Gerunds and infinitives
Learn when to use -ing or to + verb: verbs with each pattern, verbs that change meaning (stop, remember, forget, try), prepositions and gerund subjects.
In this lesson
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun (swimming, reading). An infinitive is to + the base verb (to swim, to read). Some verbs are followed by a gerund, some by an infinitive and some by both, sometimes with a change of meaning: I stopped smoking is not the same as I stopped to smoke.
Key point
After some verbs (enjoy, finish, avoid) use -ing. After others (want, decide, hope) use to + verb. After a preposition, always use -ing: She is good at drawing. Verbs such as stop, remember, forget and try take both, but the meaning changes.
What are gerunds and infinitives?
Gerunds and infinitives are verb forms that can do the job of a noun in a sentence. There is also an infinitive without to, which we use after modal verbs and after let and make.
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Gerund | verb + -ing | Reading is my favourite hobby. |
| To infinitive | to + base verb | I want to read more books. |
| Infinitive without to | base verb | You should read this. She made me laugh. |
| Negative | not + -ing / not + to + verb | I regret not studying harder. I decided not to go. |
Which verbs are followed by -ing?
These common verbs are followed by the gerund. Learn each one with an example, not as a single word.
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| enjoy | Nimal enjoys playing cricket. |
| finish | Have you finished writing your essay? |
| avoid | Try to avoid driving in Colombo at rush hour. |
| mind | Do you mind opening the window? |
| suggest | Sanduni suggested taking the train to Kandy. |
| consider | We are considering moving to Galle. |
| keep | He keeps forgetting my name. |
| practise | You should practise speaking every day. |
| admit / deny | He admitted taking the money. |
| can’t stand | I can’t stand waiting in queues. |
Others include imagine, risk, miss and many phrasal verbs, such as give up, put off and carry on: She gave up eating sugar. See our list of common phrasal verbs for more.
Common mistake
I’m looking forward to see you. → I’m looking forward to seeing you. In look forward to, to is a preposition, so the verb after it takes -ing.
Which verbs are followed by to + infinitive?
Many verbs about plans, wishes and decisions are followed by the to infinitive. They often look forward to a future action.
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| want | I want to learn Japanese. |
| decide | They decided to stay in Kandy for another night. |
| hope | We hope to see you soon. |
| plan | Sanduni is planning to study abroad. |
| agree / refuse | The shop refused to give me a refund. |
| promise | Nimal promised to call me. |
| manage | We managed to catch the last bus. |
| afford | I can’t afford to buy a new car. |
| learn | My son is learning to swim. |
Some verbs take an object before the infinitive: verb + person + to + verb. Common examples are want, ask, tell, advise and expect: My parents want me to become a doctor. This pattern is also used in reported speech for commands and requests.
Common mistake
I want that you come to my wedding. → I want you to come to my wedding. After want, use an object + to infinitive, not a that clause.
Which verbs can take both forms?
A few verbs can take either form with little or no change in meaning: begin, start, continue, like, love, hate and prefer.
Examples
- It started raining. / It started to rain.
- Nimal loves cooking. / Nimal loves to cook.
- She continued working after the baby was born. / She continued to work.
Note
After would like, would love and would prefer, always use the to infinitive: I’d like to order now. In British English, like + -ing usually means enjoy, while like to often means you think something is a good idea: I like to get to the airport early.
Which verbs change their meaning?
With stop, remember, forget and try, the choice between -ing and to changes what the sentence means.
| Verb | + -ing | + to infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| stop | End an activity: Nimal stopped smoking last year. | Pause one activity in order to do another: Nimal stopped to buy a newspaper. |
| remember | Have a memory of the past: I remember visiting Kandy as a child. | Not forget a duty: Remember to lock the door. |
| forget | A memory of a past event (usually with never): I’ll never forget meeting my favourite cricketer. | Not do a duty: I forgot to call my mother. |
| try | Do something as an experiment: Try restarting your computer. | Make an effort to do something difficult: I tried to open the jar, but it was too tight. |
Tip
A simple memory trick: -ing looks back at an action that already happened, and to looks forward to an action that comes next. I remember posting the letter (I posted it). Remember to post the letter (you still need to post it).
Regret works in the same way: I regret telling him means I told him and I am sorry. We regret to inform you is a formal way of giving bad news.
Why do we use -ing after prepositions?
A preposition such as about, at, in, of, for, without, before or after is always followed by a noun or an -ing form, never by an infinitive.
Examples
- Sanduni is good at drawing.
- Thank you for helping me.
- I’m interested in learning Tamil.
- He left without saying goodbye.
- Wash your hands before eating.
- How about going to the cinema tonight?
Note
In be used to, get used to, look forward to and object to, the word to is a preposition, so it takes -ing: I’m used to waking up early.
Can a gerund be the subject of a sentence?
Yes. A gerund can be the subject, just like a noun. The verb after a gerund subject is singular, as explained in our lesson on singular and plural verbs.
Examples
- Swimming is good exercise.
- Learning English opens many doors.
- Reading every day improves your vocabulary.
- Eating too much sugar is bad for your teeth.
Tip
A to infinitive as the subject sounds formal. In everyday English, start with it instead: It is important to drink enough water. It is difficult to find a parking space in Colombo.
To go further, read the Cambridge Dictionary grammar guide to verb + infinitive or verb + -ing and the British Council LearnEnglish lesson on verbs that change meaning with -ing or the infinitive.
Summary
- A gerund is verb + -ing used as a noun; an infinitive is to + base verb.
- Enjoy, finish, avoid, mind and suggest take -ing; want, decide, hope, plan and manage take to.
- Begin, start, like, love and hate can take both with little change in meaning.
- Stop, remember, forget and try change their meaning: -ing looks back, to looks forward.
- Always use -ing after a preposition, and use a gerund (or it is … to) as a subject.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a gerund and a present participle?
Both end in -ing. A gerund works as a noun: Swimming is fun. A present participle is part of a verb or describes something: She is swimming. Look at the job the word does in the sentence.
Is it I like swimming or I like to swim?
Both are correct. In British English, like + -ing usually means you enjoy it, while like to can mean you think it is a good idea.
Why is it look forward to seeing and not look forward to see?
Here to is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. Prepositions are followed by -ing, so say I look forward to seeing you.
How can I remember which verbs take -ing or to?
Learn them in groups and in full example sentences. A good learner’s dictionary also shows the pattern for each verb in its examples.
Practise this lesson
11 questions
