1. Subject of sentences 3. Verb after verbs 5.

Verbs after prepositions

2. Object of sentences 4. Change in meaning
verb.















4. Change in meaning: With some verbs, both forms are possible but a difference in meaning is
implied.
a. Remember
doing something: I did it and now I remember this (after doing something)
Ex: I know I locked the door. I clearly remember locking it.

to do something: I remembered that I had to do something (before doing something)
Ex: I remembered to lock the door but I forgot to shut the window.

b. Need
doing: it needs to be done
Ex. The batteries in the radio need changing

I need to do something: It is necessary for me to do it.
Ex. I need to take more exercise.

c. Regret
doing something: I did it and now I am sorry about it
Ex: I regret saying what I said. I shouldnt have said it.

to do something: I am sorry that I have to say
Ex: We regret to inform you that we cannot offer you the work

d. Try
doing something: try something as an experiment or test. (Suggestions).
Ex. The photocopier is not working. Try pressing the green button.

to do something: make an effort.
Ex: I was very tired. I tried to keep my eyes open, but I couldnt.

5. Verbs after prepositions: when a verb is preceded by a preposition (of, on, at, etc), we use gerunds.
Ex: Sam was tired of waking up early every morning.
Consider Deny Arrange Decide
Enjoy Fancy Help Hope
Finish Give up Manage Promise
Miss Practice Refuse Want
Put off Risk Plan Fail
Imagine Dont mind Learn Forget
TO INFINITIVE

1. Subject of sentences: When we refer to verbs as activities, we use gerunds.
Ex: Working with children can become an exhausting labour.
Meeting my friends is one of the activities I enjoy the most.

2. Object of sentences: When the object of a sentence is a verb, we use gerunds.
Ex: Charles hates walking his dog in winter. (what does he hate? walking his dog. Therefore, walking his
dog is the object of the sentence.)

3. Verb after verbs: Second verb will take the form of a gerund or to infinitive depending on the first
Gerund or To Infinitive ?
VERB + GERUND VERB + TO INFINITIVE
Avoid Cant stand Afford Agree
GERUND
VERB VERB

Remember that we use gerunds and to infinitive forms in different situations.
We have learnt the following ones:
agree
aim
appear
arrange
ask
attempt
be able
beg
begin
care
choose
condescend
consent
continue
dare
decide
deserve
detest
dislike
expect
prepare
proceed
promise
propose
refuse
remember
say
shoot
start
stop
strive
swear
threaten
try
use
wait
want
wish
fail
forget
get
happen
have
hesitate
hope
hurry
intend
leap
leave
like
long
love
mean
neglect
offer
ought
plan
prefer
permit
persuade
prepare
promise
remind
require
send
teach
tell
urge
want
warn
forbid
force
have
hire
instruct
invite
lead
leave
let
like
love
motivate
order
pay
Verb Lists: Infinitives and Gerunds
Verbs Followed by an Infinitive






approve of
argue about
believe in
care about
complain about
concentrate on
confess to
plan on
prevent (someone) from
refrain from
succeed in
talk about
think about
worry about

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


Verbs Followed by a Gerund

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)
Exercises


1. He tried to avoid ________________ (answer) my question.
Complete each sentence with the most suitable verb in either gerund or to infinitive.
2. Im still looking for a job but I hope ________________ (find) something soon.
3. I enjoy ________________ (listening) to music.
4. Dont forget ________________ (post) the letter I gave you.
5. I considered ________________ (apply) for the job, but in the end I decided against it.
6. There was a lot of traffic but we managed ________________ (arrive) to the airport in time.
7. Jill has decided not ________________ (drive) a car.
8. Have you finished ________________ (read) the newspaper yet?
9. We need to change our routine. We cant keep on ________________ (live) like this.
10. I dont mind ________________ (lend) you the phone as long as you pay for all your calls.



If somebody calls, please remember to take a message.
I remember seeing that film. I cant remember the ending though!
You wont regret doing this exercise. Itll help you master these troublesome verbs.

Add the gerund or infinitive form of the verb in brackets.

1. We had to stay indoors all day as it wouldnt stop ____________ (rain).

2. Leo prohibited his son ____________ (go) to the rock concert

3. A: Do you know how this coffee machine works?
B: Ive no idea. Have you tried ____________ (press) the green button?

4. Although we gave the baby more milk she went on ____________ (cry).

5. The travel guide advised his group ____________ (not / drink) water from the
hotel taps. He also strongly advised ____________ (put on) plenty of insect repellent
before going out in the evening.

6. To get to the zoo from here you need ____________ (take) the number 10
bus and remember ____________ (get off) at the third stop.

7. Dont forget ____________ (check) your essays before you hand them
in reminded the teacher.

8. Jack has never regretted ____________ (move) to Brazil, although it
meant ____________ (leave) behind family and wonderful friends.

9. After visiting the museum we stopped ____________ (have) a quick snack.

10. Your shirt needs ____________ (iron). Its really creased.

11. Can you lend me some money? I meant ____________ (go) to the cashpoint
this morning but I forgot.

12. I tried ____________ (remember) the Spanish for post office but in the
end I needed ____________ (check) my phrase book.

13. We regret ____________ (inform) you that the hotel will be closed for
renovation until April.

14. Despite being asked several times to be quiet, Tim went on ____________ (talk).

15. Virginias never going to forget ____________ (swim) with sharks in Hawaii. It was a
such a thrill. In fact shes now trying ____________ (persuade) her husband to go too.




GERUND OR INFINITIVE?
(Remember / Forget / Stop / Regret / Try etc)

The gerund

Gerund and infinitive

Put the verbs in brackets into the gerund.
1. Stop ____________ (argue) and start ____________ (work).
2. The children prefer ____________ (watch) TV to _________ (read).
3. I am against ____________ (make) any complaints.
4. I suggest ____________ (hold) another meeting next week.
5. We are looking forward to ____________ (read) your new book.
6. He is thinking of _________ (leave) his job and _________ (go) to America.
7. If you put your money into that business you risk ____________ (lose) every penny.
8. Is there anything here worth ____________ (buy)?
9. You'd better consult your lawyer before _______________ (decide) to buy the property.
10. By _________ (work) day and night he succeeded in ____________ (finish) the job in time.

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form (gerund or infinitive).

1. My mother told me ____________ (not speak) to anyone about it.

2. I can't understand her ____________ (behave) like that.
3. He tried ____________ (explain) but she refused _______________ (listen).
4. You are expected _______________ (know) the safety regulations of the college.
5. I am prepared _______________ (wait) here all night if necessary.
6. Would you mind ____________ (show) me how ____________ (work) the lift?
7. I am beginning _______________ (understand) what you mean.
8. I regret __________________ (inform) you that your application has been refused.
9. He wore dark glasses _______________ (avoid) ______________ (be) recognized.
10. I tried _______________ (persuade) him ____________ (agree) with your proposal.