GerungAndInfinitive

When the verb follows another verb, the second verb is either the gerund or infinitive, with or without to.

Gerund

Verbs followed by the gerund:

  • include
  • adore
  • don't mind
  • hate
  • love
  • like
  • can't help
  • can't imagine
  • can't stand
  • fancy
  • feel like
  • involve
  • (don't) mind
  • miss
I don't feel like going out tonight.

Infinitive

Verbs followed by the infinitive with to:

  • agree
  • aim
  • appear
  • arrange
  • expect
  • hope
  • learn (how)
  • offer
  • plan
  • refuse
  • tent
  • want
  • wish
We've arranged to meet on 25th.

Verbs followed by object + infinitive with to:

  • advise
  • allow
  • ask
  • authorize
  • encourage
  • expect
  • forbid
  • need
  • remind
  • teach (how)
  • tell
  • want
They encouraged me to do it.
I'm teaching my cousin to play the drums

Make and let are followed by object + infinitive without to:

My boss never lets me leave work early.

Help is followed by object + infinitive (with or without to)':

Can you help me cook dinner?
Can you help me to cook dinner?

Some verbs are followed by Gerund or infinitive with a change of meaning

remember / forget

We use gerund to talk about memories

I will never forget meeting Alice for the first time

We use infinitive with to to say we do or don't do something

I forgot to post your letter. Sorry

regret

We use Gerund to express regret about something in the past

I really regret not speaking to her when I had the chance

We used infinitive with to to express regret about something we are just about to do. Used in formal context.

We regret to inform you that the train has been canceled.

stop

We use Gerund when we stop an action

I stopped playing computer games when I was about 30

We used infinitive with to to give the racon why we stop another action

Sorry we are late. We stopped to get some petrol.
Page last modified on September 27, 2021, at 05:43 PM
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