VERBS COMMONLY FOLLOWED BY A GERUND

1- After verbs that express likes/dislikes :

like
love
enjoy
dislike
hate
Example:
" I like playing soccer but I hate boxing."
Note "like/love/hate..." can be also followed by an infinitive:
Example:
I like to watch TV in the evening.
2- After verbs such as :
1. Verbs

Examples

2. admit

He admitted stealing the wallet.

3. advise

I wouldn't advise buying a used car.

4. allow

They don't allow smoking here. (Note that when an object is

introduced an infinitive is used instead of a gerund:they allowed us
to leave early.)

5. anticipate
6. avoid
7. appreciate

He anticipated passing the exam.

She avoided meeting him.
I appreciate working with you.

8. complete

They completed building their house.

9. consider

She considered starting a new business.

10.delay

She delayed doing her homework.

11.deny

He denied stealing the money.

12.fancy

Fancy meeting you here!

13.finish

She finished writing the letter.

14.go

go swimming.

15.imagine

He imagines meeting her.

16.involve

the job involves working in teams.

17.keep
18.mention

He keeps complaining about his girlfriend.

He mentioned working in that company.

19.mind

Would you mind helping me?

20.miss

He misses talking to her.

21.permit

The don't permit smoking here. (Note that, like allow, when an
object is introduced an infinitive is used instead of a gerund: they
permitted us to leave early.)

22.postpone

They postponed traveling to Japan.

23.practice

She practiced painting.

24.reject

He rejected working with them.

25.resist

He couldn't resist eating the cake.

26.risk

She risks losing her job.

27.suggest

I suggest leaving early.

28.waste
time/money

Don't waste my time complaining.

3- After prepositions

aim at

keep on

interested in

instead of

good at

before ...

after ...

Example:
"I am interested in collecting stamps."
"After playing football I drank an orange juice".
4- After some expressions :

It's no use ...

It's no good ...

There's no point in ...

I can't help...

I don't mind...

I can't stand/bear...

" It's no use convincing him to meet her. "

VERBS THAT CAN BE FOLLOWED BY BOTH AN INFINITIVE AND A

GERUND:
Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive. Here are some examples:

start

begin

stop

remember...

Example:

"I started smoking when I was young."

"I started to smoke when I left the office."

VERBS THAT CAN BE FOLLOWED BY AN INFINITIVE

1- After verbs that generally refer to a future event:
Verbs

Examples

1. afford We can't afford to buy a new car.

2. agree She agreed to help him.
3. aim

The government aims to reduce illiteracy rates

4. arrange He arranged to stay at a hotel.

5. attempt He attempted to join them.
6. choose He chose to stay at home.
7. consent She consented to marry him.
8. decide They decided to go to the movies.
9. deserve He deserves to be punished.
10.
11.
12.

de He demanded to speak to Mrs. Lynch

mand
en They endeavor to provide the best possible service
deavor
ex They expected to arrive early.
pect

13.

fai He failed to convince him.

l

14.
15.

ha They happened to be at the theatre when we met them.

ppen
hel She helped me to do the exercise. (Note, help is also followed by a bare
p
infinitive: She helped me do the exercise.)

16.

ho I hope to join you as soon as possible.

pe

17.

int She intends to write an autobiography.

end

18.

lea He learned to play the guitar when he was young.

rn

19.

ma He managed to do his homework without his mother's help.

nage

20.

ne I need to find a job.

ed

21.

off He offers to help us.

er

22.

pla He plans to follow a career as an engineer.

n

23.

pr The child pretended to be asleep.

etend

24.

pr He proceeded to show us how to use the machine.

oceed

25.

pr She promised to come on time.

omise

26.

ref She refused to forgive him.

use

27.

se He seemed to be unhappy.
em

28.

sw I swear to tell the truth.

ear

29.

thr He threatened to reveal her secret.

eaten

30.

vol He always volunteers to help the needy.

unteer

31.

wa I want to finish my work early.

nt

32.
wo He would hate to lose.
uld hate
33.

wo He would like to drink a cup of tea.

uld like

34.

wo I would love to meet you.

uld love

2- After adjectives

be determined

be disappointed

be glad

be happy

be pleased

Verbs Followed by an Infinitive

She agreed to speak before the game.

Examples:
"I'm glad to know that
exam."
"I'm pleased to meet
"I'm disappointed to
flunked maths."

agree
aim
appear
arrange
ask
attempt
be able
beg
begin
care
choose
condescend

consent
continue
dare
decide
deserve
detest
dislike
expect
fail
forget
get
happen

have
hesitate
hope
hurry
intend
leap
leave
like
long
love
mean
neglect

3- After "too" &

Example: "It's too difficult to convince him to be helpful."

" But it's easy enough to fool him to get what you want."

Verbs Followed by a Gerund

They enjoyed working on the boat.
delay
deny
detest
dislike
enjoy
escape
excuse

shoot
start
stop
strive
swear
threaten
try
use
wait
want
wish

you passed the

you."
hear that you

"enough":

too difficult
easy enough

admit
advise
appreciate
avoid
can't help
complete
consider

offer
ought
plan
prefer
prepare
proceed
promise
propose
refuse
remember
say

finish
forbid
get
through
have
imagine
mind
miss

permit
postpone
practice
quit
recall
report
resent

resist
resume
risk
spend
(time)
suggest
tolerate
waste
(time)

Verbs Followed by a Preposition and a Gerund

We concentrated on doing well.
admit to
of
Verbs Followed approve
argue about
OR Infinitives
believe in
care about
Meaning)
complain
begin
She began singing.about
She began to sing. concentrate on
confess to

dread

forget

depend on
plan on
disapprove of prevent (someone)
by Gerunds
discourage
from
(Different
from
refrain from
dream about
succeed in
feel like
talk about
forget about
think about
She is beginning
to sing.
insist on
worry about
object to WHEN "BEGIN" IS USED IN CONTINUOUS TENSES, AN

WHEN "BEGIN" IS USED IN NON-CONTINUOUS

TENSES, YOU CAN EITHER USE A GERUND OR AN
INFINITIVE.

INFINITIVE IS USED.

She dreaded taking the test.

He dreaded to think of the consequences of his actions.

USUALLY "DREAD" IS FOLLOWED BY A GERUND.

"DREAD" IS SOMETIMES USED WITH INFINITIVES SUCH AS

"THINK" OR "CONSIDER." IN THE SENTENCE ABOVE,
"DREADED TO THINK" MEANS "DID NOT WANT TO THINK."

She forgot reading the book when she was a

kid.

She forgot to pay the rent this month.

WHEN "FORGET" IS USED WITH A GERUND, IT

MEANS "TO FORGET THAT YOU HAVE DONE
SOMETHING." THE SENTENCE ABOVE MEANS THAT
SHE READ THE BOOK WHEN SHE WAS A KID, AND
THAT SHE HAS FORGOTTEN THAT FACT.

keep

She kept talking.

"KEEP" IS NORMALLY USED WITH A GERUND TO
MEAN THAT YOU CONTINUE DOING AN ACTION.

WHEN FORGET IS USED WITH AN INFINITIVE, IT MEANS "TO

FORGET THAT YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING." THE
SENTENCE ABOVE MEANS THAT SHE FORGOT THAT SHE
NEEDED TO PAY THE RENT.

The attackers kept hostages to prevent the police from

entering.
"KEEP" CAN ALSO BE USED WITH AN OBJECT FOLLOWED BY
AN INFINITIVE, BUT THEN THE INFINITIVE TAKES ON THE
MEANING OF "IN ORDER TO... ." IN THE SENTENCE ABOVE,
THE ATTACKERS KEPT HOSTAGES IN ORDER TO PREVENT
THE POLICE FROM ENTERING.

need

The house needs cleaning.

WHEN "NEED" IS USED WITH A GERUND, IT TAKES
ON A PASSIVE MEANING. THE SENTENCE ABOVE
MEANS "THE HOUSE NEEDS TO BE CLEANED."

regret

I regretted being late to the interview.

He needs to call his boss.

He needs him to call his boss.
"NEED" IS USUALLY USED WITH AN INFINITIVE OR AN
OBJECT + AN INFINITIVE.

We regret to inform you that your position at the

company is being eliminated.

"REGRET" IS NORMALLY USED WITH A GERUND.

"REGRET" IS SOMETIMES USED WITH INFINITIVES SUCH AS
"TO INFORM." IN THE SENTENCE ABOVE, "WE REGRET TO
INFORM YOU" MEANS "WE WISH WE DID NOT HAVE TO TELL
YOU (BAD NEWS)."

remembe
r

I remember mentioning the meeting yesterday.

