THE GERUND
The gerund is the –ing form of a verb. We can use it:
1. As the subject or object of a sentence. 3. After certain verbs such as: admit, avoid, can’t stand,
a- Smoking is bad for your health. delay, dislike, don’t mind, enjoy, finish, give up, hate,
keep, like, practice, prefer, put off, recommend,
b- Doing homework is boring. regret, spend time, suggest, waste time.
c- Listening to Quran is very calming. a- He admitted committing the crime.
d- Do you enjoy swimming? b- I avoid eating salty foods.
e- My favourite activity is using my smartphone. c- I can’t stand people speaking around me.
f- What he really enjoys is playing video games. d- He delayed doing the homework.
2. After prepositions. e- I dislike having to work in the weekend.
f- I regret not studying hard.
a- After having a shower, he immediately went to bed.
g- I recommend reading this book.
b- How did she react on hearing the news.
h- I spent some time searching for trusted information.
c- He tells jokes without laughing.
THE INFINITIVE
We can use the infinitive ( to + base form of a verb ) to:
1. To explain the aim or purpose of an action 2. After certain verbs such as: afford, agree, aim,
(= in order to). arrange, want, plan, need, decide, help, hope, tend,
teach, learn, refuse, promise, would like.
a- I went to the bank (this is what I did) to withdraw
some money. (this is why I did it). a- Can you afford to buy a new car?
b- He studies hard to get good results. b- They agreed to finish the project by tomorrow.
c- I gave up eating cake to lose weight. c- I can’t stand people speaking around me.
d- I called her to ask for some advice. d- He delayed doing the homework.
e- You should exercise daily to stay healthy. e- I dislike having to work in the weekend.
f- I regret not studying hard.
g- I recommend reading this book.
h- I spent some time searching for trusted information.
THE INFINITIVE & THE GERUND
1. Some verbs can be followed by (the gerund) or (to + base form) without a difference in meaning, e.g. begin/start,
prefer, can’t stand, like, continue.
a- I started to watch / watching the film. d- Children like eating / to eat candy.
b- Samah prefers reading / to read mystery stories. e- You continued talking / to talk patiently.
c- Samah can’t stand cooking / to cook for long hours.
2. Some verbs can be followed by (the gerund) or (to + base form) but the meaning changes, e.g. remember, forget,
stop, try, regret.
a- Remember to buy some milk! ‘To buy’ refers to the action itself.
I remember having to stay at home because of Covis-19. ‘Having’ refers to a memory of a past action.
b- I tried to open the door! ‘Tried to’ means that I made some effort, but didn’t succeed.
Try using ice to relieve the pain in your feet. ‘Try using’ means to do it as an experiment.
c- We stopped to fill up gas! The stopping was momentary to do something else.
We stopped eating junk food. The stopping was permanent.
d- We regret to tell you that you can’t continue working here. Regret means sorry.
He regretted leaving college. Regret means not being happy about it.
Exercise
to study
1. I intend __________________ (study) harder for the final exams.
to help
2. The man refused __________________ (help) them.
travelling
3. We still remember__________________ (travel) in the jungles of Africa.
Exercising
4. __________________ is good for your health. (exercise)
turning on
5. Would you mind __________________ the air conditioner? (turn on)
to finish
6. She promised __________________ the report very soon. (finish)
explaining
7. I had a difficult time __________________ the situation to my husband. (explain)
reading
8. She had some problems __________________ without glasses. (read)
smoking
9. Paul gave up __________________ five years ago. (smoke)
watching
10. She always wastes her time __________________ silly videos. (watch)
Exercise
to submit
11. Don’t forget __________________ the answers when you finish. (submit)
to go
12. She asked me __________________ with her to the hospital. (go)
Playing
13. __________________ video games all the time is harmful to your brain. (play)
cheating
14. Nuha admitted __________________ in the final exam. (cheat)
to study
15. The teacher reminded us __________________ irregular verbs. (study)
to do
16. The student refused __________________ what his classmate said. (do)
washing
17. Bana really hates __________________ the dishes. (wash)
to walk
18. How long does it take you __________________ to the university? (walk)
to see
19. He demanded __________________ the minister. (see)
to lend
20. They offered __________________ us their car. (lend)
Online Quizzes For Practice
https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/gerunds-and-infinitives-exercise-1.html
https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/gerunds-and-infinitives-exercise-2.html
https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/gerunds-and-infinitives-exercise-3.html
https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/gerunds-and-infinitives-exercise-4.html
