Gerund vs.
Infinitive
Fill in the blanks with an infinitive or a gerund.
1. They held an elaborate ceremony
……………………… the demons.
exorcising
to exorcise
2. The senator denied ever ………………………
such a statement.
to make
making
3. The men were asked ……………………….. their
grievances.
to detail
detailing
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Gerund vs. Infinitive
4. His diffidence keeps him …………………………….
friends.
to make
from making
5. Some foods are hard ……………………………
digesting
to digest
6. She is too dignified ………………………. anything
silly.
to do
doing
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Gerund vs. Infinitive
7. Let me digress for a moment
………………………. you a little story.
to tell
telling
8. The medicine will dilate the blood vessels and
prevent ……………………
to clot
clotting
9. His inheritance allows him ………………………..
expensive hobbies.
to buy
buying
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Gerund vs. Infinitive
10. The room was too dim for me
…………………………
to read
reading
11. We need a diplomat ………………………… with
this situation.
to deal
dealing
12. I was directed …………………….. the budget.
cutting
to cut
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Gerund vs. Infinitive
Answers
They held an elaborate ceremony to exorcise the demons.
The senator denied ever making such a statement.
The men were asked to detail their grievances.
His diffidence keeps him from making friends.
Some foods are hard to digest.
She is too dignified to do anything silly.
Let me digress for a moment to tell you a little story.
The medicine will dilate the blood vessels and prevent clotting.
His inheritance allows him to pursue expensive hobbies.
The room was too dim for me to read.
We need a diplomat to deal with this situation.
I was directed to cut the budget.
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