GERUNDS, INFINITIVES

Directions: Complete the sentences with PREPOSITIONS followed by GERUNDS. Use the verbs in the given list. Use each
verb only once.

ask
break
finish
1. Instead

of asking

have
kill
lock

make
open
practice

see
talk
wash

for help on each arithmetic problem, you should use your book and try to figure out the answers

yourself.
2. I look forward _____________________ you the next time I'm in town. I'll be sure to let
you know ahead of time so that we can plan to get together.
3. Alice told us that she was tired _____________________ the dishes every night.
4. The four-year-old was blamed ______________________the glass candy dish.
5. Because of the bomb scare, no one was allowed in the building. People were prevented
_____________________the front door by a guard who was stationed there.
6. You should listen to other people instead ______________________ about yourself all the time.

7. What do you feel _____________________ for dinner? Does chicken and rice sound good?
8. Frank is an environmental conservationist who believes animals should be protected from hunters. He objects

wild

animals for sport.

9. Please don't argue ______________________ your homework. Just do it.
10. Marie is responsible _____________________ all the doors and windows and sure all the lights are turned off before she
leaves work in the evening.
11. Mario spent all month preparing for the tennis match, but in spite _____________________ for many hours each day, he
lost the match to Ivan.
Directions: Choose the best answer or answers. In some cases, BOTH answers are correct.
1. John was trying

the door with the wrong key.

A. unlocking

2. The audience began__________ before the curtains closed.

B. to unlock

A. clapping

3. The soccer teams continued ___________ even though it began to snow.

4. We like __________ outside when the weather is warm and sunny.

B. to clap

A. playing

A. eating

B. to eat

5. We began___________ to the news when we heard the Olympics mentioned. A. listening

6. I was just beginning ___________asleep when the phone rang.

A. falling

7. I really hate ___________ late for appointments.

B. to be

A. being

8. The cake was starting ___________ when I took it out of the oven.

B. to play
B. to listen

B. to fall

A. burning

B. to burn

9. She's so impatient! She can't stand __________ in line for anything. A. waiting

B. to wait

10. I prefer __________ my bicycle to work because the automobile traffic is too heavy.

A. riding

B. to ride

13. The baby loves __________ in the car.

A. riding
B. to ride
14. Near the end of the performance, the audience began ____ their feet on the floor.

A. stamping

B. to stamp

15. The audience began to clap and____ their feet on the floor.

A. stamping

B. (to) stamp

16. The audience began clapping and ____ their feet on the floor.

A. stamping

B. (to) stamp

11. Lillian prefers __________ to taking the bus.

A. walking

B. to walk

12. Tim prefers __________ than to jog for exercise.

A. walking

B. to walk

17. My son sometimes forgets ____ the stove when he's finished cooking.

A. turning off

18. Alex will never forget ____ his first helicopter ride.

B. to take

A. taking

B. to turn off

19. Would you please remember ____ away all the tapes when you're finished listening to them? A. putting B. to put

20. I remember ____ them away when I finished with them last night.

A. putting

B. to put

21. I remember ____ Bolivia for the first time. It's a beautiful country.

A. visiting

B. to visit

22. What am I going to do? I forgot _____ my calculus text, and I need it for the review today. A. bringing B. to bring
23. My boss regrets ____ his secretary now that she is gone.

A. firing

24. The letter said, "I regret ____ you that your application has been denied."

B. to fire
A. informing

B. to inform

25. I haven't been able to get in touch with Shannon. I tried _____ her. Then I tried _____
her a letter. I tried ____ a message with her brother when I talked to him. Nothing worked.
A. calling/writing/leaving B. to call/to write/to leave
26. I always try ____ my bills on time, but sometimes I'm a little late.

