1. Uses of Infinitive & Gerund

A. Uses of Infinitive (with to):

  • 1. To express purpose:
    • Simple Explanation: Used to explain why someone does something.
    • New Example: She went to the store to buy some milk.
  • 2. After certain verbs:
    • Verbs: agree, appear, help, manage, need, refuse, expect, hope, decide, promise, afford, ask, offer, learn, choose, want.
    • New Example: They agreed to meet at the library.
  • 3. After (would like – would love – would prefer):
    • New Example: I would prefer to stay home tonight.
  • 4. After adjectives:
    • Adjectives: happy, sad, glad, willing, eager, reluctant, lucky, fortunate.
    • New Example: She was happy to receive the gift.
  • 5. With the structure (It + be + adjective / noun + to inf.):
    • New Example: It was easy to solve the puzzle.
  • 6. After (too & enough):
    • New Example: It isn't warm enough to swim today.
    • New Example: The problem is too difficult to handle.
  • 7. To talk about a surprise or unexpected event (esp. with 'only'):
    • New Example: I finally got home only to find that I had forgotten my keys at work.
  • 8. After (be + the first / second / next / last ... etc.):
    • New Example: Ahmed was the first to arrive at the party.
  • 9. After the expressions (ask / learn / explain / decide / find out / want to know) + Q.Word:
    • New Example: He's learned how to fix electronics.
  • Note: After 'and' or 'or' the 'to' of the second infinitive can be omitted.
    • New Example: I would like to go and see what is happening on there.

B. Uses of Infinitive without to (bare infinitive):

  • 1. After modal verbs:
    • New Example: Lilly can speak German and Italian.
  • 2. After the structures (Let / Make / See / Hear) + someone + do:
    • New Example: Dad never lets me go out alone.
  • 3. After (had better) & (would rather):
    • New Example: We had better leave now.
  • 4. The verb 'help' can be followed by (to inf.) or (bare inf.):
    • New Example: She helped me choose the furniture. / She helped me to choose the furniture.

C. Uses of the –ing form (Gerund):

  • 1. As a noun:
    • New Example: Smoking is very bad for your health.
  • 2. After prepositions:
    • New Example: He is thinking of quitting his job.
  • 3. After certain verbs:
    • Verbs: admit, appreciate, continue, deny, fancy, imagine, mind, miss, quit, save, suggest, practice, prevent, feel like, detest, adore, avoid, consider, enjoy, finish, hate, like, dislike, love, prefer, risk, can't stand.
    • New Example: I don't mind doing the housework for mum.
  • 4. After (spend – waste – lose) + (time) or (money):
    • New Example: He spent a lot of money redecorating the house.
  • 5. After the preposition (to) in the following phrases:
    • Look forward to β†’ I look forward to spending a holiday on the beach.
    • Be used to β†’ We are used to working hard before the exams.
    • Get accustomed to β†’ Soon, you'll get accustomed to waking up early.
    • In addition to β†’ In addition to putting on weight, fats weaken your heart.
    • Object to β†’ She objected to working on the project alone.
    • Prefer (ing) to (ing) β†’ I prefer swimming to playing football.
  • 6. After expressions such as:
    • Be busy β†’ He is busy working in his office.
    • It's no use β†’ It's no use talking to him. He's stubborn.
    • It's (no) good β†’ It's good waking up early. / It's no good talking like that.
    • It's (not) worth β†’ That's a valuable watch. It is worth having.
    • What's the use of β†’ What's the use of talking to the boss? He never listens.
    • Can't help β†’ Sorry! I can't help laughing whenever I see you.
    • There's no point in β†’ There is no point in going there alone.
    • Can't stand β†’ I can't stand waiting anymore.
    • Have difficulty (in) β†’ I think she has difficulty bringing up the two children.
    • Have trouble β†’ Do you have any trouble understanding my point of view?
  • 7. After the verbs (hear, listen, notice, see, watch ...etc) to describe witnessing an incomplete action:
    • New Example: I heard Marian screaming. (I don't know what happened next)
  • Note: With verbs of senses (see, hear, watch, notice) we can use two patterns:
    • see, hear, watch, notice β†’ 'inf.' (The action is completed)
      • New Example: I watched the children cross the street. (I saw them as they reached the other side.)
    • see, hear, watch, notice β†’ '-ing' (The action is in progress)
      • New Example: I watched the children crossing the street. (I didn't see what happened next)

D. Verbs that are followed by either infinitive or Gerund:

  • stop – remember – forget – try – regret
  • Stop + (infinitive) = (stop doing something in order to do another)
    • New Example: I stopped to drink coffee. (= I took a break so as to drink some coffee)
  • Stop + (gerund) = (give up doing something – no longer does something)
    • New Example: I stopped drinking coffee. (= I no longer drink coffee. I gave it up)
  • Remember + (infinitive) = (remember that you have to do something)
    • New Example: I remembered to buy the book. (= I remembered that I should buy it)
  • Remember + (gerund) = (do something then remembered later that you did it)
    • New Example: I remember buying that book. (= I bought it and remember this now)
  • Forget + (infinitive) = (not remember to do something)
    • New Example: Oops! I forgot to close the door. I must go back. (= I made a mistake)
  • Forget + (gerund) = (unable to recall something – can't recall it to his memory)
    • New Example: Did you forget visiting this place with us? (= Can't you recall this memory?)
  • Try + (infinitive) = (to make an effort or do your best with something difficult)
    • New Example: I tried to open the window. (= I made an effort to open it)
  • Try + (gerund) = (to make a trial or as an experiment – to see what will happen)
    • New Example: I tried opening the window. (= I wanted to see what will happen next)
  • Regret + (infinitive) = (to feel sorry that you have to say or do something)
    • New Example: I regret to inform you that you didn't pass the exam. (= I feel sorry to say this)
  • Regret + (gerund) = (to do something then you feel sorry you've done it)
    • New Example: I regret going to that party. (= I went there and now I am sorry I did)