Infinitive and Gerund
There are certain words in English that are usually followed by an infinitive or gerund. If you are not sure whether to use the infinitive or gerund, check out our lists or look the words up in a dictionary.
Infinitive
Use
Certain words are followed by an infinite verb with or without ‘to’.
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Use and Word Lists
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Example
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To know you is to love you.
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Why not go to the cinema?
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I can swim.
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He wants to swim.
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They don’t know how to swim.
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He made her swim.
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They wanted him to swim.
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It’s easier to swim downstream.
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We made a promise to swim. (derived from the verb ‘to promise’)
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Gerund
Form
ing form of the verb
Use
Certain words are followed by an Ing-Form.
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Use and Word Lists
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Example
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as the subject of a clause
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Cycling is good for your health.
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He’s afraid of going by plane.
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Before going to bed he turned off the lights.
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I enjoy cooking.
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I am looking forward to seeing you again.
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We had problems finding our way back home.
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Words followed either by Infinitive or Ing-Form
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Use and Word Lists
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Example
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I started to read. / I started reading.
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She forbids us to talk. / She forbids talking.
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He stopped to smoke. / He stopped smoking.
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I saw him go up the stairs. / I saw him going up the stairs.
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Exercises:
1. Can I help you ……………………… (do) that job?
2. Tom forgot ………………… (post) the letters.
3. I must remember …………. (call) him tomorrow.
4. Why does she always put off ………….. (go) to the dentist?
5. I’m tired of ……….. (study) history.
6. Fİnally Mary admitted ………… (kill) her husband.
Key:
1.to do 2. posing/to post 3. to call 4. going 5. studing 6. killing
