The document summarizes the differences between using the to-infinitive and gerund forms after verbs and in other contexts. It provides rules for when each is used, such as the to-infinitive expressing purpose or future events and the gerund being used as a subject or after prepositions. Examples are given to illustrate the proper use of the to-infinitive and gerund in sentences. A summary table is also included that outlines the main contexts where a to-infinitive or gerund would be used.

1. To-infinitive GERUND

2. To-infinitive + Gerund The to-infinitive after a verb often describes a future event. Eg: after hope, expect, promise, want, the event in the to-infintive comes after the activity or thought in the main verb: I hope to see you next week. Gerund describes an activity. We enjoyed seeing you last weekend.

3. afford / agree I agree to go to the Beijing trip this summer holiday. I can afford to buy this picture. learn / need We should learn to do housework. Human need to drink water.

4. Hope / wish I hope to meet Beckham in England. I wish to fly up high in the sky. Want / decide I want to do the homework today. I decide to buy this book.

5. Expect / fail We expect to pass the English exam. We failed to do the homework. Tell / want He wanted to tell her about his feelings.

6. Ask / decide I asked my mum to go shopping with me. I decided to go hiking this Sunday. Promise / refuse I promised my mother to finish my homework by 6pm. I refuse to invite Yumiko to my party.

7. No major difference in meaning Some verbs can be followed by either the to-infinitive or the gerund without any major difference in meaning: Mother Teresa started to live/living in the slums of Calcutta from 1948. Though she faced many problems, Mother Teresa continued to work/working for the poor. Begin Continue Start intend

8. Gerund ( general ), to-infinitive ( particular situation ) Some verbs are generally followed by the gerund when used in a general sense The to-infinitive is often used for a particular situation. (I like swimming) but I don ’ t like to swim ( on cold days). Love Like Hate Prefer

9. The Gerund is formed by adding ‘ ing ’ to the base form of a verb. swim  swimming eat  eating run  running

10. The Gerund can be used – As a noun E.g Running is my favourite sport. (subject) He tried running faster. (object) She was afraid of losing . (object of preposition)

11. Exercise (swim) _________is a very good form of exercise. I have some (shop) ______to do this afternoon. (learn) _________English takes a long time.

12. After adjectives + preposition accustomed to capable of fond of afraid of successful in good at tired of interested in E.g She is accustomed to training for many hours. He is good at running the 200 meters race

13. Exercise Mary is fond of _______ (sing). The boy soon became accustomed to _______ (work) hard. Are you afraid of _______ (play) the exciting electronic games. She is never tired of _______ (talk) about her clever son.

14. G1 – admit G2- avoid G3 – delay G4-deny G5-enjoy G6-finish G7 – keep G8-mind

15. Admit My brother admitted breaking the vase. Avoid I avoid walking on busy streets. Delay The school delayed opening this morning.

16. finish I finish doing my homework. Keep After 4 hours, he keeps standing there. Mind Would you mind lending your pen to me.

17. deny I deny that I am not good at singing. I deny doing a wrong thing I deny being late to school every day. I deny talking during the lesson. Enjoy I enjoy playing computer games.

18. After verbs admit can ’ t help dislike keep try finish advise keep enjoy appreciate mind avoid understand suggest forgive E.g John has finished repairing his bicycle. They enjoy walking in the evening. Mary dislikes swimming in winter.

19. Exercise He kept ________(run) till the end. She enjoys _______ (run) for competition. They dislike _______(drive) small cars. He avoided ________(answer) my question. Would you mind me ________ (smoke) in this room.

20. Bare infinitive Infinitive form without “ to ” After modal verbs (should, could, must..etc), “ had better ” and “ would rather ” We should respect people who are selfless and kind. You ’ d better prepare for the interview as you ’ ll be asked lots of questions. I ’ d rather go for a walk.

21. Bare infinitive – p111 2. After “ let ” and “ make ” Mother Teresa let the poor die in dignity. The teacher made him stay behind after school. 3. After She saw a man enter the room. I heard the boys quarrel with each other. Feel See Watch Notice Hear Listen to

22. Bare infinitive Infinitive form without “ to ” After modal verbs (should, could, must..etc), “ had better ” and “ would rather ” We should respect people who are selfless and kind. You ’ d better prepare for the interview as you ’ ll be asked lots of questions. I ’ d rather go for a walk.

23. Which is correct ? 1 I enjoy to swim. 2 I enjoy swimming . right

24. Which is correct ? 1 I want to study . 2 I want studying . right

25. Which is correct ? 1 I finish to eat . 2 I finish eating . right

26. Which is correct ? 1 I need to study . 2 I need studying . right

27. Which is correct ? 1 I hope to study . 2 I hope studying . right

28. Which is correct ? 1 I stopped to smoke . 2 I stopped smoking . right

29. Summary table for to-infinitive and gerund To infinitive Gerund (-ing forms) Use as subject Eg: To smoke is bad for you Use as subject (more common) Eg: smoking is bad for you. To say why we do things (purpose) Eg: I got up early to catch the 7am train. After prepositions (on, in, before, for, without, after … etc.) Eg: you can ’ t live without eating Eg: Thank you for listening . 3. After some verbs (eg: expect, afford, want, need, prepare, refuse, choose, fail, learn, promise, hesitate...etc) Eg: I expect to pass the exams. 3. After some verbs (eg: dislike, enjoy, practise, mind, avoid, consider, discuss, finish, keep, miss, suggest, keep, can ’ t help … etc) Eg: I ’ ll finish studying in June.

30. Summary table for to-infinitive and gerund To infinitive Gerund (-ing forms) 4. After some adjectives and nouns .( adj =easy, happy, glad, nice, excited, ready, difficult, dangerous ...etc; noun = work , money to spend, something to drink, different ways to protect her. … etc) Eg: She is ready to leave. (adj) Eg: I am glad to see you. (adj) Eg: I ’ ve got work to do. (n) After phrasal verbs Eg: I am not good at dancing . Eg: I am not interested in singing . Eg: John will give up smoking . 5. Some verbs can be followed by either gerund or to-infinitive Eg: I love going to school/ I love to go to school 5. eg: begin, continue, hate, love, start … etc.

31. Summary table for to-infinitive and gerund To infinitive Gerund (-ing forms) 6. used in general sense (eg: love, like, hate, prefer..etc) Eg: I like swimming. Used in particular situations Eg: I don ’ t like swimming on cold days. No + gerund Eg: No money, no talking. * Some words can use both to-infinitive and gerund with the same meaning. ( eg: love, like, begin, start, intend, continue..etc) Stop + gerund. Eg: stop talking, stop writing, stop walking … etc. * Some words can use both to-infinitive and gerund with different meaning. (Eg: remember, try..etc)