He remembered to turn off the lights before he left.

WHEN "REMEMBER" IS USED WITH A GERUND, IT

MEANS "TO REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE DONE
SOMETHING." THE SENTENCE ABOVE MEANS THAT I

WHEN "REMEMBER" IS USED WITH AN INFINITIVE, IT MEANS

"TO REMEMBER THAT YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING." THE
SENTENCE ABOVE MEANS THAT HE REMEMBERED THAT HE

MENTIONED THE MEETING, AND THAT

THE FACT THAT

start

I REMEMBER

NEEDED TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF.

I DID THAT.

Marge started talking really fast.

Marge started to talk really fast.

Marge is starting to talk really fast.

WHEN "START" IS USED IN NON-CONTINUOUS

TENSES, YOU CAN EITHER USE A GERUND OR AN
INFINITIVE.

WHEN "START" IS USED IN CONTINUOUS TENSES, AN

INFINITIVE IS USED.
I started to learn Russian, but it was so much work that
I finally quit the class.
IN OTHER SITUATIONS, AN INFINITIVE MEANS THAT YOU DID
NOT COMPLETE OR CONTINUE AN ACTION.

stop

try

He stopped smoking for health reasons.

He stopped to rest for a few minutes.

"STOP" IS NORMALLY USED WITH A GERUND.

WHEN "STOP" IS USED WITH AN INFINITIVE, THE INFINITIVE

TAKES ON THE MEANING OF "IN ORDER TO." IN THE
SENTENCE ABOVE, HE STOPPED IN ORDER TO REST FOR A
FEW MINUTES.

She can't find a job. She tried looking in the

paper, but there was nothing. She tried asking
friends and family, but nobody knew of anything.
She also tried going shop to shop, but nobody
was hiring.

She tried to climb the tree, but she couldn't even get off
the ground.

"TRY + GERUND" MEANS TO TRY OR TO

WHEN YOU "TRY TO DO" SOMETHING, YOU WANT TO DO IT,

BUT YOU DO NOT SUCCEED IN ACTUALLY DOING IT. IN THE
SENTENCE ABOVE, AN INFINITIVE IS USED BECAUSE SHE
CANNOT SUCCESSFULLY CLIMB THE TREE.

EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT METHODS TO SEE IF

SOMETHING WORKS.

Try not to wake the baby when you get up tomorrow at

5 AM.

She tried eating the snake soup, but she didn't

like it.

AN INFINITIVE IS ALSO USED IF YOU ARE ASKING SOMEONE

TO TRY SOMETHING THEY MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO

"TRY + GERUND" IS OFTEN USED WHEN YOU

EXPERIMENT WITH SOMETHING, BUT YOU DO NOT
REALLY LIKE IT OR WANT TO DO IT AGAIN.

ACCOMPLISH.

Gerunds and Infinitives Part 1

1. A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing." The gerund form of the verb "read" is
"reading." You can use a gerund as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence.
Examples:
Reading helps you learn English.
Her favorite hobby is reading.
I enjoy reading.

SUBJECT OF SENTENCE

COMPLEMENT OF SENTENCE

OBJECT OF SENTENCE

Gerunds can be made negative by adding "not."

Examples:
He enjoys not working.

 The best thing for your health is not smoking.

2. Infinitives are the "to" form of the verb. The infinitive form of "learn" is "to learn." You can
also use an infinitive as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence.
Examples:
To learn is important.

SUBJECT OF SENTENCE

The most important thing is to learn.

He wants to learn.

COMPLEMENT OF SENTENCE

OBJECT OF SENTENCE

Infinitives can be made negative by adding "not."

Examples:
I decided not to go.
The most important thing is not to give up.

3. Both gerunds and infinitives can be used as the subject or the complement of a sentence.
However, as subjects or complements, gerunds usually sound more like normal, spoken
English, whereas infinitives sound more abstract. In the following sentences, gerunds sound
more natural and would be more common in everyday English. Infinitives emphasize the
possibility or potential for something and sound more philosophical. If this sounds confusing,
just remember that 90% of the time, you will use a gerund as the subject or complement of a
sentence.
Examples:
Learning is important.
To learn is important.

