How to use Gerund
and infinitive – Examples and Exercises
The gerund (the -ing form
used as a noun) is used:
A - As the subject of a sentence:
• Swimming is
Dorothy's favourite sport.
B - After certain verbs, including
most verbs of liking and disliking.
C - After all prepositions, including
adjective-plus-preposition phrases, and verb patterns ending in a preposition:
• I'm tired of
not having a garden.
• He drove off
without looking in his rear mirror.
Remember that “to” has two uses. It can either
be used with the infinitive:
• They want to
pay the bill.
Or it can be a preposition, in which case it is
followed by the gerund:
• I'm looking
forward to seeing them.
• You'll soon get
used to not drinking coffee.
Object to, be/get
used to, look forward to, in addition to are all
followed by a noun or gerund.
D - after phrasal verbs:
• He went on peeling the potatoes.
E - after common expressions such as: It's
(not) worth, waste/spend time, burst out.
In formal English, possessives (my, her,
their, etc.) are used with the gerund:
• I hope you
don't mind my asking.
but in informal English the pronouns me, her,
them etc. are more common:
• I hope you
don't mind me asking.
The passive gerund can be used:
• I remember
being teased by my classmates at boarding school
The infinitive has several
forms.
To do:
• They hope to visit you.
To be doing (for a
continuous action):
• It's nice to be
leading such an exciting life.
To have done (for a completed
or past
action):
• We were sorry
to have missed you.
To have been doing (to stress the
frequency or length of the action):
• He appears to
have been making phone calls from the office every day.
The infinitive is used with to after certain verbs,
including ought, have, used, and be able.
Notice the position of not before to:
• Try not to
worry.
• He's determined
not to give in.
The infinitive is used without “to” after most modal
verbs, would rather, had better, let, *make, *see,
*hear, *feel, watch, notice, *help
(informally).
*lf these verbs are used in the passive, the
infinitive with “to” is used. Compare:
• I saw her take
the money.
• The champion
was seen to shake hands with his opponent.
Notice the very common It is + adjective + to +
infinitive:
• It is difficult
to understand what you mean.
• It was nice to
see you.
Also notice the construction object + to +
infinitive after certain verbs:
• I want you to
enjoy yourselves.
• She begged him
not to go.
The idea of purpose is usually expressed by to +
infinitive, in order to + infinitive or so as to + infinitive:
• He tiptoed
upstairs so as not to wake the children.
Notice: • I have work to do. • Nobody is to blame. •
The house is to let
The following verbs can be used with either the
gerund or the infinitive, depending on the meaning required:
A- Remember, forget, stop, go on, regret
B- interested in, interested to
C- try
D- need
E- used, be/get used to
F- like, enjoy, love, hate, prefer
G- allow, advise, forbid, permit
H- mean.
Exercise 1:
Correct the sentences if necessary. Tick any which are already correct.
1- They didn’t ask that I leave early.
2- The army made him to complete his training course.
3- I hope to drop in on you next time I’m in the area.
4- Try to don’t keep interrupting the speaker this
time.
5- It’s easier to learn a language in the country
where it’s spoken.
6- The doctor seems to have left a prescription here
for you.
7- I was delighted to receive your most appreciative
letter the other day.
8- In my view parents should not let their children to
watch too much television.
9- He enrolled at a language school in Pisa for learn
basic Italian.
10- It seems strange to be standing here, looking out
at Sydney Harbour.
11- She didn’t want that you go to all this trouble
for her.
12- No wonder he was sacked! He seems to have been
fiddling the accounts for years.
Exercise 2:
1- Humility means (be) able to admit you’re sometimes
wrong.
2- You will not be permitted (enter) the building
without the Chief Fire Officer’s permission.
3- I’d be interested (know) if the chair in
astrophysics is still vacant.
4- I’ll never forget (see) the factory chimney
collapse in a cloud of smoke and rubble.
5- Bankers advised the owners of the ailing theme park
(reduce) entry charges in a bid to attract more visitors.
6- All the report’s recommendations need (review) in
the light of the committee’s statements to the press.
7- The politician was accused of trying (stir up)
trouble in his constituency as a ploy to divert attention from his own affairs.
8- I don’t think my uncle will ever get used to (be)
at home all day instead of (go) out to work.
