Gerunds vs Infinitives
Choosing between verb + -ing and verb + to + base
When to Use Gerunds vs Infinitives
- •Gerund after: enjoy, finish, avoid, suggest, mind, keep, consider, practice.
- •Infinitive after: want, need, decide, plan, hope, agree, refuse, learn.
- •Both (same meaning): start, begin, continue, like, love, hate, prefer.
- •Both (different meaning): stop, remember, forget, try, regret.
- •After prepositions: always gerund (interested in learning, good at swimming).
How to Form Gerunds vs Infinitives
Affirmative (+)
Verb + gerund (verb-ing) OR Verb + infinitive (to + base verb)
Negative (-)
Verb + not + gerund; Verb + not + to + base verb
Question (?)
Do you enjoy + gerund? Do you want + infinitive?
💡 After prepositions, always use gerund. Some verbs change meaning with gerund vs infinitive.
Examples of Gerunds vs Infinitives
✓I enjoy reading.
✗I enjoy to read.
Enjoy takes gerund.
✓She wants to leave.
✗She wants leaving.
Want takes infinitive.
✓I stopped smoking.
✗I stopped to smoke (different meaning).
Stop + gerund = quit; stop + infinitive = pause to do something.
Common Mistakes with Gerunds vs Infinitives
💡 Practice Tips for Gerunds vs Infinitives
- • Memorize common verbs: enjoy/avoid/finish → gerund; want/need/decide → infinitive.
- • After prepositions: always gerund.
- • Stop/remember/forget/try change meaning: learn both uses.
- • When unsure, check if there's a preposition → gerund.
Quick Quiz
Grammar sorted. Now grow your vocabulary.