Gerund or Infinitive? Rules, Verb Patterns, Examples and Common Mistakes

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 gerund and infinitive 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.

Quick Answer: Gerund or Infinitive?

Here is the simple version:

• a gerund is a verb ending in -ing that functions like a noun
• an infinitive is the base form of the verb, usually with to
• some verbs are followed by a gerund
• some verbs are followed by an infinitive
• some verbs can be followed by both, sometimes with a change in meaning

Compare:

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

That is why learners find this topic tricky: English does not always follow one neat little rule.

Gerund and Infinitive Practice Worksheet – download the PDF

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.
• I enjoy walking in the countryside.
• Learning a language takes time.

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

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.

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.

Examples:

• Running every morning is good for you.
• Swimming helps me relax.
• Martha is afraid of flying.
• I really enjoy reading before bed.

2. After Preference Verbs

We often use a gerund after verbs such as:

• like
• dislike
• love
• enjoy
• prefer
• hate

Examples:

• Sean loves swimming.
• We enjoy walking in the evenings.
• I hate getting up early on Sundays.
• She prefers travelling by train.

3. After Go for Physical Activities

We often use go + gerund to talk about activities.

Examples:

• We usually go shopping on Saturday.
• It’s so hot. Let’s go swimming.
• They went skiing in Austria last winter.
• We sometimes go camping in the summer.

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

Examples:

• I avoid exercising in the evening.
• Sean suggested taking the train to Bath.
• She admitted breaking the vase.
• Do you mind opening the window?
• We finished cleaning the kitchen.

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

Examples:

• I can’t stand waiting in queues.
• It’s worth visiting that museum.
• She is used to working late.
• There is no point arguing with him.
• I couldn’t help laughing.

6. After Prepositions

A gerund is used after a preposition.

Examples:

• Her legs were tired after walking for so long.
• She was afraid of losing her suitcase.
• Thank you for helping me.
• He left without saying goodbye.
• They talked about moving abroad.

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.

Examples:

• I saw Michael crossing the street.
  (I saw part of the action.)
• We heard the children laughing in the garden.
• She watched the snow falling quietly outside.
• They listened to the birds singing.

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.

Examples:

• She did some yoga to relax.
• We walked about to get warmer.
• I went to the shop to buy some milk.
• He phoned her to apologise.

2. After Would Like and Would Love

Examples:

• I would love to come to the party, but I’m too busy.
• I’d like to visit Australia.
• She would like to speak to the manager.
• We’d love to stay longer.

3. After Adjectives

We often use the infinitive after adjectives such as:

• happy
• pleased
• sorry
• angry
• glad
• surprised
• sad
• nice

Examples:

• It’s nice to see you again.
• The children were pleased to see an elephant.
• I was sorry to hear the news.
• She was happy to help.

4. After Nouns

Some nouns are followed by the infinitive.

Examples:

• It took a lot of courage to do that.
• Mark didn’t have the patience to do the jigsaw puzzle.
• She has the ability to solve difficult problems.
• We had no reason to complain.

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

Examples:

• Simon decided to study languages instead of history.
• We plan to visit some Greek islands on our holiday.
• He promised to call me later.
• They managed to finish on time.
• I hope to see you soon.

6. After Question Words

We often use the infinitive after words like:

• what
• where
• when
• who
• how
• which

But not usually after why.

Examples:

• We have to decide what to do.
• The tour guide instructed us where to go.
• I don’t know how to answer that question.
• She explained which train to take.

Compare:

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

7. After Too and Enough

Examples:

• Helen’s parents thought she was too young to drive.
• Is the cord long enough to reach the socket?
• This bag is too heavy to carry.
• He was not experienced enough to do the job alone.

When Do We Use the Bare Infinitive?

The bare infinitive is the verb without to.

1. After Modal Verbs

Examples:

• I wish I could help you.
• You must eat your dinner.
• She can speak three languages.
• We should leave now.

2. After Would Rather and Had Better

Examples:

• I would rather stay at home tonight.
• You’d better book your ticket in advance.
• She’d rather wait until tomorrow.
• We’d better leave before the traffic gets worse.

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

Examples:

• My dad lets me use his car at weekends.
• Our mum made us eat our dinner.
• I saw him cross the road.
  (complete action)
• 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)

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.

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.)

A tiny grammar change, a very different story.

Gerund and Infinitive in Cambridge Exams

This topic appears very often in Cambridge exams, especially in:

• Open Cloze
• Key Word Transformations
• Multiple-choice cloze
• Speaking
• Writing

Examples:

• I’m really looking forward to seeing you.
• We decided to postpone the meeting.
• I’d rather stay at home tonight.
• She made me laugh.

The more comfortable you are with verb patterns, the more natural and accurate your English will sound.

Gerund and Infinitive: Quick Summary

Use a gerund:

• as a noun
• after prepositions
• after certain verbs
• after certain expressions
• after preference verbs
• after go for activities

Use the full infinitive:

• to express purpose
• after certain verbs
• after adjectives
• after nouns
• after question words
• after too and enough

Use the bare infinitive:

• after modal verbs
• after would rather
• after had better
• after let and make

Final Thoughts 

Gerunds and infinitives can feel difficult at first because there is no single universal rule. However, once you learn the most common verb patterns and notice them in real examples, this grammar becomes much easier.

The key thing is not to memorise random lists without context. Try to learn each structure with a natural example:

• enjoy reading
• decide to go
• must leave
• look forward to seeing
• make someone laugh

That is how the patterns begin to stick.

Gerund and Infinitive: FAQ

What is the difference between a gerund and an infinitive?

A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that acts like a noun. An infinitive is the base form of the verb, often with to.

Do all verbs take a gerund or infinitive?

No. Some verbs take a gerund, some take an infinitive, some take the bare infinitive, and some can take both.

Is there a rule for gerund and infinitive?

There are patterns, but not one single rule for everything. That is why learning common verb patterns is so important.

What comes after a preposition?

Usually a gerund:

• interested in learning
• afraid of flying
• good at cooking

Why is this important for exams?

Because gerund and infinitive patterns are common in grammar tasks, sentence transformations, writing, and speaking exams.

Do the quiz to perfect your knowledge

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

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