What Are Gerunds and Infinitives?

In English, verbs can change their form to function differently in a sentence. Two common forms are gerunds and infinitives.

• A gerund is the -ing form of a verb that acts like a noun. It can be the subject or object of a sentence.
• An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by ‘to’. It often expresses purpose or follows certain verbs and adjectives.

When Do We Use Gerunds?

We use gerunds in several situations. They are very common in B2 English.

• As the subject of a sentence: The gerund acts as the main topic. Swimming is good exercise.
• After prepositions: This is a very important rule. Any verb that follows a preposition must be in the gerund form. I'm interested in learning English.
• After certain verbs: Many verbs are directly followed by a gerund. Some common examples include:
  • Verbs of liking/disliking: enjoy, love, like, hate, dislike, can't stand, detest, don't mind
  • Other common verbs: avoid, finish, give up, keep, miss, suggest, consider, imagine, practice, recommend
• After specific expressions: Phrases like it's no use, there's no point (in), it's worth, feel like are followed by a gerund. It's no use crying over spilled milk.

When Do We Use Infinitives?

Infinitives also have specific uses in English grammar.

• To express purpose: The infinitive explains 'why' someone does something. She studies to pass the exam.
• After certain verbs: Many verbs are followed by an infinitive. Some common examples include:
  • agree, decide, hope, plan, promise, refuse, want, wish, learn, manage, offer, pretend
• After adjectives: When an adjective describes a feeling or quality, it is often followed by an infinitive. It's easy to understand. I'm happy to help.
• After question words: We often use infinitives after question words like what, where, when, how (but not why). I don't know what to do.
• After too and enough: These words are used with infinitives to talk about sufficiency or excess. It's too cold to swim. He's tall enough to reach the shelf.

Verbs Followed by Both Gerunds and Infinitives (Different Meanings)

Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning of the sentence changes. This is a key point for B2 learners.

• Stop:
  • Stop + gerund means to cease an activity. I stopped smoking. (I don't smoke anymore.)
  • Stop + infinitive means to pause an activity in order to do something else. I stopped to smoke. (I paused what I was doing to have a cigarette.)
• Remember/Forget:
  • Remember/Forget + gerund refers to a memory of a past event. I remember meeting him before.
  • Remember/Forget + infinitive refers to a duty or an action you need to do. Remember to lock the door.
• Try:
  • Try + gerund means to experiment with something. Try adding more salt. (See if it improves the taste.)
  • Try + infinitive means to make an effort to do something difficult. I tried to open the jar. (It was difficult.)
• Regret:
  • Regret + gerund means to feel sorry about something you did in the past. I regret telling her the secret.
  • Regret + infinitive is used to give bad news politely. We regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful.

Verbs Followed by Both Gerunds and Infinitives (Similar Meanings)

For some verbs, you can use either a gerund or an infinitive with little or no change in meaning. This often applies to verbs of liking and disliking, especially when talking about general preferences.

• Like, love, hate, prefer: I like swimming. / I like to swim.
• Begin, start, continue: It started raining. / It started to rain.

While often interchangeable, the infinitive can sometimes sound slightly more formal or refer to a specific instance, while the gerund refers to the activity in general.

Examples

• Learning English requires patience.
• She decided to study abroad next year.
• I'm good at playing the guitar.
• He wants to travel the world.
• They avoided talking about the problem.
• It's important to listen carefully.
• Do you fancy going to the cinema tonight?
• I forgot to buy milk.
• I'll never forget visiting Paris for the first time.
• She continued working despite the noise.

Practice

Common mistakes for Spanish speakers

Spanish speakers often make specific mistakes with gerunds and infinitives due to differences between English and Spanish grammar.

• Using an infinitive after a preposition: In Spanish, you often use an infinitive after a preposition. In English, you must use a gerund.
  Incorrect: I'm thinking about to travel.
  Correct: I'm thinking about traveling.
• Confusing verbs that take gerunds vs. infinitives: It's common to mix up which form follows certain verbs. For example, using an infinitive after enjoy.
  Incorrect: I enjoy to read.
  Correct: I enjoy reading.
• Incorrectly using stop, remember, or forget: The change in meaning for these verbs can be tricky. Ensure you choose the correct form to convey your intended message.
  Incorrect: I stopped to smoke for five years. (This means you paused to smoke, not that you quit.)
  Correct: I stopped smoking for five years.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between a gerund and an infinitive?

The main difference is their function. A gerund (-ing form) acts like a noun, referring to an activity or concept. An infinitive (to + base verb) often expresses purpose, an intention, or follows certain verbs and adjectives.

How can I remember which verb to use?

Practice is key! Try to learn common verbs that take gerunds and common verbs that take infinitives in groups. Pay special attention to prepositions, which are always followed by gerunds. Create example sentences for each rule and review them regularly.

Are there any verbs that always take a gerund?

Yes, many verbs are always followed by a gerund. Examples include enjoy, finish, avoid, suggest, mind, consider, imagine, deny, postpone, risk, and many phrasal verbs like give up or keep on.

Are gerunds and infinitives tested in the B2 First exam?

Absolutely! Gerunds and infinitives are frequently tested in the B2 First (FCE) exam, particularly in the Use of English paper (Parts 2, 3, and 4). You might need to complete sentences, transform them, or choose the correct verb form in multiple-choice questions.

Related lessons

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