Gerund or Infinitive as Object of Verb?

FORM * MEANING * FUNCTIONS

OBJECTS OF VERBS: gerund or infinitive * gerund only * infinitive only * other

QUIZ * practice

Gerunds and infinitives can both be used as subjects, subject complements, and direct
objects of verbs. The choice of whether to use a gerund or infinitive as a subject, subject
complement, or object of some verbs is left to the speaker/writer. This choice can
indicate shades of meaning.
But the choice between which to use as a direct object is sometimes dictated by the
verb, leaving no choice. Which verbs can be followed by gerunds, which by infinitives,
(and which by either) must be memorized. In addition, some verbs require that an
infinitive object have a different subject (agent) from that of the first verb, for others no
other agent is possible, and for some both are possible. Again, these must be
memorized. The general meanings associated with gerunds and infinitives can offer
clues, but do not always predict which forms are possible.
Remember, the question here concerns verbs which control gerunds and infinitives as their objects. Of
course, both infinitives and gerunds can follow an unlimited number of verbs for other reasons. For
example, infinitives can also follow verbs to show purpose, in reduced adjective or adverb clauses, or
with other meanings. Gerunds with noun modifiers can be the objects of many different verbs. And
present participles, which may look like gerunds, are not controlled by preceding verbs. And remember
that noun clauses can also be used as objects of many of these same verbs

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VERBS THAT CAN HAVE INFINITIVE OR GERUND OBJECTS,
with little or no difference in meaning:
____ studying.
____ to study.
can afford
can't bear
begin

cease
commence
continue

dread
hate
like

loathe
love
neglect

prefer
propose
(can't) stand

start
undertake

VERBS THAT CAN HAVE GERUND OBJECTS, BUT NOT INFINITIVES:

(usually actual events, often past)
_____ (his) studying
gerund subjects (agents) are usually possessive (his , etc.)

admit
anticipate
appreciate
avoid

deny
detest
discuss
dislike

get through
give up
go on
can't help

mention
(not) mind
miss
postpone

recollect
recommend
report
resent

stop
suggest
take up
tolerate

complete
consider
defend
delay

enjoy
escape
excuse his
finish

imagine
involve
keep (on)
would like
(him)

practice
put off
quit
recall

resist
resume
risk
(can't) see

understand

VERBS THAT CAN HAVE INFINITIVE OBJECTS, BUT NOT GERUNDS:

(often suggesting a potential or unreal event)
_______ to study
him = infinitive must have a subject (agent)
for him = infinitive must have a subject introduced by for
(him) or (for him) = subject (agent) of infinitive is optional
(none of the above = verb is followed directly by the infinitive)

agree
command
aim
him
appear
condescend
appoint him consent
arrange (for convince
him)
him
authorize him dare (him)
ask (him)
decide
beg (him)
demand
(not) care
deserve
cause him
desire
challenge
direct him
him
enable him
choose (him) endeavor
claim
expect (him)

long
manage
fail
motivate
force him
him
get (him)
need (him)
happen
oblige him
hesitate
offer
hire him
order him
help him
pay him
hope
persuade
instruct him
him
intend
plan
invite him
prepare
lead him
(him)
learn
pretend
proceed

VERBS THAT CAN HAVE INFINITIVE

promise
refuse
remind him
resolve
seem
select him
send him
strive
struggle
swear
tell him
tend
threaten

train him
trust him
volunteer
vow
wait (for him)
want (him)
warn him
wish (him)
yearn

OR GERUND OBJECTS,

but with a difference in meaning:

attempt
forget
mean
regret
remember
try

________ studying
actual:

________ to study.
potential:

first it happens; then there is

mental activity)

first there is mental activity about a

possible future event)

do it, hoping for success

do it, then have a mental
lapse
it exists, it has a
significance
do it, then feel bad
do it, then be aware of it
do it, hoping for success

make an effort, hoping to do it

have a mental lapse, and therefore
not do it
have an intention to do it
feel bad, but then do it
think about it, and then do it
make an effort, hoping to do it

VERBS THAT CAN HAVE INFINITIVE OBJECTS

WITH

AGENTS, OR GERUNDS :
_______ studying
___ him to study
advise
allow

encourage
forbid

permit

require

teach

urge

Principles of Composition

Verb Lists: Infinitives

and Gerunds
Verbs Followed by an Infinitive
She agreed to speak before the game.
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

offer
ought
plan
prefer
prepare
proceed
promise
propose
refuse
remember
say

shoot
start
stop
strive
swear
threaten
try
use
wait
want
wish

Verbs Followed by an Object and an Infinitive

Everyone expected her to win.
advise
allow
ask
beg
bring
build
buy
challenge

choose
command
dare
direct
encourage
expect
forbid
force

have
hire
instruct
invite
lead
leave
let
like

love
motivate
order
pay
permit
persuade
prepare
promise

remind
require
send
teach
tell
urge
want
warn

Note: Some of these verbs are included in the list above

and may be used without an object.

Verbs Followed by a Gerund

They enjoyed working on the boat.

admit
advise
appreciate
avoid
can't help
complete
consider

delay
deny
detest
dislike
enjoy
escape
excuse

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
approve of
argue about
believe in
care about
complain about
concentrate on
confess to

depend on
disapprove of
discourage from
dream about
feel like
forget about
insist on
object to

plan on
prevent (someone) from
refrain from
succeed in
talk about
think about
worry about