The document provides information on when to use infinitives and gerunds in English. It explains that infinitives are used to express purpose or intent, and are commonly used after certain verbs and adjectives. Gerunds are used as subjects or objects, after prepositions, and after verbs expressing likes/dislikes. Some verbs like remember, forget, regret can take either an infinitive or gerund depending on whether they refer to past or future actions. The document concludes with examples practicing the use of infinitives versus gerunds.
4. to express purpose
(answering the question WHY?)
I’m saving up to buy a present for my sister.
She’s going to the gym to lose weight.
5. INFINITIVE with to is used…
after some adjectives
surprised, delighted, disappointed, easy,
happy, important, lucky, necessary, normal,
possible
I was delighted to hear she finally got the job.
It is normal to feel nervous before an exam.
It is easy to find a parking spot at this time of the day.
6. INFINITIVE with to is used…
after certain verbs
agree, afford, appear, arrange, ask, choose,
decide, deserve, expect, help, hesitate, hope,
learn, manage, need, offer, prepare,
pretend, promise, refuse, seem, want
He decided to stay for some more days.
She refused to go to the new dentist.
They deserve to win the competition
She seems to be happy today.
7. INFINITIVE with TOO and
ENOUGH
too + adjective + infinitive
She is too young to vote.
Adjective + enough + infinitive
They are old enough to vote.
8. Use the INFINITIVE without TO…
(bare infinitive)
■ After modal verbs
She may be clever but she is mot very friendly
■ With some other verbs like make and let
Javier made Pablo cry
Let me know if you don’t understand
10. GERUND is used…
as the subject or complement of
a clause or sentence
• Smoking makes me feel dizzy.
• My favourite sport is swimming.
11. GERUND is used…
after prepositions
She’s not interested in getting married.
I’m not very good at driving.
12. GERUND is used…
verbs expressing likes and dislikes:
Like, love, adore, hate, detest,
dislike, enjoy, prefer
and after certain verbs:
Admit, advise, suggest, finish,
imagine, involve, mind, stop,
be worth
13. GERUND is used…
■ Be used to
■ Get used to
■ Can’t help
■ Can’t stand
■ Adapt to
■ Feel like
■ It’s no use
■ Keep on
■ Look forward to
…after these common expressions
15. Verbs followed by either the
gerund or the infinitive
Like, love, hate, prefer are usually followed by
the gerund. However, the infinitive is also
possible.
I love sunbathing.
I like to sunbathe when the weather is warm
enough.
general
specific
16. Verbs followed by either the
gerund or the infinitive
Begin, start, continue, intend are followed by
the gerund or infinitve with no change in
meaning:
When I arrived it started to rain/raining.
17. Verbs followed by either the gerund or
the infinitive with a change of
meaning:
forget
remember
regret
stop
18. Remember and forget
I still remember buying my first bike.
I’ll never forget meeting the Queen.
What’s their
meaning?
19. Remember and forget
I still remember buying my first bike.
I’ll never forget meeting the Queen.
They look back
at the past, at
things we once
did.
22. You must remember to pick up Mrs Lewis
from the station.
Don’t forget to buy some milk.
23. You must remember to pick up Mrs Lewis
from the station.
Don’t forget to buy some milk.
They look forward
in time, at things
one still has to do
24. You must remember that you have to pick
up Mrs Lewis from the station.
Or in other words…
26. A. I remember feeding the cat.
B. I must remember to feed the cat.
A B
27. I remember
feeding the cat
(after school, when we
still lived in the
countryside).
I must
remember to
feed the cat
(before we leave.)
28. 1. I’ll never forget seeing U2 in concert.
2. Don’t forget to phone me if you need any help.
• Which form is used “to recall a previous action”?
• Which form is used “to remember what you
have to do”?
29. 1. I’ll never forget seeing U2 in concert.
2. Don’t forget to phone me if you need any help.
Which form is used “to recall a previous action”?
the gerund
Which form is used “to remember what you have
to do”?
the infinitive
30. I regret leaving school at 14 – It was a great
mistake.
31. I regret leaving school at 14 – It was a great
mistake.
It looks back at the past, at something you
are sorry that you did
= I wish I hadn’t left school
32. ■We regret to inform passengers that the
14.50 train is one hour late.
33. ■We regret to inform
passengers that the
14.50 train is one hour
late.
It is used in
announcements of bad
news
34. 1. I regret seeing that film, it was so boring!
2. We regret to inform you that we are unable
to repair your car.
• Which sentence means that «you are sorry for
what you are going to say»?
• Which sentence means “to be sorry for a
previous action”?
35. 1. I regret seeing that film, it was so boring!
2. We regret to inform you that we are unable
to repair your car.
Which sentence means that “you are sorry for
what you are going to say?
Number 2 = to infinitive
Which sentence means “to be sorry for a previous
action”?
Number 1 = gerund
41. Let’s practise!
■I’ll never forget …………..Halloween with my
grandparents when I was a child.
(CELEBRATE)
■I’ll never forget celebrating Halloween with
my grandparents when I was a child.
45. Let’s practise!
■The management regrets
……….you that your contract
will not be renewed next
month. (INFORM)
■The management regrets to
inform you that your contract
will not be renewed next
month.
65. 1 I NEED TO GO
SHOPPING
Which is correct ?
2 I need going shopping
66. 1 I NEED TO GO
SHOPPING
Which is correct ?
2 I need going shopping
67. 1 I HOPE SEEING YOU
SOON
Which is correct ?
2 I hope to see you soon
68. 1 I HOPE SEEING YOU
SOON
Which is correct ?
2 I hope to see you soon
69. 1 I STOPPED TO
SMOKE
Which is correct ?
2 I stopped smoking
70. 1 I STOPPED TO
SMOKE
Which is correct ?
2 I stopped smoking
71. 1 THE CITY IS PLANNING TO INCREASE
THE BUDGET.
Which is correct ?
2 The city is planning increasing the budget.
72. 1 THE CITY IS PLANNING TO INCREASE
THE BUDGET.
Which is correct ?
2 The city is planning increasing the budget.
73. 1 THE DOCTOR ADVISED HIS PATIENT TO
DO MORE EXERCISE
Which is correct ?
2 The doctor advised his patient doing more
exercise
74. 1 THE DOCTOR ADVISED HIS PATIENT TO
DO MORE EXERCISE
Which is correct ?
2 The doctor advised his patient doing more
exercise
75. 1 THEY WERE SURPRISED TO FIND
THEIR SON STILL IN BED
Which is correct ?
2 They were surprised finding their son still in
bed
76. 1 THEY WERE SURPRISED TO FIND
THEIR SON STILL IN BED
Which is correct ?
2 They were surprised finding their son still in
bed
77. Which is correct ?
2 The teacher suggested to read books
regularly
1 The teacher suggested reading books
regularly
78. Which is correct ?
2 The teacher suggested to read books
regularly
1 The teacher suggested reading books
regularly
79. Which is correct ?
2 We are getting used to living in our new house
1 We are getting used to live in our new house
80. Which is correct ?
2 We are getting used to living in our new
house
1 We are getting used to live in our new house
81. ___ TO GO ____ GO ___ GOING
choose can
decide
enjoy
expect
hatelet (me)
lovemake (me)
manage may
might
(don’t) mind
must
need
plan
promise
refuse should
stop
want
would like
96. Psychologists think that _________ violent videos
makes some children become interested in
____________ crimes. (watch, commit)
97. Psychologists think that _________ violent videos
makes some children become interested in
____________ crimes. (watch, commit)
watching
committing