This document discusses the differences between infinitives and gerunds in English grammar. It provides examples of verbs that are followed by infinitives, verbs that are followed by gerunds, and verbs that can be followed by either with or without changes in meaning. Key points covered include what infinitives and gerunds are, when to use each, and how the meaning can change depending on whether an infinitive or gerund is used after certain verbs.

1. Grammar for PET:
Infinitive or –ing form?
Katie Dirksmeier

2. Infinitives and gerunds:
One, the other, or both?
 What is an infinitive?
 What is a gerund?
 Gerunds
can also be called…
 When do we use each of them?
 Example
sentences?

3. Infinitive or gerund?
(verb + verb)
 You decide whether to use the infinitive or the
gerund depending on:


The first verb that you used
What you want to say
 In this presentation:
 Verbs that are always/only followed by the infinitive
 Verbs that are always/only followed by the gerund
 Verbs that can be followed by either the gerund or infinitive
without a change in meaning
 Verbs that can be followed by either the gerund or infinitive
with a change in meaning depending on which is used

4. Verbs that are followed by the infinitive
Discussion Verbs
Optimistic Verbs
Hope
Expect*
Plan
Agree
Wish
Want
Promise
Would like*
Would love*
Help*
Offer
Intend
Aim
Ask*
Remind**
Pretend
Appear
Convince**
Tell**
Teach**
Invite**
Warn**
Order**
Instruct**
Urge**
>We promise to do our chores after dinner.
Hypothetical Verbs
Persuade**
>My mom reminded me to take
out the trash on my way out.
Unfulfilled Verbs
Fail
Need*
Seem
Refuse
>She pretended to be asleep.
>Sam refuses to eat anything that isn’t green.
Think of some example sentences with the starred verbs:
What do you notice? Why do you think they are starred?

5. Verbs (+ object) + infinitive form

Followed by infinitive and
sometimes have object:


Ask
Expect











>meaning w/object?

Help
Want
Would like
Would love
Would hate
Would prefer
When do you use an object
pronoun? Example?
Followed by infinitive and
ALWAYS have object:







Force
Instruct
Invite
Order
Persuade
Remind
Teach
Tell
Warn
The object can be in the
form of the passive voice…

6. Verb + Infinitive: Negative form
 They agreed to leave.
 Change
stay.”
the sentence so it means “They agreed to
 In the negative, the form becomes:
OR
verb1 + not + infinitive
verb1 + object + not + infinitive
(if there is an object)

7. Expressions with the Infinitive
 To be about

Peter was about to start his homework when the phone
rang.
 To do (one’s) best

I did my best to arrive on time, but somehow I was late
again.
 To make up (one’s) mind

Sally made up her mind to do whatever necessary to win the
contest.
 To set out

Gary packed his things and set out to make the long journey
back to the campsite.

8. Gerund (-ing form)
Pessimistic Verbs
Other Discussion Verbs
Avoid
Consider
Dislike
Discuss
Deny
Recommend
Miss
Suggest
Quit
Insist on
Regret
Other Verbs That Are Followed by
the Gerund Form
Admit
Imagine
Delay
Involve
Enjoy
Keep
Feel like
Mind/Not Mind
Finish

9. Verb + Gerund: Negative form
 I dislike having a lot of homework.
 Can
you make this sentence negative so that it
means you enjoy having lots of assignments?
 In the negative, the form becomes:
verb1 + not + gerund

10. Expressions with the Gerund Form
 To be against
 Michael
was against cheating of any kind.
 To be interested in
 Over
the summer, Erica became very interested in
knitting and sewing.
 Can’t stand
 Alex
can’t stand talking during movies and always
tries to silence anyone chatting in the cinema.
 To look forward to
I
look forward to hearing from you soon.

11. Verbs Followed by Infinitive or Gerund
 We can use either the infinitive or the gerund
with little or no change in meaning:
 Begin
 Continue
 Like
 Love
 Prefer
These verbs MUST have an object when
used with the infinitive…Why?
•Advise
•Allow
•Encourage
•Forbid
 Hate
•Permit
 Start
•Recommend

12. Verbs with Meaning Changes:
 Remember to:


Remember to lock the
door.
= an action that is
necessary.
 Remember –ing:


I remember locking the
door.
= an action in the past.

13. Verbs with Meaning Changes:
 Forget to:


Don’t forget to phone
me.
= an action that is
necessary.
 Forget –ing:


I’ll never forget meeting
her.
= an action in the past.

14. Verbs with Meaning Changes:
 Try to:


Try to get to the concert
as soon as possible so you
get a seat.
= if you can, something
you should do
 Try –ing:


Try adding a bit more salt
to make the spinach taste
better.
= an experiment,
suggestion

15. Verbs with Meaning Changes:
 Stop to:


She stopped to eat some
chocolate.
= she stopped because
she wanted to eat some
chocolate
 Stop –ing:


She stopped eating
chocolate.
= she no longer eats
chocolate; an activity that
is no longer occurring,
finished, or paused

16.  http://www.e-grammar.org/infinitive-gerund/
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHmMzCic