VocabNoteGerunds and Infinitives
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun (Swimming is fun). An infinitive is to + base verb (I want to swim). When one verb follows another, the first verb decides the form: some verbs take a gerund (enjoy, avoid, finish), some take an infinitive (want, decide, hope), and a few take both, sometimes with a change in meaning (stop, remember, forget).
WHEN TO USE
Use a gerund as the subject of a sentence, after prepositions, and after verbs such as enjoy, avoid, mind, finish, suggest and keep. Use an infinitive after verbs such as want, need, decide, hope, plan, agree and promise, after many adjectives (easy to learn), and to give a purpose (I came here to study).
STRUCTURE
Verb+V-ing (enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, keep, suggest)I enjoy reading before bed.
Verb+to+base verb (want, decide, hope, plan, agree, promise)She decided to learn Korean.
Preposition+V-ingHe's good at remembering names.
stop / remember / forget+V-ing or to+base verb (the meaning changes)I stopped to buy coffee on the way to work.
SIGNAL WORDS
- enjoy
- avoid
- finish
- want
- decide
- hope
- stop
- remember
EXAMPLES
Learning a few words every day is easier than cramming before a test.
I want to improve my pronunciation.
Do you mind opening the window?
She's interested in studying abroad.
Remember to lock the door when you leave.
I'll never forget meeting you for the first time.
SPELLING RULES
| Most verbs | add -ing | read → reading, study → studying |
|---|---|---|
| Ends in silent -e | drop -e, add -ing | write → writing, make → making |
| Short verb ending in consonant-vowel-consonant | double final consonant + -ing | swim → swimming, stop → stopping |
COMMON MISTAKES
I enjoy to read before bed.
I enjoy reading before bed.
'Enjoy' is always followed by a gerund (V-ing), never an infinitive
She decided learning Korean.
She decided to learn Korean.
'Decide' takes an infinitive: decide to + base verb
I'm looking forward to meet you.
I'm looking forward to meeting you.
Here 'to' is a preposition, so it is followed by V-ing. The same goes for 'be used to' and 'object to'
He stopped to smoke last year.
He stopped smoking last year.
'Stop + V-ing' means you no longer do it. 'Stop + to + verb' means you stop one thing in order to do another
Tip
Learn each verb together with the form that follows it, as one chunk: enjoy + V-ing, want + to + verb. When you save a new verb, write a short example with the right pattern so the form sticks.