Gerund and infinitive

A gerund is: the verb + ing form used as a noun. It can be used as a subject or an object of a sentence.
Examples: playing football is my favourite hobby (subject)
 When do we use gerund?
 The gerund is used after the following verbs:
(admit, avoid, deny, like, dislike, enjoy, finish, hate, mind, keep, risk, suggest, stop, start, spend, dread, miss, carry
on, consider, delay, can’t help, give up, imagine, include, love, mention, practice, regret….)
Examples :
1. She dislikes eating out
2. They finish doing their homework
3. You give up smoking
4. She loves watching movies
 The gerund is used after certain verbs + preposition
(accuse of, apologize for, blame someone for, complain about, concentrate on, congratulate on, decide against, depend on,
dream about/of, feel like, forgive someone for, get used to, insist on, look forward to, prevent someone from, punish
someone for, rely on, succeed in, specialize in, stop somebody from, talk about/of, thank someone for, warn against, worry
about…..
Examples:
1. They accused him of stealing money
2. He apologized for no coming
3. He concentrates on preparing for the exam
4. He dreams of getting his baccalaureate this year
5. I get used to living in Tendite
 The gerund is used after adjective+ preposition
(be afraid of, be angry about, be good/bad at, be clever at, be crazy about, be disappointed about, be excited about, be
famous for, be fed up with, be fond of, be interested in, be keen on, be proud of, be responsible for, be sick of, be sorry
about, be tired of , be used to, be worried about, )
Examples:
1. The little child is afraid of sleeping alone
2. Ali is angry about working weekends
3. Halima is good at learning languages
4. He is crazy about surfing the net
5. I’m proud of being your teacher
The infinitive
The infinitive: to + verb form can also be used as a subject or object of a sentence.
 WHEN DO WE USE THE INFINITIVE?
 Verbs followed by the infinitive
(agree, arrange, decide, fail, promise, refuse, try, want, manage, need, expect, choose, intend, hope, seem, pretend, plan,
would, like (love/prefer), be allowed, afford, appear, hope….)
Examples
1. They agreed to do business 2. They arranged to meet next week 3. They decide to spend their vacation in Agadir
4.They failed to understand each other 5. She promised to help me

 Verbs followed by objects + infinitive (Advise, allow, ask, encourage, force, invite, order, permit, persuade, remind,
teach, tell, warn….)
Examples:
1. We advise our customers to contact us in case of problem
2. The teacher asked her students to finish their homework on time
3. He invited me to attend his party
 Verbs followed by infinitive without “to” (let, hear, help, see, watch, make, feel)
Examples:
1. Let me finish 2. Help me prepare my dinner 3. she saw him put something in his mouth
 The infinitive without “to” is also used after these modal verbs Can, could, may, might, must, should, would….)
Examples:
1. He can come with us 2. He may not stay here
 EXERCISE1
A. Fill in each gap with the appropriate word or phrase from the list
1. I can…………………Amazigh, but I can’t write it. (speak, to speak, speaking)
2. Try to avoid ………………food that contains too much fat. (eat, to eat, eating)
3. I would love………………….to your party, but I’m busy. (come, to come, coming)
4. Your last results weren’t satisfactory, you would better……..…..harder. (work, to work,
working)
5. I suggest ………………..your website to make it more attractive. (update, to update, updating)
6. Latifa will join us for dinner when she finishes …………………..the baby. (feed, to feed,
feeding)
B. Find the mistake in each sentence and correct it
1. Why don’t you to apply for the job? It is quite interesting…………………………………………
2. I have decided taking up fishing. It is a relaxing hobby……………………………………………
3. I’m sorry hear that. I sympathize with you…………………………………………………………
4. The doctor advised Ali eat more fruits and vegetables……………………………………………..
5. I would prefer eating at home tonight rather than go to a restaurant……………………………….
C. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form (gerund or infinitive)
1. Hamid promised (help)…………………..me with my homework.
2. She enjoys (listen)…………………to music, but she dislike (watch)…………………….boxing.
3. After (finish)………………his studies, he chose (live)……………………in Fes.
4. The police didn’t manage (arrest)………………….the burglar because they arrived late.
5. She is depressed. She doesn’t feel like (talk)……………………..to anyone.
6. At the end of the meeting they agreed (continue)……………………….their negotiations.
7. Whenever I see this film, I can’t help (laugh) ……………………………
8. My parents never make me (do)…………………..what I don’t want to
9. I’m looking forward to (see)…………………………you in Paris soon.
10. Thank you for (devote)………………………….some of your time to us.
11. What would you like (do)……………………next weekend?
12. On my way to work, I usually stop (pick up)……………….hitchhikers, whatever they look like.
13. “have a cigarette!” “sorry”, I don’t smoke anymore. I stopped (smoke)………………..about two
months ago.
14. After working continuously for four hours, we stopped (have)……………………a meal.
15. Would you prefer (stay)………………….at home tonight or (go) ………………………out?
16. I’m bored with (do) ………………………the same thing all the time. I need a change badly.
17. “Would you mind (repeat)…………………..that? I didn’t really catch what you said”.
18. (Work)……………………..for the benefit of my community is something I like.
19. It is no use (talk)…………………..to her. You will just waste your time. She never listens.
20. The kids are afraid of (stay) ……………………alone at home.
D. Rewrite the following sentences as indicated using the gerund or the infinitive:
1. I’m sorry I treated you that way in front of your friends. It was rude of me.
I regret ……………………………………………………………………………….
2. I’m awfully sorry I called you so late!
Forgive me for…………………………………………………………………………………….
3. I find it difficult to drive in the rain.
I’m not good at……………………………………………………………………………………..