A. paying

B. to pay

1. The store offered _____to refund___the money I paid for the book I returned. (refund)
2. Don't pretend

to be

what you aren't, (be)

3. I persuaded my brother-in-law not _________________that old car. (buy)

4. Annie denied _________________ the brick through the window, (throw)
5. My father expects me_________________ high marks in school, (get)
6. According to the sign on the restaurant door, all diners are required_________________ shirts and shoes, (wear)

7. We are planning _________________ several historical sites in Moscow, (visit)

8. There appears _________________ no way to change our reservation for the play at thiis late date date. (be)

9. For some strange reason, I keep _________________ today is Saturday, (think)

10. All of the members agreed _________________ the emergency meeting, (attend)
11. I've arranged _________________ work early tomorrow, (leave)
12. Even though Anna had never cut anyone's hair before, she readily consented___________her husband's hair, (cut)
13. Mary decided _________________ her friend's critical remarks, (ignore)
14. My roommate says I have a terrible voice, so I stopped _________________ in the shower. (sing)

15. Did the doctor mention _________________ any foods in particular? (avoid)
16. The cashier always remembers _________________ the money in her cash register each day before she leaves work.

(count)
17. Let's hurry! We must finish _________________ the office before 3:00 this afternoon. (paint)
18. The student with the highest average deserves __________________ an "A", (get)
19.1 appreciate your _________________ for my dinner. I'll buy next time, (pay)
20. The physically handicapped child struggled _________________ up with the other children on the playground, but she
couldn't, (keep)
21. Janice misses _________________ walks with her father in the evening now that she has moved away from home, (take)
22. The customs official demanded _________________ what was inside the gift-wrapped box. (know)
23. We've discussed _________________ to New York in the fall, but I'm worried about our children having to adjust to a
new school system and new friends, (move)
24. Children shouldn't be allowed __________________violent programs on TV. (watch)
25. In a fit of anger, I ordered my neighbor __________________ his mule off my property. (keep)

Directions: Complete the sentences with the correct form, GERUND or INFINITIVE, using the words in
parentheses.
1. The doctor was forced to Operate immediately to save the patient's life, {operate)
2. The newspaper hired Bill _______________ pictures of the championship match between the two boxers.(shoot)
3. Most passengers dislike _______________ to sit in small, uncomfortable seats on transoceanic flights, (have)
4. I chose ________________ to Stanford University for my undergraduate studies, (go)

5. I must drive more carefully. I can't risk ______________ another speeding ticket, (get)
6. All of the members agreed _______________ the emergency meeting, (attend)
7. Jack promised ________________ to the meeting, (come)
8. The sign warns you not _______________ right on a red light, (turn)
9. Did Dick mean ________________ Sue about the surprise party, or did it slip out accidentally? (tell)
10. You must keep ____________________ on the computer until you understand how to use all of the programs,
(practice)
11. Our class volunteered _______________ the classroom during the maintenance workers' strike, (clean)
12. When you get through ________________the newspaper, I could use your help in the kitchen, (read)
13. I think we should delay _______________ these reports to the main office, (send)
14. The judge demanded ________________the original document, not the photocopy, (see)
15. After hearing the weather report, I advise you not ___________ skiing this afternoon, (go)
16. George is interested in ______________ an art class, (take)
17. I was furious. I threatened never ______________ to him again, (speak)
18. My parents appreciated____________________the thank-you note you sent them. (reactive)
19. The committee is planning _______________ next Friday, (meet)
20. If I don't leave on the 15th, I will miss ____________ home in time for my mother's birthday party, (get)

21. I know you're anxious to get out of here and get back home, but you should seriously consider______________
in the hospital a few more days, (stay)
22. Alex refused _______________________ for his rude behavior, (apologize)
23. When I was in the army, I had to swear ________________ my senior officers' orders, (obey)
24. I don't recall ____________ your dictionary anywhere in the apartment. Maybe you left it in the classroom, (see)

