Simple Rules to Master the Use of Gerunds and Infinitives

VERB PATTERNS
There are certain words in English that are usually followed by an infinitive or gerund. If you are not sure whether to use the infinitive or gerund, click here.
You'll find lists of verbs and examples.

•  They went running
• They want to run
• They must run

 

Verb Patterns. Quizzes

 

Here you have some help with Verb Patterns. Click on the link below and do the quizzes.

http://random-idea-english.blogspot.com.es/2014/11/verb-patterns-quick-quizzes.html

Infinitives with and without to

The infinitive can be used with or without to. Infinitives used with ‘to’ are called to-infinitives and infinitives used without ‘to’ are called bare infinitives.

Complete the following sentences using an infinitive.
1. I want ………………. a letter.
a) write
b) to write
2. I ought ………………… a letter.
a) to have written
b) have written
3. You should ……………….. a doctor.
a) have consulted
b) to have consulted
4. I can ………………… a strange sound.
a) hear
b) to hear
c) hearing
5. I could ……………….
a) have won
b) to have won
6. I will …………….. what I like.
a) say
b) to say
7. The boys must ………………. the rules.
a) obey
b) to obey
8. You need not …………………
a) go
b) to go
c) going
9. He dare not …………………
a) refuse
b) to refuse
10. She didn’t dare …………….. anything.
a) say
b) to say
c) saying
11. We need two months ………………….. the work.
a) to complete
b) complete
c) completing
12. I bade him …………………..
a) come
b) to come
c) coming

click here to check your answers

Verb Patterns. Verb + Gerund

Verb Patterns. Exercises

Click on the links to practise what you have learned
1. Infinitive or Gerund?

2. Gerund, Infinitive

Verb Patterns

VERB PATTERNS. BASIC INTRODUCTION 

1) The infinitive with TO is used:  

• After adjectives: 
This is very easy to understand 

• After some verbs:

 

afford         decide         learn         seem              agree         

expect        manage       try            arrange           hope          

offer           wait            ask           promise          want          

choose       plan            refuse        would love      would like

• To express purpose: 
 He went to the airport to pick her up.  

• In the construction verb + object + to infinitive: 
I want Peter to speak to me. 
She’d like him to go there. 
They advised me not to buy it. 

2) The gerund (-ing form) is used: 

• After preposition:  
I look forward to seeing you again.                      
They apologized for not paying the bill. 
They came home alter meeting his friends 

• When it is the subject of the sentence: 
Eating in class is forbidden. 
Biting your nails is a bad habit 

• After some verbs:  

admit          enjoy           mind             consider          finish           
miss            stop            suggest         deny               imagine       
practise       tolerate        avoid            keep               mention     
can't help    dislike          like               hate               give up 

I can't help laughing at him.

I can't stand waiting in queues. 

There's / It's no use crying over spilt milk. 

That car isn't worth buying. 

David has given up smoking. 

Let's go hiking. (go + ing actions) 

3) The bare infinitive/ Infinitive without TO is used: 

• After modal verbs  
They must study . 
We can’t go there. 
She might pass. 
You should go to the library. (but, I ought to talk to him) 

• make / let somebody do something. 
 She made me cry. 
They let him go to the party.