GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

There are certain verbs that are followed by either an infinitive form or a gerund. Here’s a list for you to
remember when to use the infinitives and the gerunds:

VERB+ TO INFINITIVE THESE VERBS ARE ALWAYS FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER VERB IN

THE INFINITIVE FORM
Decide, want, hope, promise, advise, be able, refuse, manage, tend, plan, expect, need, hope, intend, offer,
afford, threaten, wish, would like, pretend, see.
HE DECIDED TO START HIS OWN COMPANY
SHE PROMISED TO TEXT ME
MY DAUGHTER REFUSES TO EAT BROCCOLI
SHE-S THREATENING TO RESIGN

VERB+GERUND THESE VERBS ARE ALWAYS FOLLOWED BY A GERUND

Enjoy, like, fancy, hate, (don’t) mind, love, can’t stand, admit, avoid, come, consider, deny, finish, go,
involve, miss, postpone, risk, suggest, practice, keep on.
SHE ENJOYS DRINKING COFFEE
I CAN’T STAND IRONING SHIRTS
SHE DENIED BREAKING THE MIRROR

Remember that certain verbs allow both the infinitive and the gerund, but they generally have a slight change
in meaning.

Forget: +infinitive= you forgot. You didn’t do something. Matt forgot to take the camera out of his car
+ gerund= you did something. You forget it. I’ll never forget taking my son to school for the first time

Remember: +infinitive= you remember something. Then you do it. Remember to close the windows before
you leave
+ gerund= you did something. Later you remember it. I definitely remember closing the window

Try: +infinitive= you make an effort to do something hard. I tried to change the wheel, but I couldn’t
+ gerund= you experiment with different methods to do something. I don’t know why my radio isn’t
working. I tried changing the batteries, but they’re OK

Need: +infinitive= you have to/should do something. I need to clean my shoes. They’re filthy
+ gerund= something needs to be done. You don’t mention who has to do it. My shoes need cleaning,
they’re filthy

Stop: +infinitive= you stop to be able to do something else. I stopped to buy a coke
+gerund= you don’t do that anymore. I stopped buying coke because I’m on a diet

Like: +infinitive= you do it because it’s a good habit. I like to go to the dentist every six months
+gerund= you do it because you enjoy it. I like going to the dentist every six months.

Mean: +infinitive= you didn’t fulfill your intention. I meant to tell her, but I was afraid of her reaction
+gerund= it involved the action mentioned. It meant telling her