25. Mrs. Lind required the children _______________ off their muddy boots before they came into the house, (take)

 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb given. Use -ing or to ...
( English garmmer in use supplementary page 75 )
1 As we don't agree about politics we generally avoid .. .. discussing . (discuss) the subject.
2 He doesn't get on with the new boss, so he's asked ..to be transferred ... (transfer) to another
branch of the company.
3 Please stop ...................................... (interrupt) me when I'm explaining something to you. You can ask
questions at the end.
4 We had arranged ......................................(meet) in my office so that he could check the documents he needed.
5 I must say, I don't really fancy ................................... (spend) my whole holiday with your cousins.
6 He admits .......................................(enter) the house but he says he didn't take anything.
7 I've apologised to her but she still refuses ................................... (speak) to me.
8 What a dreadful man! Can you imagine ................................... (live) with him?
9 Of course I'll help you, as long as it doesn't involve...................................(lift) anything heavy.
10 Oh no! I've forgotten .....................................(bring) my briefcase with me. I'll have to go back for it.
11 They had hoped ..................................... (live) in their new house by now, but the builders are still working on
it.
12 I don't mind ...................................... (work) late, if it will help at all.
13 I simply can't afford ..................................... (support) you any longer - you'll just have to find a job.
14 We had hoped to finish the project by the end of the month but we keep ................... ..
(delay)
by changes in the plans.
15 You'd better go and see the boss and say what you've done. If you put off .................. (explain) it to
her, she'll only be more annoyed.
Complete the conversations. ( page 76 )
A ANN: What are you doing this weekend?
BILL: I'm hoping ( 1 ) .. to visit my parents If I can.
ANN: I thought you went to see them last weekend.
BILL.: No, I planned {2) ............................ them, but they suggested ( 3 ) ..
........................................................................ the visit for a week because they hadn't finished (4)
................. the spare room.
B CILLA: Can you help me with these packages? DAVE; Of course. CILLA: I've got to get them all posted
ay.
DAVE : One of our big customers has said he'll consider (5 )..
to another supplier if we don't improve our delivery times.
DAVE: Have we been failing (6) .............................. on time? I didn't know that.
CILLA: Apparently someone forgot (7) ............................ an order last month. So I agreed
(8).. them myself this time, because we can't risk (9 ) ..such an important
customer.
C JACK: Oh dear, here's another note from Peter.
SEAN: Why does he keep (10) ............................... to you?
JACK: He wants me to join his basketball team. He's offered ( 11 ) ..................... me repair my car if I agree
(12) ..them. The trouble is, it involves (13 ) to a lot
of practice sessions and I haven't got time. And I can fix the car by myself.
SEAN : Well, you'll just have to find a way to say no. You can't avoid ( 14 ). to him for

ever.
Complete the report by putting the verbs in the correct form, using -ing or to .... ( page 76 )
Cyclist abandons 24 hour ride
ANDREW SFICER, the local cycling star, has decided ( 1 ) ..to abandon . (abandon) his
second attempt ( 2) ( ride) non-stop for twenty-four hours. His decision ( 3 )
(give) up came after poor weather conditions h ad c aus e d hi m t o del a y ( 4 )
. (set) off for several hours. His first attempt had also ended in failure, when he
appeared ( 5 ) .
(lose) control of his bicycle after he swerved to avoid (6 )......................................( hit) a small child.
He narrowly missed (7) .(crash) into a gate and ended up in a stream. He
says that he has not yet decided whether (18) ..................................................... (try) one more tune, but
denies ( 9 ) . (lose) interest in the project. I aim ( 10 )
(raise) money for the local hospital,' he explains. 'They deserve (11 )
(help)
and I shall do it if I can manage (12)............................................................................... (find) the time
Read and complete the conversations. Use a preposition + -ing (in going / for writing / of doing
etc.) or the infinitive (to go / to write / to do etc.).
( Page 82 )
A SID:
Look, there's Angela. Isn't she lovely?
TOM: She's all right. You really like her, don't you?
SID:
Oh, yes. 1 dream (j) ..of.taking.. (take) her out for a meal or a film, but I'm afraid (2) ..to ask...
(her).
TOM: Why?
SID:
Well, I suppose I'm afraid (3) ............................. (look) foolish if she refuses.
TOM: If you like her so much, you shouldn't be afraid (4) ........................ (risk) it.
Anyway,
I'm
sure
she
won't
refuse.
SID:
Really?
OK.
I'll
phone
her
tonight.
TOM: Good. I'm glad I've succeeded (5) ............................ (persuade) you to phone her.
SID :
Why do you say that?
TOM: I happen to know she rather fancies you. I told her I'd make you phone her! She'll be looking
forward (6) (hear) from you!
B BRIAN: Good morning Phil, could we have a word in my office?
PHILL : Of course.
BRAIN : I'm sorry (7) ............................. (have) to tell you, but I'm afraid you failed ( 8 )
(achieve) high enough sales to earn a bonus this month. I suppose it was the bad weather?
PHILL : Yes, I expect it was. I'm very sorry (9) ....................... (let) you down.
BRAIN : OK. I'm sure you'll make it up soon. Actually I'm thinking ( 10 ). (send )
one or two junior sales staff on a course next month. Would you be interested (11
)
(go ) ?
PHILL : Yes , I would be .
BRAIN : Good. See you later then.
PHILL : Yes. Thank you. Goodbye.

