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Infinitive vs. Gerund Usage Guide

This document discusses the differences between infinitives and gerunds in English. It provides examples of when to use full infinitives, bare infinitives, and gerunds (-ing forms). Full infinitives are used after verbs like want, decide, promise. Bare infinitives follow modal verbs like can, will. Gerunds are used as nouns or after verbs like enjoy, risk. Certain verbs like try, stop, and remember/forget have different meanings depending on if they are followed by an infinitive or gerund.

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196 views8 pages

Infinitive vs. Gerund Usage Guide

This document discusses the differences between infinitives and gerunds in English. It provides examples of when to use full infinitives, bare infinitives, and gerunds (-ing forms). Full infinitives are used after verbs like want, decide, promise. Bare infinitives follow modal verbs like can, will. Gerunds are used as nouns or after verbs like enjoy, risk. Certain verbs like try, stop, and remember/forget have different meanings depending on if they are followed by an infinitive or gerund.

Uploaded by

yusuf
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Infinitive and Gerund

Full infinitive
Bare infinitive
Gerund

When do we use full infinitive?


To

express a purpose:
We went to the countryside to see my uncle.
After it + be + adjective
It was rude of him to speak like that.
After the first/second/last/best, etc
You wont be the first to break the rules.
After adjectives: afraid, surprised, free, happy,
ready, sorry...
I am happy to hear that you have been
promoted.
After too and enough
It is too late to go now. She is experienced
enough to give advice.

After

certain verbs: want, would like,


would love, hope, decide, manage, plan,
arrange, advise, choose, learn, offer,
promise, afford, agree, expect, seem,
forget, teach, need, try, tell, refuse,
remember, appear, tend,
I would like to buy a hamburger.
After the objects of certain verbs (advise,
allow, encourage, invite, order, persuade,
teach, tell, etc.)
The minister advised him to leave as
soon as possible.
After question words (how, what, when,
where, etc. but not why)
I dont know how to play chess.

When do we use bare


infinitive?
After

modal verbs (can, could, will, would,


should, may, might, must)
Can you pass me the salt, please?

After

the verbs let and make (in the


active voice).
Please let me go. I have an important meeting.

After

would rather and had better

He doesnt want to learn hed rather stay at


home and play video games.
help

sb. (to) do sth.

Can you help me find my glasses?

When do we use gerund (-ing


forms) ?

as a noun (subject or object of a verb)


Collecting stamps is his favourite hobby.
after the verb go, indicating physical activities.
Lets go fishing!
after certain verbs: like, love, hate, enjoy, prefer,
suggest, start, finish, continue, keep, stop, begin, avoid,
imagine, spend (time), risk, consider, etc.
He enjoys making fun of his little brother.
after certain expressions : dont mind, cant stand, be
interested in, its worth, How/What about ?, I look
forward to, be good at, its no use, its no good, theres
no point (in), be used to, etc.
She doesnt mind working long hours.
after prepositions
You cannot go out without asking me first.

Verbs followed by full infinitive and ing form (change in meaning)

try
remember
forget
stop

REMEMBER/FORGET/REGRE
T:
+ INFINITIVE Future
+ -ing Past

Examples:

I remember going to dance classes when I


was a child. (I remember a past event)
Remember to revise the questions before
sitting for the exam. (Do it)
My grandmother forgot to lock the door
when she left the house. (She didnt lock the
door)

I will never forget going to Bar Mano


concert years ago. (I cant forget that memory)

STOP:
+ ING NO (dont do that anymore)
+ INFINITIVE YES (do it, indeed)
Examples:
You have to stop eating after 09.00p.m.
After five hours of hard work we stopped
to have a rest. (We stopped work to have a
rest)

TRY:

+ING experiment
+ INFINITIVE make an effort

Examples:
I tried to open the door but I
couldnt.
Why dont you try using this key?

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