How to use Gerund and infinitive | Examples and Exercises

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.