Gerund / infinitive
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

We hope ___________________(visit) Mexico City on our next trip.

John avoided ___________________ (speak) to the teacher about it.
Mr. Foster definitely needs ___________________ (buy) an overcoat.
The Andersons enjoyed ___________________ (go) to that play.
He demanded ___________________ (see) the report immediately.
My friend says he plans ___________________ (study) Italian next year.
Bill doesn't wish ___________________ (reveal) his plans to us yet.
Have you finished ___________________ (read) that new novel yet?
Would you mind ___________________ (shut) both of those windows.
Fred admitted ___________________ (know) very little about that subject.
You shouldn't put off ___________________ (write) your homework.
We would appreciate ___________________ (receive) your answer promptly.

13. I expect ___________________ (receive) an answer from the Browns soon.

14. Mr. Green suggested ___________________ (leave) before the weekend.
15. I definitely recall ___________________ (put) the envelope here on my desk.
16. Why did they refuse ___________________ (give) you the information?
17. I really can't postpone ___________________ (tell) them any longer.
18. We wanted ___________________ (buy) something a little less expensive.
19. How can anyone resist ___________________ (like) that charming girl?
20. We don't want ___________________ (risk) ___________________ (lose) our money that way.
21. I don't intend ___________________ (tell) anyone about my plans yet.
22. For a while, we considered ___________________ (not go) with them.
23. The children promised not ___________________ (do) that any more.
24. I don't deny ___________________ (not understand) that part of the lesson.
25. Why don't you offer ___________________ (help) him with that work?
26. I hesitate __________________ (suggest) any changes at this time.
27. George delayed ___________________ (write) the letter as long as possible.
28. I don't advise ___________________ (study) for very long periods of time.
29. He seems ___________________ (know) a great deal about that subject.
30. I resolved ___________________ (do) much better work in the future.
31. Did you forget ___________________ (give) Mr. Simmons that message?
32. She pretends ___________________ (understand) everything very clearly.
33. Miss Williams tends ___________________ (exaggerate) things a great deal.
34. The police failed ___________________ (notify) the man's relatives of the accident.
Write: Rewrite these sentences using a to-infinitive instead of that.
1. People know that he is an honest man. People know him to be an honest man.
2. I imagine that he works very hard..
3. I believe that she is guilty ..
4. I found that the job was too difficult
..
5. We discovered the claim was false
6. I know that she has an interest in the company..
Answer :
1 People know him to be an honest man.
2 I imagine him to work very hard.
3 I believe her to be guilty.
4 I found the job to be too difficult.
5 We discovered the claim to be false.
I know her to have an interest in the company
Write: Complete these sentences with the correct forms of the verbs in brackets.
D1 Preposition + '-ing'
1 He left without ............. paying .............. (pay) 3 Open it by ................................................... (pull)
2 Don't punish him for ............................ (shout) 4 She succeed after ................................again, (try)
D2 Adjective + preposition + '-ing'
1 I'm interested in
acting ...................... (act) 6 I was afraid of .............................. you. (disturb)
2 We're bored with.......................... cards, (play) 7 She's clever at ............................................. (sew)
3 I'm sorry for .................................... (complain) 8 I'm worried about ....................... the train, (miss)
4 He's fond of ............................................. (sail) 9 I'm surprised at ............................. you in. (find)
5 We're keen on ......................................... (ride) 10 You're very slow at ..................... (understand)
D3 Verb + preposition + '-ing'
1 I advise you against..doing that, (do)
9 Thank you for ......................................................(help)
2 She believes in ............................. hard, (work) 10 I apologize for ................................. (interrupt)
