Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerunds are verbs that end in –ing, but are used as nouns.  

Infinitives are verbs in the base form with the word “to” in front.  (Sometimes infinitives are also be used without "to" in front, such as when following a modal verb.  For this discussion, we are talking about the case where the verb takes "to" in front.)

Gerunds and Infinitive Verb Formation
Verb + to + infinitive	·       I agree to study more. ·       He decided to fly home. ·       He hoped to talk with the manager. ·       He waited to ask his question until class was over. ·       I want to make a million dollars.
Verb + -ing (Gerund)	·       The teacher advised studying harder. ·       I am used to getting up early. ·       I am considering joining a club. ·       I enjoy swimming. ·       I have trouble sleeping.
Verb + -ing Or Verb + to + infinitive with same meaning	·       He began studying.  He began to study ·       I continue trying.  I continue to try. ·       I hate jogging.  I hate to jog. ·       I like swimming.  I like to swim. ·       I love eating McDonalds!  I love to eat McDonalds. ·       I prefer walking.  I prefer to walk. ·       I started learning English last year.  I started to learn English last May.
Verb + preposition + ing	·       I’m thinking of studying in Germany. ·       I’m looking forward to graduating from college.

Students often are confused by gerunds and infinitives.  In particular, they may not know when to use a gerund or when to use an infinitive.  The table below will help with that question.

Infinitive Verbs and Gerund Verbs
An infinitive follows these verbs	afford, agree, appear, arrange, ask, care, decide, demand, expect, fail, hope, learn, manage, mean, offer, plan, prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, seem, volunteer, wait, want, wish
A gerund follows these verbs	admit, advise, avoid, be used to, can’t help, can’t stand, consider, deny, discuss, dislike, end up, enjoy, feel like, finish, get used to, give up, go on, have difficulty, have problems, have trouble, imagine, it’s no use, it’s worthwhile, keep, look forward to, mention, mind, miss, recommend, quit, spend time, suggest, understand, waste time, work at
Either a gerund or an infinitive can follow these verbs, and there is no change in meaning	begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, start
Either a gerund or an infinitive can follow these verbs, but the meaning may change	forget, remember, stop ·       He forgot to pay the bill. ·       He forgot paying the bill. ·       He remembered to call his mother. ·       He remembered calling his mother. ·       He stopped smoking cigarettes. ·       He stopped to smoke a cigarette.