NORMAL SUBJECT

ABSTRACT SUBJECT

- LESS COMMON

The most important thing is learning.

NORMAL COMPLEMENT

The most important thing is to learn.

ABSTRACT COMPLEMENT

- LESS COMMON

4. As the object of a sentence, it is more difficult to choose between a gerund or an infinitive. In

such situations, gerunds and infinitives are not normally interchangeable. Usually, the main
verb in the sentence determines whether you use a gerund or an infinitive.
Examples:
He enjoys swimming. "ENJOY" REQUIRES A GERUND.
He wants to swim. "WANT" REQUIRES AN INFINITIVE.

5. Some verbs are followed by gerunds as objects. List of Verbs Followed by Gerunds
Examples:
She suggested going to a movie.
Mary keeps talking about her problems.

6. Some verbs are followed by infinitives. List of Verbs Followed by Infinitives

Examples:
She wants to go to a movie.
Mary needs to talk about her problems.

Verbs Followed by Gerunds OR Infinitives (Similar Meaning)

can't bear

He can't bear being alone.

He can't bear to be alone.

can't
stand

Nancy can't stand working the late shift.

Nancy can't stand to work the late shift.

cease

The government ceased providing free

health care.

The government ceased to provide free

health care.

continue

She continued talking.

She continued to talk.

hate

He hates cleaning dishes.

He hates to clean dishes.

like

Samantha likes reading.

Samantha likes to read.

love

We love scuba diving.

We love to scuba dive.

neglect

He neglected doing his daily chores.

He neglected to do his daily chores.

prefer

He prefers eating at 7 PM.

He prefers to eat at 7 PM.

propose

Drew proposed paying for the trip.

Drew proposed to pay for the trip.

REMEMBER

Although the difference in meaning is small with these particular verbs, and gerunds and
infinitives can often be used interchangeably, there is still a meaning difference. Using a
gerund suggests that you are referring to real activities or experiences. Using an infinitive
suggests that you are talking about potential or possible activities or experiences. Because of
this small difference in meaning, gerunds and infinitives cannot always be used
interchangeably, such as in the examples below.
Examples:
The British reporter likes living in New York. HE LIVES IN NEW YORK AND HE LIKES WHAT HE
EXPERIENCES THERE.
The British reporter likes to live in New York whenever he works in the United States. HE LIKES
THE OPTION OR POSSIBILITY OF LIVING IN NEW YORK WHEN HE WORKS IN THE UNITED STATES.
I like speaking French because it's such a beautiful language. I LIKE THE EXPERIENCE OF SPEAKING
FRENCH, AND THE WAY IT MAKES ME FEEL WHEN I SPEAK THE LANGUAGE.
I like to speak French when I'm in France. I PREFER THE OPTION OF SPEAKING FRENCH WHEN I AM IN
FRANCE.

Execises

I can't imagine Peter going by bike.

He agreed to buy a new car.
The question is easy to answer .
The man asked me how to get to the airport.
I look forward to seeing you at the weekend.
Are you thinking of visiting London?
We decided to run through the forest.
The teacher expected Sarah to study hard.
She doesn't mind working the night shift.
I learned to ride the bike at the age of 5.
We decided to buy a new car.
They've got some work to do .
Peter gave up smoking .
He'd like to fly an aeroplane.

I enjoy writing picture postcards.

Do you know what to do if there's a fire in the shop?
Avoid making silly mistakes.
My parents wanted me to be home at 11 o'clock.
I dream about building a big house.
I'm hoping to see Lisa
He likes reading books. Gerund
He is reading books. Progressive/Continuous
Reading books can be great fun. Gerund
He is interested in reading books. Gerund
He was reading books. Progressive/Continuous
He has been reading books for two hours. Progressive/Continuous
Instead of reading books Henry went to bed. Gerund
Do you like reading books? Gerund
He had been reading books. Progressive/Continuous
His hobby is reading books. Gerund

I am keen on working

Amy decided to see

Leila enjoys working

Do you intend to learn

Do you mind helping

Alan askezd to talk

I can't help laughing

when I watch Mr Been.

If Sara keeps coming

to work late, she'll have problems with the boss.

Liza hates studying

Are you interested in living

in the computer industry.

a doctor.
love stories.
Italian or English?
me wash the dishes?
to the boss

Maths.
in Africa