Infinitive and Gerund

Infinitive and Gerund

Elementary

Master the essential distinction between infinitives (to + verb) and gerunds (-ing forms) in English. Learn through practical scenarios when to use each form, helping you confidently handle constructions like 'enjoy doing' vs 'want to do' in everyday communication.

1.Gerund and Infinitive

1.1Gerund

Gerund is just an -ing form of verb. For example if you have a Verb "go" just add "ing" at the end like this

go -> going
And voila, you have a gerund form!

Practice Examples

Complete with the correct form.

He keeps (try) _____ new restaurants.

Complete with the correct form.

She enjoys (paint) _____ landscapes.

Complete with the correct form.

I love (read) _____ books before bed.

1.2Gerund after silent "e"

If a verb has "e" at the end that doesn't produce sound, just delete it when making gerund form! Sure! Here are additional examples of gerunds based on the rules mentioned:

Base Verb Gerund Rule Applied
dance dancing Silent 'e' dropped
bake baking Silent 'e' dropped

Practice Examples

Complete with the correct form.

He is (write) _____ a letter to his friend.

Complete with the correct form.

She keeps (smile) _____ at everyone.

Complete with the correct form.

They prefer (make) _____ dinner at home.

1.3Double consonants

If the verb is one syllable (has only one vowel sounnd) and end with a combo of vowel and consonant, you need to double the last consonant. Sound difficult, but it is easier than you think, take a look at those examples:

Word Gerund Explanation
run running double "n"
stop stopping double "p"

Practice Examples

Complete with the correct form.

He likes (shop) _____ on weekends.

Complete with the correct form.

He is (sit) _____ in the garden.

Complete with the correct form.

Tom enjoys (swim) _____ in the ocean.

1.4Words ending with "ie"

When a word ends on "ie", you just change it for "y".

Base Verb Change to Gerund Gerund Form
die Change "ie" to "y" and add -ing dying
lie Change "ie" to "y" and add -ing lying

Practice Examples

Complete with the correct form.

She likes (lie) _____ on a beach.

Complete with the correct form.

He started (tie) _____ his shoes.

Complete with the correct form.

He keeps (die) _____ his hair blue.

1.5Gerund after certain verbs

Oftentimes we need to talk about two different activities in one sentence done by one person, and after certain verbs you must use gerund! Here are examples of sentences where certain verbs are followed by gerunds (verb + ing). These verbs commonly require the gerund form rather than the infinitive.

Verb Example
Enjoy I enjoy swimming.
Avoid She avoids eating junk food.
Consider They considered moving to a new city.
Finish He finished reading the book.
Mind Do you mind closing the window?
Suggest She suggested going to the park.
Start He started learning Spanish.
Stop They stopped talking during the movie.
Like We like cleaning the house.
Keep You should keep practicing.
Discuss Let's discuss going to the concert.
Practice She practices singing every day.
Recommend I recommend trying the new restaurant.
Delay He delayed making a decision.
Look forward to We look forward to meeting you.

Practice Examples

Complete with the correct form.

We finished (paint) _____ the room.

Complete with the correct form.

He considers (move) _____ to Paris.

Complete with the correct form.

I stopped (watch) _____ TV at night.

1.6Infinitive form

The to + infinitive form is used in English to express purpose, intention, or to describe why something happens. The infinitive is the base form of a verb (e.g., "to eat," "to go"). We use to + infinitive after certain verbs.

Forming infinitive

Unlike the gerund, there is only one rule with no exceptions to forming the to+infinitive form, and that is to put the word in the first form e.g.

went -> go
having -> have
And add "to", e,g to go, to have, etc.

Practice Examples

Make to+infinitive form

(went) _____ .

Make to+infinitive form

(spoke) _____ .

Make to+infinitive form

(sang) _____ .

1.7Infinitive after certain verbs

Alike to Gerund, certain verbs require To+infinitive if paired with another verb

Verb Example
want I want to eat pizza.
need She needs to finish her work.
decide He decided to leave early.
hope We hope to travel soon.
plan I plan to study tonight.
try She tried to open the door.
learn He learned to swim last year.
promise I promised to help her.
offer They offered to drive us.
expect I expect to see you tomorrow.
wish She wishes to become a doctor.
ask He asked to speak with the manager.
prefer I prefer to read at night.
prepare They prepared to leave early.

Practice Examples

Complete with the correct form

He hopes (become) _____ a doctor.

Complete with the correct form

I need (finish) _____ this today.

Complete with the correct form

They decided (move) _____ to Paris.

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