund After Verbs

Intermediate

After this lesson, you will know when to use infinitives and when to use gerunds.

Exercise 1

Sentence Practice

She wants to go to the movie theater.
I’m planning to work in Canada.
He enjoys swimming.
I miss talking with my friends.
The man started running.
The man started to run.
She stopped smoking.
She stopped to smoke.

Grammar Focus

Verb + Infinitive Only

Some verbs are followed only by the infinitive. These verbs cannot be followed by a gerund.

He agreed to climb Mt. Everest with me.
He promised to climb Mt. Everest with me.
I hope to climb Mt. Everest.
He decided to climb Mt. Everest.
I managed to climb Mt. Everest.

'Agree/promise/hope/decide/manage climbing' is incorrect. Verbs only followed by infinitives include: want, expect, intend, decide, hesitate, wish, hope, promise, plan, offer, agree, manage, pretend.

Verb + Gerund Only

Some verbs are followed only by the gerund. These verbs cannot be followed by the infinitive.

They discussed climbing Mt. Everest.
She suggested climbing Mt. Everest.
I enjoyed climbing Mt. Everest.
I postponed climbing Mt. Everest due to a health problem.

The following verbs are in this category: finish, enjoy, appreciate, miss, admit, mind, avoid, escape, postpone, permit, suggest.

Verb + Infinitive/Gerund

Some verbs can be followed by either the infinitive or the gerund with the same meaning. The following verbs are in this category: like, love, start, begin.

I like hiking.
I like to hike.
They continued to argue throughout the night.
They continued arguing throughout the night.

Some verbs can be followed by both the infinitive and gerund, but the meaning differs. For example, “stop to do something” and “stop doing something” have different meanings. The following verbs are in this category: stop, forget, remember, regret.

I stopped inviting him to my parties. (= I used to invite him, but no longer do)
I stopped to admire the view. (= I was hiking, but stood still to look at the view)
I regretted inviting him to the party. (= I wish I had not invited him)
I regret to inform you that our company will not be hiring you. (= I am sorry to have to tell you this)

Exercise 2

Dialogue Practice

Read the dialogues aloud with your tutor.

	Sarah I would love to be a model.
	Nicole Why? They just keep walking back and forth in a room. You also have to practice walking with a book on your head.
	Sarah Yeah, but I like wearing pretty clothes.

	Teacher I finished reading your college admission essay.
	High School Student I really appreciate you checking my essay.
	Teacher No problem. What school is your top choice?
	High School Student I hope to get accepted to Harvard. Would you mind helping me prepare for the interview?
	Teacher I'm afraid I can't help with that. Just remember to go to your interview on time and dress appropriately!

	Camille What will you do with your dog when you are on vacation?
	David Well, Alex promised to take care of him. But it is annoying to have to find a pet-sitter every time I travel.
	Camille Yeah, that's why I stopped having pets.

Exercise 3

Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct answers to complete the sentences. There can be more than one correct answer.

I decided (quit) smoking.

A.
to quit
B.
quitting

I hope (see)you again.

A.
to see
B.
seeing

I promised (return).

A.
to return
B.
returning

She managed (solve) the problem.

A.
to solve
B.
solving

It started (rain).

A.
to rain
B.
raining

She hates (exercise).

A.
to exercise
B.
exercising

The country doesn't allow (smoke) in restaurants.

A.
to smoke
B.
smoking

They avoided (walk) through the dangerous neighborhood.

A.
to walk
B.
walking

We appreciate you (come).

A.
to come
B.
coming

Exercise 4

Sentence Building

You and your partner are thinking about living in New York. Use 'to live/living in New York' to make the following sentences. [G] stands for 'gerund' and [I] stands for 'infinitive'.

Example

decide + [I] → We decided to live in New York.

discuss + [G]
imagine + [G]
consider + [G]
prefer + [I]
wish + [I]
prepare + [I]
plan + [I]