Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerunds and Infinitives

After some verbs, we use the gerund (verb + -ing: swimming). After others, we use the infinitive (to + verb: to swim). The first verb usually decides which one we use.

Structure

• Verb + gerund: enjoy, finish, keep, mind, suggest, avoid. Example: I enjoy swimming.
• Verb + infinitive: want, need, decide, hope, plan, learn, promise, would like. Example: I want to swim.
• Both (often little or no difference in meaning): like, love, hate, prefer, start, begin. Example: I like swimming. / I like to swim.
• Stop (two patterns, two meanings): stop + gerund = end an action. Stop + to + verb = stop one thing to do something else. Examples: I stopped smoking. / I stopped to buy milk.
• Negative: not + gerund, or not to + verb. Examples: I enjoy not working on Sundays. / We decided not to go.

How the Grammar Works

1. Learn which group the first verb belongs to. This decides the form of the second verb. Example: enjoy takes the gerund (I enjoy swimming.). Want takes the infinitive (I want to swim.).
2. After a preposition (a word like at, without, about), always use the gerund. Examples: I'm good at cooking. / She left without saying goodbye.
3. Use the gerund as the subject of a sentence. Example: Reading is fun.
4. Use the infinitive to explain purpose (why?). Example: I went to the shop to buy milk. After stop, the infinitive gives the same idea: He stopped to buy milk.
5. Use like for things in general. Use would like for a wish now. Would like takes only the infinitive. Examples: I like swimming. / I would like to swim today.

Common Use Cases

• Talking about likes and dislikes: She loves dancing.
• Talking about plans and wishes: We decided to stay.
• Asking for something politely: I would like to sit down.
• Explaining purpose: He called to ask a question.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Infinitive after enjoy. Incorrect: I enjoy to read. Correct: I enjoy reading. Enjoy takes the gerund.
• Gerund after want. Incorrect: I want going home. Correct: I want to go home. Want takes the infinitive.
• Infinitive after a preposition. Incorrect: I'm interested in to learn English. Correct: I'm interested in learning English. After a preposition, use the gerund.
• Gerund after would like. Incorrect: I would like swimming. Correct: I would like to swim. Would like takes only the infinitive.
• Wrong negative. Incorrect: I decided don't go. Correct: I decided not to go. Do not use don't after decide.

Comparison with Related Grammar

Do not confuse the gerund with the Present Continuous. Both end in -ing. The Present Continuous needs be: I am swimming now. A gerund acts like a noun: Swimming is fun. I enjoy swimming.

Example Sentences

• He finished writing the email.
• They hope to visit us soon.
• She keeps forgetting her password.
• I need to talk to you.
• We're thinking about moving to a bigger flat.
• We decided not to go to the party.
• He stopped to buy some bread.

When to Use This Rule

Check the first verb: some verbs take the gerund, some take the infinitive, and some take both. After prepositions, use the gerund. To explain purpose, use the infinitive.