One of the difficulties of the English language is that some verbs are followed by the gerund (ex : doing) and others are followed by theinfinitive (ex : to do). Other verbs, however, can be followed by both.
Generally speaking we can use the following rules:
| Examples | Rules | Explanations |
|---|
| Verb + gerund | 1. I enjoy playing
2. I denied stealing | Often we use the gerund for an action that happens before or at the same time as the action of the main verb. | 1. I enjoy myself at the time of playing.
2. I deny having stolen anything before. |
| Verb + infinitive | 1. I decided to visit my uncle
2. I want to go out | Often we use the infinitive for actions that follow the action of the main verb. | 1. Visiting my uncle was an action of my decision. It comes after.
2. What I want (now) is to go out (after/later) |
These rules are helpful but DO NOT always explain all uses of gerunds and infinitives.
Verbs that can be followed by a gerund (ex: doing)
1- After verbs that express likes/dislikes :
- like
- love
- enjoy
- dislike
- hate
- don't mind
- can't stand
- can't bear
Example:
" I like playing soccer but I hate boxing."
2- After certain other verbs, such as :
- admit
- appreciate
- allow
- avoid
- advise
- consider
- deny
- delay
- understand
- finish
- fancy
- go (in go swimming)
- involve
- keep
- mention
- mind
- stop
- waste time/money
- imagine
- involve
- keep (on)
- mention
- miss
- postpone
- permit
- practice
- suggest
- resist
- reject
- risk
- can't help
- can't stand
Example:
" I suggest going to the theater."
3- After prepositions :
interested in ...
instead of ...
good at ...
before ...
after ...
Example:
"I am interested in collecting stamps."
"After playing football I drank an orange juice".
4- After certain expressions :
it's no use ...
it's no good ...
there's no point in ...
I can't help...
I don't mind...
I can't stand/bear...
Example:
" It's no use convincing him to revise his lessons. He's so stubborn."
Verbs that can be followed by an infinitive ( ex : to do)
1- After verbs that refer to a future event:
- want
- hope
- aim
- intend
- arrange
- attempt
- promise
- be determined
- plan
- consent
- decide
- demand
- deserve
- determine
- endeavor
- expect
- offer
- proceed
- promise
- threaten
- swear
- volunteer
- want
- would like
- would hate
- would love
Example:
" I want to finish my work early.
2- After certain other verbs, such as:
- afford
- agree
- help
- choose
- fail
- happen
- refuse
- manage
- need
- seem
- learn
- choose
- pretend
Example:
"She refused to forgive him."
3- After adjectives :
- glad
- pleased
- disappointed
Example:
"I'm glad to know that you passed the exam."
"I'm pleased to meet you."
"I'm disappointed to hear that you flunked maths."
4- After "too" & "enough":
too difficult
easy enough
Example:
"It's too difficult to convince him to be helpful."
" But it's easy enough to fool him to get what you want."
Verbs that can be followed by both an infinitive and a gerund:
Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive. Here are some examples:
- start
- begin
- stop
- remember...
Example:
"I started smoking when I was young."
"I started to smoke when I left the office."
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