Transcript Gerunds and infinitives

Gerunds and infinitives
A guide for level B2 students
At this stage, you know:
• that when one verb follows another, the
first verb determines the form of the
second.
• This can be the gerund (verb + ing)
• Or the infinitive (with or without to)
When to use the gerund
• After certain verbs you always need the
gerund:
• admit, avoid, enjoy, fancy, finish, risk,
regret, begin, miss, imagine, suggest
Certain expressions
• I can’t stand working in an office!
• I can’t help falling in love with you!
• No more complaining!
After phrasal verbs
• Give up smoking.
• Keep on dancing!
• Take up gardening.
• I look forward to meeting you.
The infinitive 1.
(with to)
• After certain verbs including:
• Agree, appear, offer, be able to, decide,
expect, promise, refuse, seem, threaten,
want, need, plan, manage, learn, help
The infinitive 2
(without to)
• After modal verbs: can, can’t, may, might must,
should, had better, would rather, make and let.
• We should do this more often.
• My boss makes me work hard all week.
• She lets me leave early on Fridays.
I like cooking v. I like to cook?
• In the past, you probably learnt that after
verbs such as “like”, it’s better to use the
gerund.
• but, you may have noticed that in fact,
verbs such as like, love and prefer can be
followed by either the gerund or the
infinitve.
As a guideline...
• The gerund is more common when talking
generally, while the infinitive is more specific:
• I like going out ( in general)
• I like to go out on a Saturday night (specific).
• I don’t like cooking (in general)
• But I like to cook for my partner sometimes
(more specific).
No change in meaning
• I began studying French when I was 14
• I began to study French when I was 14
• I started driving when I was 17.
• I started to drive when I was 17.
• I continued studying after work.
• I continued to study after work.
Change in meaning
(you have to learn these)
Please remember to buy some bread!
I remember buying sweets after school.
I forgot to do my English homework.
I’ll never forget seeing her for the first time.
I stopped going to German classes.
I stopped to talk to my friend in the street.
Change in meaning
• Try to finish work early on Friday so we
can go away for the weekend.
• Try finishing work early on Friday (to see if
you feel better)
• I try to do yoga twice a week, but
sometimes I only go once.
• Why don’t you try doing yoga once a
week?
Change in meaning
• I need to clean my car.
• The car needs cleaning (passive
contruction)
• My teacher made me work hard.
• I was made to work hard at school.
If in doubt...
• More verbs are followed by the infinitive
than gerund.
• Remember phrasal verbs are always
follwed by the gerund.
• Use your intuition!