LEVEL UPPER INTERMEDIATE 1

UNIT 7

LESSON 1 - MIND GAMES

Gerund and to + infinitive

Gerund

Use

• We can use the gerund as the subject of a verb: • Certain verbs are followed by the gerund, especially those
Getting up early is difficult for me. related to preferences:
Swimming is very good for your back. I hate watching TV on Sundays.
Smoking is bad for your health. I don’t mind working weekends.
He keeps arriving late.
• We use the gerund after prepositions: I’ve stopped smoking.
I’m not so keen on skating. When you finish writing that report, could you send it to me for
He’s interested in cooking. proofing?
I look forward to hearing from you. (Note: to here is a
preposition!)
I’m sorry for keeping you waiting.

To + infinitive

Use

• We use to + infinitive to express purpose or the reason for Note (1): begin and start can be followed by a gerund or an
something: infinitive, without any change in meaning:
I went to the bank to ask about a loan.
I began to smoke when I was 13.
She closed all the windows to keep the mosquitoes out.
I began smoking when I was 13.
I gave him some money to get something to eat.
However, with the verb stop it does have a difference in
• We use to + infinitive after adjectives:
meaning:
It’s impossible to say.
I find it difficult to get to sleep unless it’s completely dark. My grandfather has stopped driving. (He is too old to drive,
It’s nice to have a bit of company. so he doesn’t do it anymore.)
It’s good to hear your voice again. On the way to the airport, we stopped to buy some souvenirs.
(One activity ceased for another to happen.)
• We use to + infinitive after certain verbs:
Note (2): After auxiliary and modal verbs we use the infini-
I need to sleep eight hours a night.
tive WITHOUT to:
I want to get away this weekend.
I’d like to see that film again. I don’t like football.
I’ve decided to do engineering at university. You must be mad!
I should go now.

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