Gerunds are verb forms ending in -ing that function as nouns. Infinitives are the base form of a verb preceded by to (to + verb). Both can be used after certain verbs, adjectives, and prepositions.
Gerund (-ing form):
• I enjoy reading books.
• Swimming is good exercise.
• She suggested going to the cinema.
Infinitive (to + verb):
• I want to learn English.
• It's important to arrive on time.
• She promised to help me.
📝 2. Gerunds (-ing forms)
✅ When to use Gerunds
• As the subject of a sentence: Smoking is bad for your health.
• After prepositions: Thank you for helping me.
• After certain verbs: I enjoy reading.
• After expressions: It's no use crying over spilt milk.
📝 3. Infinitives (to + verb)
✅ When to use Infinitives
• After certain verbs: I want to go home.
• To express purpose: I came here to study.
• After adjectives: It's easy to learn.
• After question words: I don't know what to do.
• After too/enough: It's too heavy to carry.
• I enjoy playing tennis.
• She avoided answering the question.
• They finished eating dinner.
• He suggested going to the beach.
• I don't mind waiting.
• I want to learn Spanish.
• She decided to move to London.
• They promised to call me.
• He needs to study harder.
• We hope to see you soon.
📝 6. Verbs that take both (meaning change)
📌 Remember / Forget
• Remember/Forget + gerund = past memory (remember doing something in the past)
• I remember locking the door. (I have a memory of doing it)
• He forgot meeting her. (He doesn't remember that event)
• Remember/Forget + infinitive = remember to do something (future obligation)
• Remember to lock the door. (Don't forget to do it)
• I forgot to call my mother. (I didn't do it)
📌 Stop
• Stop + gerund = cease an action
• I stopped smoking. (I no longer smoke)
• Stop + infinitive = pause to do something else
• I stopped to smoke a cigarette. (I paused what I was doing to smoke)
📌 Regret
• Regret + gerund = sorry about something in the past
• I regret saying that. (I wish I hadn't said it)
• Regret + infinitive = sorry to say (bad news)
• I regret to inform you that you failed.
📌 Try
• Try + gerund = experiment to see if it works
• I tried taking aspirin, but I still had a headache.
• Try + infinitive = make an effort
• I tried to open the window, but it was stuck.
📌 Go on
• Go on + gerund = continue doing the same thing
• He went on talking for hours.
• Go on + infinitive = do something next
• After his speech, he went on to answer questions.
📝 7. Gerund as Subject
• Smoking is bad for your health.
• Reading improves your vocabulary.
• Exercising regularly is important.
• Learning a new language takes time.
• Being on time is important.
📝 8. Gerund after Prepositions
• Thank you for helping me.
• I'm interested in learning Japanese.
• She is afraid of flying.
• He apologized for being late.
• They insisted on paying for dinner.
• I look forward to seeing you.
• She is good at solving problems.
💬 9. Examples by Category (100+ Examples)
📌 Verbs + Gerund (25 examples)
1. I enjoy reading mystery novels.
2. She avoided answering the question.
3. They finished eating dinner at 8 PM.
4. He suggested going to the beach.
5. I don't mind waiting for you.
6. She admitted making a mistake.
7. They denied stealing the money.
8. He considered quitting his job.
9. I delayed making a decision.
10. She discussed moving to another city.
11. They dislike getting up early.
12. He imagined living in Paris.
13. She kept talking during the movie.
14. They mentioned seeing you at the mall.
15. He missed being with his family.
16. She postponed going to the dentist.
17. They practiced speaking English.
18. He quit smoking last year.
19. She recalled meeting him before.
20. They recommended staying at that hotel.
21. He regretted saying those words.
22. She resisted eating more dessert.
23. They risked losing everything.
24. He tolerated being treated poorly.
25. She understands needing some space.
📌 Verbs + Infinitive (25 examples)
