Unit 13: Gerunds and Infinitives
1. Theory Overview
Gerunds (Verb + -ing)
A gerund functions as a noun. We use it:
- After certain verbs: admit, avoid, consider, delay, deny, dislike, enjoy, finish, imagine, keep,mind, miss, postpone, practice, risk, suggest [1-3].
- After prepositions: interested in, good at, fond of, look forward to, apologize for, think about [1, 4].
- As the subject of a sentence: Swimming is good exercise [2, 5].
Infinitives (to + Verb)
An infinitive is the base form of the verb preceded by ‘to’. We use it:
- After certain verbs: agree, arrange, ask, decide, demand, expect, fail, hope, intend, learn, manage, offer, plan, promise, refuse, seem, want, wish, would like [2, 6, 7].
- After adjectives: It is difficult to learn, I am happyto see you.
- To express purpose: I went to the shop to buy milk.
Verbs taking both: Some verbs like begin, start, continue, like, love, hate, prefer can take both forms with little or no change in meaning [10, 11]. However, verbs like stop, try, remember, forget change meaning depending on the form used.
[Image: A chart divided into two columns. Left column titled ‘Gerunds’ showing icons of people ‘swimming’, ‘reading’, ‘shopping’. Right column titled ‘Infinitives’ showing icons representing ‘to plan’ (a calendar), ‘to hope’ (a thought bubble), ‘to offer’ (a gift). Caption:Visual guide distinguishing verbs followed by gerunds versus infinitives.]
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Categorization
Sort the followingverbs into the correct column: avoid, decide, finish, hope, mind, offer, plan, suggest [1, 2, 13].
| Followed by Gerund (V-ing) | Followed by Infinitive (to V) |
|---|
| 1. ____________________ | 5. ____________________ |
| 2. ____________________ | 6. ____________________ |
| 3. ____________________ | 7. ____________________ |
| 4. ____________________ | 8. ____________________ |
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence [14, 15].
1.I can’t afford ______ a new car this year. (a) buying (b) to buy
2. She suggested ______ to the cinema tonight. (a) going (b)to go
3. We decided ______ the weekend in Paris.(a) spending (b) to spend
4. Do you mind ______ the window? (a) opening (b) to open
5. He promised ______ late again. (a) not being (b) not to be
6. I enjoy ______ books about history. (a) reading (b) to read
7. They expect ______ at 5 PM. (a) arriving(b) to arrive
8. Have you finished ______ your homework? (a) doing (b) to do
Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct form (gerund or infinitive) of the verb in brackets [16-18].
1. My father enjoys ______ (garden) on weekends.
2. I want ______ (learn) how to play the guitar.
3. She avoided ______ (answer) my question.
4. We plan ______ (visit) Italy next summer.
5. He keeps ______ (talk) during the movie.
6. It is important ______ (exercise) regularly.
7. Would you like ______ (come) to dinner?
8. I miss ______ (live) near the beach.
[Image: A classroom scene where a teacher is pointing to a whiteboard. The whiteboard lists sentence starters like ‘I enjoy…’, ‘I want…’, ‘I promised…’. Students areraising hands. Caption: Practice using verbs of preference and intention in context.]
Exercise 4: Matching Halves
Match the beginning of the sentence with the correct ending [19, 20].
1. I am interested in… (a) to lock thedoor.
2. She refused… (b) learning Spanish.
3. He managed… (c) to tell him the truth.
4. We didn’t dare… (d) helping me with this?
5. Do you mind… (e) to climb the mountain.
6. It is dangerous… (f) seeing the doctor.
7. Don’t forget… (g) to drive fast on this road.
8. I postponed… (h) to help him.
Exercise 5: True or False
Decide if the sentence structure is grammatically Correct (True)or Incorrect (False) [21, 22].
1. I want going home now. (True / False)
2. She enjoys to play tennis. (True / False)
3. He denied stealing themoney. (True / False)
4. We agreed to meet at 6 o’clock. (True / False)
5. They discussed to move to a new house. (True / False)
6. I can’t stand waiting in long queues. (True / False)
7. It is easy understanding this lesson. (True / False)
8. He risked losing his job. (True / False)
Exercise 6: Prepositions and Gerunds
Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence, followed by a gerund [1, 23].
1. He is good (at/in) ______ (draw).
2. I am worried (about/for) ______ (fail) the test.
3. She apologized (of/for) ______ (be) late.
4. We are thinking (on/about) ______ (buy) a house.
5. He insisted (in/on) ______ (pay) for the meal.
6. Iam tired (of/with) ______ (work) so hard.
7. Areyou interested (on/in) ______ (join) the club?
8. She succeeded (in/at) ______ (pass) the exam.