3 They accuse him of ............................... (steal)
11 Who'll compensate me for ........... time? (lose)
4 Excuse me for ............................ you. (disturb) 12 They charged him with .............. money, (steal)
5 I must congratulate you on ..................... (pass)
13 We aim at............. in this business, (succeed)
6 You can't blame me for ............................. (try)
14 I often dream about.............. you again, (see)
7 They insisted on................................... (enter)
15 Everything depends on ..................it right, (get)
8 I prevented them from .......................... (enter)
16 Begin by ...................................... nicely, (ask)
Answer:
D1 Preposition + '-ing'
1 paying 2 shouting 3 pulling 4 trying
D2 Adjective + preposition + '-ing'
1 acting 2 playing 3 complaining 4 sailing 5 riding 6 disturbing 7 sewing 8 missing 9 finding 10 understanding
D3 Verb + preposition + '-ing'
1 doing 2 working 3 stealing 4 disturbing 5 passing 6 trying 7 entering 8 entering
9 helping 10 interrupting 11 losing 12 stealing 13 succeeding 14 seeing 15 getting 16 asking

Write:

Put in the correct forms.

A CASE OF THE SHAKES!
It's hard (appreciate) 1 ..to appreciate .some of the problems of (play)2
in an orchestra, especially if you're not a musician. While the orchestra is busy (play)3 , all kinds of things
are going on. Recently, my friend John, a horn player, told me about his experiences (play)4
with the Philharmonic. One day, without even (whisper)5
a word, he got up in the middle of a
performance of The Marriage of Figaro' and moved to another seat. After the performance, the drummer,
who played behind him, insisted on (find)
6
out why John had moved. John said that he didn't object to (sit)
7
in front of the drummer: he was used to (sit)8
in this
position, but often, after a loud burst on the drums, he couldn't prevent his teeth from (rattle) 9 and
couldn't play the horn!

... a loud burst on the drums!

Answer: 1 to appreciate/appreciating 2 playing 3
playing 4 playing 5 whispering 6 finding 7 sitting 8 sitting 9 rattling
Write: Supply the correct forms (to-infinitive or -ing) of the verbs in brackets.
1a
I remember .....visiting....... Paris when I was very young, (visit)
1b
Please remember ............................. the door on your way out. (lock)
1c
Did you remember ............................. Jim last night? (phone)
2a
I shall never forget ............................. taken to see the Moscow State Circus, (be)
2b
Don't forget ............................. how many are coming on Saturday, (find out)
2c
I forgot ............................. to the chemist's on my way home, (go)
3a
We all tried ............................. him, but he just wouldn't listen to any of us. (stop)
3b
If you want to stop coughing, why don't you try ............................. some water? (drink)
4a
She got annoyed because her husband stopped . ............................ in every shop window, (look)
4b
Just stop ............................. and listen for a moment, (talk)
5a
If we hadn't turned the music off they'd have gone on ............................. till morning, (dance)
5b
She got a degree in Physics and then went on ............................. a course in Applied Maths, (take)
6a
I regret ............................. you that there's been an accident, (tell)
6b
He regretted ............................. in the same job for so long, (stay)
answer. 1c to phone 2a being 2b to find out 2c to go 3a to stop 3b drinking 4a to look 4b talking 5a dancing 5b to take 6a to tell
6b staying
Write: Put in the correct forms.
SNAP!
Postmen have stopped (deliver).1 ..delivering. letters to the new houses in our area. They object to the
letterboxes on the front doors. They hate (push) 2... letters through them, because the letterboxes snap shut.
If you try (push)3
,
a letter through, you can't get your fingers out! You try (push)4
a
letter into one of these boxes and see what happens! You quickly regret (have)5
tried! They have been designed to stop
burglars (open)6
your front door from the outside, but postmen dread (use)7
them as well. The painful condition known as Letterbox Finger is just as bad as Housemaid's Knee or
Tennis Elbow!
Letterbox Finger
Answer. 1 delivering 2 pushing 3 to push 4 pushing 5

