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Gerund = the present participle (-ing) form of the verb, e.g., singing, dancing,
running.
Infinitive = to + the base form of the verb, e.g., to sing, to dance, to run.
Whether you use a gerund or an infinitive depends on the main verb in the
sentence.
Gerunds can be used after certain verbs including enjoy, fancy, discuss, dislike,
■ admit
■ advise
■ allow
■ appreciate
■ avoid
■ can’t help
■ can’t stand
■ consider
■ delay
■ deny
■ enjoy
■ fancy
■ finish
■ go (e.g. in “go swimming”)
■ imagine
■ involve
■ keep (e.g. in “keep going”)
■ mention
■ mind
■ miss
■ postpone
■ practice
■ resist
■ risk
■ stop
■ suggest
■ understand
■ waste time/money
Infinitives can be used after certain verbs including agree, ask, decide, help,
2. To show purpose:
I left for Russia to study Russian.
I came to the office to solve the mystery of the missing keys.
■ afford
■ agree
■ aim
■ appear
■ arrange
■ attempt
■ choose
■ claim
■ consent
■ decide
■ demand
■ deserve
■ determine
■ expect
■ fail
■ guarantee
■ happen
■ have
■ hesitate
■ hope
■ learn
■ long
■ manage
■ mean
■ offer
■ ought
■ plan
■ prepare
■ pretend
■ proceed
■ promise
■ refuse
■ resolve
■ seem
■ stop
■ tend
■ volunteer
■ want
■ wish
■ would hate
■ would like
■ would love
■ would prefer