This document discusses the use of gerunds and infinitives when verbs are used nominally. Gerunds end in "-ing" and act as nouns, while infinitives use "to" before the verb. Some verbs are followed by gerunds or infinitives depending on their meaning, such as "try" followed by a gerund for experimenting and an infinitive for general purposes. Verbs like "start" refer to a long process with a gerund and something more general with an infinitive. Care must be taken with verbs like "remember" and "forget" which use gerunds for past actions and infinitives for present or future.

1. GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES
When we need to use a verb in a nominal form, that is, a verb working
as a noun, it can take the form of a gerund or an infinitive.
LOOK:
I like TV series. I like watching TV in English.
It is important to practice my listening skills.
Speaking is very important, too.

2. INFINITIVES
We use the infinitive (to play, to be...)

After some verbs: decide, help, learn, need, offer, plan,
pretend, promise, start, want, would like...
I want to learn English.

After adjectives:
It's important not to be shy.

Infinitive of pourpose: to say why you do something.
I want to learn English to communicate with many people.

3. GERUNDS
We use the gerund (V-ing)

After some verbs: enjoy, like, love, hate, spend, don't mind...
I enjoy reading.

After prepositions:
I am interested in knowing new cultures.

As the subject of a sentence:
Learning English is great!

4. VERBS FOLLOWED BY GERUND OR INFINITIVE
Be careful! Some verbs can be followed by gerund or inf:
Try:

Followed by gerund: experiment. Try turning it off.

Followed by inf: general meaning. Try not to make noise!
Remember/ forget:

With gerund: it reffers to the past. Do you remember
learning to walk?

With inf: to the present or future. Don't forget to get your
keys!

5. VERBS FOLLOWED BY GERUND OR INFINITIVE
Start.

Followed by gerund, it reffers to a long process: I started
working here 10 years ago.

Inf: more general. It started to rain.

6. VERBS FOLLOWED BY GERUND OR INFINITIVE
Start.

Followed by gerund, it reffers to a long process: I started
working here 10 years ago.

Inf: more general. It started to rain.