Gerund and Infinitive

Gerund and infinitive is one of the most confusing areas of English grammar for learners. In this lesson, you will learn the most important gerund and infinitive rules, common verb patterns, typical mistakes, and how to choose the correct form in real sentences. If you have ever wondered whether to say enjoy reading, want to read, or made me laugh, this guide to gerunds and infinitives will help make the difference much clearer.

Many students know the rules in theory, but still stop and hesitate when they need to say things like:

• I enjoy reading.
• I want to read.
• She made me laugh.
• It’s worth visiting.

So what is the difference between a gerund and an infinitive, and how do you know which one to use?

In this lesson, you will learn the most important gerund and infinitive rules, common verb patterns, typical mistakes, and plenty of natural example sentences. This grammar point is especially useful for B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE) learners because it appears often in speaking, writing, Use of English, and sentence transformation tasks.

Gerund and Infinitive Practice Worksheet – download the PDF

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What is a Gerund?

A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun.

Examples:

• Running every morning is good for you.
• Martha is afraid of flying.

In all of these examples, the -ing form behaves more like a noun than a normal verb.

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What is an Infinitive?

An infinitive is the base form of the verb.

There are two types:

• full infinitive = to + verb
• bare infinitive = verb without to

Examples:

• I want to go.
• She decided to study.
• You must leave.
• They made us wait.

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When Do We Use a Gerund?

We use a gerund in several common situations.

1. Gerund as the Subject or Object of a Sentence

A gerund can act as a noun, so it can be the subject or object.

• Learning a foreign language takes time and patience.
• Daniel is interested in photography and travelling.

2. After Preference Verbs

We often use a gerund after verbs such as: like, dislike, love, enjoy, prefer, hate.

• We enjoy walking in the evenings.
• I hate getting up early on Sundays.

3. After Go for Physical Activities

We often use go + gerund to talk about activities.

• We usually go shopping on Saturday.
• They went skiing in Austria last winter.

4. After Certain Verbs

Many verbs are followed by a gerund. Some common ones are: avoid, admit, deny, discuss, enjoy, finish, keep, mind, recommend, regret, risk, suggest, stop.

• Sean suggested taking the train to Bath.
• Do you mind opening the window?

5. After certain expressions and phrases

We often use a gerund after phrases such as: it’s no use, it’s no good, it’s worth, be used to, be busy, there’s no point, can’t stand, can’t help.

• I can’t stand waiting in queues.
• It’s worth visiting that museum.

6. After Prepositions

A gerund is used after a preposition.

• Her legs were tired after walking for so long.
• She was afraid of losing her suitcase.

This is one of the most important rules to remember.

7. After See, Hear, Watch and Listen to for an Incomplete Action

We can use a gerund after verbs of perception when we see or hear part of an action in progress.

• I saw Michael crossing the street.
  (I saw part of the action.)
• We heard the children laughing in the garden.

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When Do We Use the Full Infinitive?

Now let us look at the full infinitive: to + verb.

1. To Express Purpose

We often use the infinitive to explain why someone does something.

• She did some yoga to relax.

2. After Would Like and Would Love

• I would love to come to the party, but I’m too busy.

3. After Adjectives

We often use the infinitive after adjectives such as: happy, pleased, sorry, angry, glad, surprised, sad, nice.

• It’s nice to see you again.
• The children were pleased to see an elephant.

4. After Nouns

Some nouns are followed by the infinitive.

• It took a lot of courage to do that.
• Mark didn’t have the patience to do the jigsaw puzzle.

5. After Certain Verbs

Many verbs are followed by the infinitive. Common ones include: agree, decide, hope, manage, offer, plan, promise, want, need, expect, refuse.

• Simon decided to study languages instead of history.
• We plan to visit some Greek islands on our holiday.

6. After Question Words

We often use the infinitive after words like: what, where, when, who, how, which.

But not usually after why.

• We have to decide what to do.

Compare:

• She wondered why he disliked her.
  (Not: why to dislike)

7. After Too and Enough

• Helen’s parents thought she was too young to drive.
• Is the cord long enough to reach the socket?

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When Do We Use the Bare Infinitive?

The bare infinitive is the verb without to.

1. After Modal Verbs

• I wish I could help you.
• You must eat your dinner.

2. After Would Rather and Had Better

• I would rather stay at home tonight.
• You’d better book your ticket in advance.

3. After Let, Make, and Sometimes See / Hear + Object

• My dad lets me use his car at weekends.
• Our mum made us eat our dinner.
• We heard her sing the whole song.

This is a useful contrast:

• I saw him cross the road.
  (whole action)
• I saw him crossing the road.
  (part of the action / action in progress)

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Gerund or Infinitive: Verbs That Change Meaning

This is one of the most important parts of the topic.

Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning changes.

Remember

• I remember meeting her years ago.
  (I have a memory of it.)
• Remember to meet her at the station.
  (Do not forget.)

Stop

• He stopped smoking.
  (He quit the habit.)
• He stopped to smoke.
  (He stopped something else in order to smoke.)

Try

• Try pressing this button.
  (experiment / see what happens)
• Try to press this button.
  (make an effort)

Regret

• I regret telling him.
  (I am sorry about something in the past.)
• We regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful.
  (formal announcement)

These verbs are favourites in exams because they test meaning, not just form.

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Common Mistakes with Gerunds and Infinitives

1. Using the Infinitive After a Preposition

Incorrect: She is afraid of to fly.

Correct: She is afraid of flying.

After a preposition, use a gerund.

2. Using a Gerund After a Verb That Takes the Infinitive

Incorrect: He decided going home.

Correct: He decided to go home.

3. Adding To After Modal Verbs

Incorrect: You must to finish this today.

Correct: You must finish this today.

4. Confusing Stop Doing and Stop to Do

Incorrect meaning: I stopped to smoke. (This means I paused another action in order to smoke.)

Different meaning: I stopped smoking. (This means I quit smoking.)

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Gerund and Infinitive Quiz

Gerund and Infinitive Practice Worksheet – download the PDF

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Related posts: 

• Words and Phrases Followed by a Gerund
• Words and Phrases Followed by Infinitive
• Grammatical Patterns after Reporting Verbs
• Verbs that Change Meaning with Infinitive and Gerund
• 35 Reporting Verbs in English