26. I want to learn Spanish.
27. She decided to move to London.
28. They promised to call me.
29. He needs to study harder.
30. We hope to see you soon.
31. She agreed to help me.
32. He refused to answer the question.
33. They planned to travel abroad.
34. I expect to finish by Friday.
35. She offered to drive me home.
36. He managed to pass the exam.
37. They deserve to win the prize.
38. I can't afford to buy a new car.
39. She appears to be happy.
40. He claims to know the truth.
41. They continue to work hard.
42. I failed to understand the problem.
43. She hesitated to ask for help.
44. He intends to apply for the job.
45. They learned to speak French.
46. I prepared to give a presentation.
47. She pretended to be asleep.
48. He tends to arrive late.
49. They volunteered to clean the park.
50. I wish to express my gratitude.
📌 Gerund as Subject (15 examples)
51. Smoking is bad for your health.
52. Reading improves your vocabulary.
53. Exercising regularly is important.
54. Learning a new language takes time.
55. Being on time is important.
56. Cooking is my favorite hobby.
57. Traveling broadens the mind.
58. Sleeping eight hours is recommended.
59. Eating vegetables is healthy.
60. Saving money is a good habit.
61. Helping others feels good.
62. Lying is wrong.
63. Cheating is unacceptable.
64. Working hard pays off.
65. Wasting time is unproductive.
📌 Gerund after Prepositions (15 examples)
66. Thank you for helping me.
67. I'm interested in learning Japanese.
68. She is afraid of flying.
69. He apologized for being late.
70. They insisted on paying for dinner.
71. I look forward to seeing you.
72. She is good at solving problems.
73. He is tired of waiting.
74. They are thinking about moving.
75. I believe in helping others.
76. She succeeded in passing the test.
77. He dreams of becoming a pilot.
78. They accused him of stealing.
79. I'm used to waking up early.
80. She prevented me from leaving.
📌 Verbs with Meaning Change (20 examples)
Remember:
81. I remember locking the door. (I have a memory of doing it)
82. Remember to lock the door. (Don't forget to do it)
Forget:
83. I'll never forget meeting you. (I will always remember that event)
84. Don't forget to call me. (Don't fail to do it)
Stop:
85. I stopped smoking. (I quit)
86. I stopped to smoke. (I paused to smoke)
Regret:
87. I regret telling him the truth. (I wish I hadn't)
88. I regret to inform you that you failed. (formal apology)
Try:
89. I tried taking aspirin. (experiment)
90. I tried to open the window. (make an effort)
Go on:
91. He went on talking for hours. (continued)
92. After the break, he went on to discuss the next topic. (proceeded to next)
❌ 10. Common Mistakes
Mistake
Correction
❌ I enjoy to read books.
✅ I enjoy reading books.
❌ She wants learn English.
✅ She wants to learn English.
❌ I stopped to smoke cigarettes. (meaning: quit)
✅ I stopped smoking cigarettes.
❌ I stopped smoking to have a break. (meaning: pause to smoke)
✅ I stopped to smoke a cigarette.
❌ I look forward to see you.
✅ I look forward to seeing you.
⚠️ Important Rules to Remember:
1. Some verbs are followed ONLY by gerund (enjoy, finish, avoid, mind, practice, suggest).
2. Some verbs are followed ONLY by infinitive (want, need, decide, hope, plan, promise).
3. After prepositions, always use a gerund (interested in + -ing, afraid of + -ing).
4. Some verbs change meaning depending on gerund or infinitive (stop, remember, forget, regret, try).
✍️ 11. Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Choose gerund or infinitive
1. I enjoy ______ (read) books.
2. She wants ______ (learn) Spanish.
3. They finished ______ (eat) dinner.
4. He promised ______ (call) me.
5. I don't mind ______ (wait).
Exercise 2: Fill in the correct form
1. I remember ______ (lock) the door. (memory)
2. Remember ______ (lock) the door. (don't forget)
3. I stopped ______ (smoke) last year. (quit)
4. I stopped ______ (smoke) a cigarette. (pause)
5. She is afraid of ______ (fly).
6. I look forward to ______ (see) you.
7. He suggested ______ (go) to the beach.
8. They decided ______ (move) to London.
Exercise 3: Correct the mistakes
1. I enjoy to read books. → ____________________
2. She wants learn English. → ____________________
3. I stopped to smoke cigarettes. (meaning quit) → ____________________
4. I look forward to see you. → ____________________
5. He suggested to go to the beach. → ____________________
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1.What is the difference between a gerund and an infinitive?▼
A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that functions as a noun (I enjoy swimming). An infinitive is 'to + base verb' that can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb (I want to swim). Some verbs can be followed by both with different meanings.
Q2.How do I know whether to use a gerund or infinitive after a verb?▼
You need to memorize which verbs are followed by gerunds (enjoy, finish, avoid, mind, practice) and which are followed by infinitives (want, need, decide, hope, plan). There are also verbs that can take both (stop, remember, forget, regret, try) with different meanings.
Q3.What is the difference between 'stop doing' and 'stop to do'?▼
'Stop doing' means to cease an action (I stopped smoking). 'Stop to do' means to pause one action in order to do another (I stopped to smoke a cigarette).