What Are Gerunds and Infinitives?
Gerund = verb + -ing
Example: working, swimming, reading
Infinitive = to + base verb
Example: to work, to swim, to read
When Do We Use Gerunds?
After certain verbs showing feelings or states
She likes cooking dinner every night.
They hate waiting in traffic.
After prepositions
Are you interested in learning Spanish?
He is afraid of flying.
As the subject of a sentence
Running helps me relax.
Swimming is good exercise.
In compound nouns
I bought new fishing rods.
They installed a parking lot.
After some expressions
I can’t stand listening to loud music.
It’s no use crying over spilled milk.
After movement verbs
We like to go hiking on weekends.
She came running when she heard the news.
After phrasal verbs
He gave up smoking last year.
She put off meeting him.
When Do We Use Infinitives?
As the subject of a sentence (sometimes)
To travel is my dream.
To learn a new language takes time.
To show intention or desire
I want to start a new hobby.
They hope to visit Japan next year.
To explain how something can be used
I need a book to read.
Do you want something to drink?
After adjectives
It’s nice to meet you.
I’m happy to help.
After “too” and “enough”
It’s too cold to go outside.
She’s tall enough to reach the shelf.
After expressions like would like, would love, would hate
I would like to learn guitar.
She would hate to miss the concert.
After “to” or question words
I don’t know where to find it.
Can you tell me how to get there?
Bare Infinitive (without “to”)
Use the base verb (bare infinitive) after:
Modal verbs (can, must, should)
You must finish your homework.
She can drive a car.
Make and let
Don’t make me wait!
Let’s go now.
Had better
You had better call her.
Why (in questions)
Why leave so early?
When Gerund and Infinitive Both Work (with meaning changes)
I love to watch movies. = I love watching movies. (same meaning)
I stopped to smoke. = I stopped what I was doing to smoke.
I stopped smoking. = I quit smoking.
I forgot to lock the door. = I didn’t lock the door.
I forgot locking the door. = I don’t remember locking the door.
How to Form Gerunds
Add -ing to the base verb:
jump → jumping
read → reading
read → reading
Rules:
Double last consonant if one syllable, vowel before consonant:
run → running
sit → sitting
sit → sitting
Double last consonant if last syllable stressed in multisyllable words:
begin → beginning
admit → admitting
admit → admitting
Don’t double if two vowels before last consonant:
read → reading
clean → cleaning
clean → cleaning
Drop “e” before adding -ing:
make → making
write → writing
write → writing
Change “ie” to “y”:
lie → lying
die → dying
die → dying
Add “k” if ends with “c”:
panic → panicking
picnic → picnicking
picnic → picnicking
Verbs Commonly Followed by Gerunds
(admit, avoid, enjoy, finish, keep, miss, suggest…)
She avoids eating junk food.
We enjoy playing tennis.
He keeps calling me every day.
They suggest going earlier.
Verbs Commonly Followed by Infinitives
(agree, decide, expect, hope, learn, plan, promise…)
I agree to help you.
She decided to leave early.
We hope to arrive soon.
He plans to buy a new car.