having 6 opening 7 using

Write: Put in the correct forms.

A FLYING START!
Gillian Forbes is only 17 and she has just got her pilot's licence. She is the country's youngest girl pilot. 'How do you feel, Gillian?' I
asked her after her test. 'Wonderful!' Gillian cried. 'I enjoy (fly) 1 flying more than anything in the world. I can't imagine (let)2
a week pass without spending some of my time in the air.' 'What started (you/fly)3 ?' I asked. 'I just love (travel)4
in
planes. I started (learn)5
to fly when I was very young.' 'Would you consider (fly)6
as a career?' 'I
might, but I've got to pass my school exams now. There are some things you can't avoid (do)7
!' 'Excuse (me?/my?/ask) 8
,' I said, 'but does everyone in your family approve of (you?/your?/fly)9
?' 'Of course!,' Gillian exclaimed. 'I can't
imagine (anyone?/anyone's?/disapprove) 10
Can you?' 'Of course not!' I said. 'What's your greatest ambition now?' 'I want
to learn to drive a car!' Gillian said with a big smile.

I want to learn to drive a car!

Answer: 1 flying 2 letting 3 you flying 4 travelling 5
learning 6 flying 7 doing 8 me (or my) asking
9 your far you) flying? 10 anyone (or anyone's) disapproving

Write:

Put in the correct forms of the infinitive or -ing.

THIS WAY! THAT WAY!
In a split second, when no one was paying attention, the two prisoners escaped from the back of the police
van. They were handcuffed to each other. It was minutes before a policeman saw them (run) 1 ..running ..
down the street. 'We'll follow,' two policemen said. 'Have the driver (bring) 2 ,
the van to the end
of the road. Tell him (not let) 3. .
them get away. If we're not careful, we'll have the whole
neighbourhood (complain) 4.......
that
we've been careless.' The prisoners were still running side by side. The policemen
saw them (race)5
up the hill and (disappear)6
'
round a corner. 'We'll
never catch them now!' one of them said. 'I told you (not leave)7
' them unattended.' The
prisoners were running at top speed. Suddenly, they saw a lamp post in front of them 'Go left! Go right'
they each shouted at the same time. They ran on either side of the lamp post. It just took time for the police
(find) 8
them, lying on the pavement, unhurt, dazed, and with silly grins on their faces.

Go left! Go right!
answer :1 running 2 bring 3 not to let 4 complaining 5

race/racing 6 disappear/disappearing 7not to leave 8 to find

Write: Rewrite these sentences using a to-infinitive after the verbs.

1. I agreed that I would accept the offer. .. I agreed to accept the offer
2. I hope that I will succeed .
3. I expect that I will hear from you ..
4. He claimed that he had met me
.
5. I arranged that I should be there
6. She pretended that she didn't know me
Answer:
1. I agreed to accept the offer.
2. I hope to succeed.
3. I expect to tear from you.
4. He claimed to have met me.
5. I arranged to be there.
6. She pretended not to know me.