Gerunds and infinitives

When a verb follows another verb, the second verb can be:

• An infinitive = to+verb / verb

Example: to work/ work

• A gerund= verb + ingExample: working

The to infinitve

• It is used after the following verbs:AFFORD, AGREE, ARRANGE, CHOOSE, DECIDE,

EXPECT, HOPE, LEARN, MANAGE, NEED, OFFER, PLAN, PROMISE, REFUSE, SEEM, USED

TO, VOLUNTEER, WANTEg. They chose to buy a house. We want to cook something delicious. Lily is learning to drive.

The infinitive without to

• After modals and auxiliary verbs.Eg. I must buy a new pair of trousers. He may have some problems. We don’t like pineapple ice cream.

Gerund

• As the subject of a sentenceEg. Smoking is bad for your health. listening to music is relaxing.• After prepositions and phrasal verbsEg. What do you think about going to school? I’d like to take up cooking.

After certain expressions:

• Can´t help: I can´t help thinking of you all the

time.• It´s no use: It´s no use complaining to the

manager.• It is (isn’t) worth: It isn´t worth visiting that place.• Be used to/ Get used to I am not used to getting up so

early.• Look forward to I look forward to seeing you soon.

After certain verbs:

• ADORE / AVOID / CONSIDER / CONTINUE / DELAY / DENY / MIND / ENJOY / FINISH / IMAGINE / KEEP / MISS / POSTPONE / RISK / SUGGEST ...

• Eg. I don’t mind lending you some money. We miss going to the beach on vacation. She finished doing her homework.

GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

• Some verbs can be followed either by a gerund or a to infinitive without any change in their meaning in the simple present or past

tenses : BEGIN / START / LIKE / LOVE / ADORE /

PREFER / HATEEg. I like cooking dinner for my family I like to cook dinner for my family