Gerunds and Infinitives

NO.

Uses

Examples

1

As noun/subject

(first word of the sentence)

1. Swimming (swim) is a good form of exercise.

2. Smoking (smoke) is bad for health.

2

After keywords:

after verbs: dislike, mind, stop, keep, enjoy, finish, no use, keep, prefer…to…, practice etc.

1. Do you mind passing (pass) me the pen?

2. We enjoyed listening (listen) to music.

3. John prefers singing (sing) to drawing (draw).

3

After preposition:

for, by, of, on, in, at etc.

1. They thanked him for saving (save) their lives.

2. Mike is interested in serving (serve) the poor.

4

After “In addition to, look forward to, accustomed to”

1. In addition to running (run) a print shop, he also ran a bookshop.

NO.

Uses

Examples

1

After keywords:

ought, used, be(is, am, are), has, have, want, offer, remember, forget, decide, manage, remind, allow, refuse, learn, agree, try, *dare, due etc.

1. She managed to finish (finish) her work in time.

2. She forgot to bring (bring) her book.

3. We ought to return (return) this to the owner immediately.

4. He dares to tell (tell) lies.

2

After adjectives:

disappointed, happy, sad, pleased etc.

1. I was happy to help (help) them.

2. It is easy to do (do).

3. You are too young to take (take) part in politics.

NO.

Uses

Examples

1

After modal verbs:

will, shall, would, should, can, could, may, might, must, cannot etc.

1. You must come (come).

2. We shall wait (wait).

3. The baby can walk (walk).

2

After rather, better, had better

1. I would rather wait (wait).

2. Better do (do) this again.

3

After verbs make or let

1. Please let me go (go).

2. They made me cry (cry).

4

After need not or dare not

1. She dare not buy (buy) the gold.

1. After verb like or love – gerunds or ‘to’ infinitive

e.g. Mary likes to drink/drinking (drink) orange juice.

2. need or dare è subject in front – ‘to’ infinitive

                object in front – gerunds

e.g. I need to do (do) my work.

   Your hair needs trimming (trim).

3. After five senses -- see, hear, watch, feel etc. – gerunds or bare infinitive

e.g. The police saw the robber shooting/shoot (shoot) the man.

4. After verb help – ‘to’ infinitive or bare infinitive

e.g. His wife and children help him to sell/sell (sell) fruit.