THE GERUND VS THE INFINITIVE
Ex. 1 Read the text and choose the verbs and expressions to complete the table.
Ex. 2 Now add these words and expression to the table.
decide, let, can, want, would like, remember, forget, may, must, stop, would love, agree, expect, can’t bear,
look forward to, be interested in, don’t mind, it’s a waste of time, have problems, it’s no use, it is nice, it’s
hard, hope, offer, keep (=continue), plan, suggest, ask, ought, seem, risk, can’t help
• We always use a gerund after prepositions, e.g. He is bored with studying.
• Some verbs followed by a full infinitive take the object before to, e.g. The teacher ordered him to
stop talking. The doctor advised me to take more exercise.
• We use a bare infinitive after all modal verbs, e.g. I can swim.
• The verb make is followed by bare infinitive in the active voice but by a full infinitive in the passive,
e.g. The teacher makes us revise before tests. We are made to revise before tests.
• Some verbs, e.g. stop, remember, can be followed either by a gerund or full infinitive with a change
of meaning.
Ex. 3 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
1. I think most people prefer (ride) __________ in comfortable cars to (walk) ________.
2. She loves (swim) ________ in the lake.
3. I enjoyed (rest) _________ in the afternoon after (try) ________ to finish (do) ________ my English
homework.
4. I had to ask the boys (stop) ________ (ride) ________ their mini-scooters in the corridor.
5. We can't think of (buy) ________ a new house before (sell) ________ the old one.
6. I'd love (have) __________ the opportunity of (meet) ________ you again.
7. Our teacher has promised (help) __________ us (prepare) ________ for the next week's test.
8. A student can't learn (spell) ________ without (be) ________ taught.
9. It's stupid (risk) ________ (break) ________ a leg with those mini-scooters.
10. I advise you (wait) ________ before (decide) ________ (accept) ________ that position at the
supermarket.
Ex. 4 Match the columns to make correct sentences.
1. They decided A. hearing from you soon.
2. Monica really enjoyed B. the rabbit jump out of the hat.
3. My sister let us C. to sell their old flat and buy a bigger one.
4. I look forward to D. watching the film last night.
5. I couldn’t help E. waking up early.
6. Anna hopes F. take more exercise.
7. The magician made G. speak four languages.
8. I can’t stand H. laughing when I saw her hair.
9. You must I. use her house for the party.
10. Maria can J. to find a good job one day.
Ex. 5 Chose the correct meaning for the verbs in bold.
1) I remember locking the door.
a) not to forget an obligation b) to recall a past situation
2) I remembered to post the letter before leaving.
a) not to forget an obligation b) to recall a past situation
3) I regretted not having been abroad.
a) to feel sorry about something from the past b) to feel sorry about something you have to do
4) I regret to tell you that you have failed the test again.
a) to feel sorry about something from the past b) to feel sorry about something you have to do
5) She stopped working and retired last month.
a) to give up the activity b) to interrupt the activity in order to do something else
6) He stopped to think how to tell her the horrible news.
a) to give up the activity b) to interrupt the activity in order to do something else
7) They were trying to fight their way up.
a) to make an effort to do something b) to do something in order to see the results
8) If you want to remove the stain, try washing it with some stain remover.
a) to make an effort to do something b) to do something in order to see the results
9) I like cleaning the kitchen.
a) I enjoy it. b) It’s a good idea but I may not enjoy it.
10) I like to clean the kitchen as often as possible.
a) I enjoy it. b) It’s a good idea but I may not enjoy it.
Ex. 6 Choose the correct form (gerund or infinitive):
1) Vivian can't help _____ about her children.
worry / to worry / worrying
2) If you know how, it is easy _____ in water for a long time.
to float / float / floating
3) I learned how to cook by _____ my mother in the kitchen.
watching / watch / to watch
4) I decided _____ this contest.
not enter / not entering / not to enter
5) Everyone in the neighborhood participated in _____ for the lost child.
searching / search / to search
6) Mr. Davis was accused of _____ classified information to the press.
to leak / leak / leaking
7) My teacher insisted on _____ up all the trash, even if it wasn't ours.
cleaning / clean / to clean
8) Bob and Tina arranged _____ outside the movie theater.
meeting / meet / to meet
9) Monica's parents forbid her _____ in the street because there's too much traffic.
playing / to play / play
10) I was relieved _____ out that I had passed the exam.
find / finding / to find
11) My parents don't allow me _____ out late.
to go / go / going
12) _____ a second language takes time and practice.
Mastering / To master / Master
13) The children are anxious _____ to the circus.
to go / go / going
14) You'll be able _____ it yourself when you're older.
to do / doing / do
15) Lilian said I should _____ yoga to relieve stress.
doing / do/ to do
16) The people in front of me in the movie kept _____ loudly.
to talk / talking / talk
17) I've given up _____ to learn how to skate.
to try / try / trying
18) Our teacher encourages us _____ a dictionary to check the spelling of difficult words.
to use / use / using
19) I don't blame you for _____ to go to that boring meeting.
not wanting / not to want / not want
20) The manager let Jane _____ early as she had a doctor's appointment.
go / to go / going
21) She learned _____ students with respect.
treating / to treat / treat
