Gerunds and infinitives in English: choosing the right verb form

In English, the infinitive and gerund are essential grammatical forms used to construct sentences with different shades of meaning. The infinitive is typically placed between two verbs (though there are exceptions), while the gerund can function as a noun or follow an adjective. When should you use one form over the other? Which words require the infinitive, and which take the gerund? How do these forms affect the meaning of a sentence? This article explores these questions with clear examples and explanations.

Contents

1. General information
2. Words that are followed only by the gerund
3. Words that are followed only by the infinitive
4. Words that are followed by either gerund or infinitive: table
5. Difference between gerund/infinitive and bare infinitive
6. The exercise to practice gerunds and infinitives
7. FAQs

General information

When studying the topic of gerunds and infinitives in English, a common question arises: when and how should they be used? Now is the perfect time to figure this out.

A gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing (e.g., reading, singing). 

An infinitive is the base form of a verb, answering the question “What to do?”. The key feature of the infinitive is the particle to (e.g., to eat, to sleep).

Both forms are used in specific grammatical contexts, so it is essential to understand how to use them correctly in speaking or writing.

Words that are followed only by the gerund

The gerund verb form is used in the following cases:

1. As nouns (subjects or objects) of a sentence:

Learning languages is exciting.

“Learning” acts as the subject because it refers to the activity being discussed.

2. After prepositions:

• apologize for;
• be interested in;
• have difficulty in; 
• look forward to;
• succeed in.

He apologized for being late. 

The preposition “for” requires the gerund “being”.

3. After the following expressions:

• it’s worth; 
• it’s no use;
• can’t help; 
• it’s pointless; 
• be/get used to; 
• be busy.

It’s worth learning English.

4. After certain words, some verbs and expressions in English require only the gerund. The table below shows the most common cases with examples:

Words that are followed only by the infinitive

The infinitive verb form is used in the following cases:

1. After adjectives:

I’m happy to help you with your project.

2. After “only” to emphasize negative result:

The girl opened the box, only to find it empty.

3. After questions words:

• how;
• what;
• where, etc.

He asked me where to go next.

4. After “something”, “nothing”, “anything”:

I have something to tell you.

5. After “the last”, “the first”, “the only”:

She was the first to arrive at the party.

6. In some set expressions, like “to be honest”, “to tell the truth”:

To be honest, I didn’t enjoy the movie.

7. In “too + adjective”, “adjective + enough” constructions:

She is old enough to make his own decisions.

8. To express purpose (why you do something):

I went on holiday to relax.

9. After the following verbs, the infinitive is used in English, not the gerund. Let's take a look at the table below:

Words that are followed by either gerund or infinitive: table

Some expressions and words allow both verb forms to follow them. However, their meaning can change depending on the form chosen. The gerund often focuses on the action itself (its process or fact), while the infinitive emphasizes the result or purpose. For example, these constructions can refer to memory, intentions, starting, continuing, or stopping an action.

Difference between gerund/infinitive and bare infinitive

In addition to the forms we discussed, there is another verb form in English — the bare infinitive or the infinitive without the particle “to” (e.g., go, do). This verb form will be used instead of the full infinitive or gerund in English in the following cases:

• after modals “can”, “must”, “should”:
  She can swim well.

• after “let”, “make”:
  They made her cry.

• after “had better”, “would rather/would sooner”:
  I’d rather read a book than watch TV.

The exercise to practice gerund and infinitive

Fill in the blanks by putting the verb in the correct form. To see the correct answer, click on the sentence you're interested in.

FAQs

1. What are the bare infinitive, gerund and infinitive in English?

• Gerund is a verb form ending in -ing (e.g., swimming, reading).
• Infinitive is the base form of the verb preceded by “to” (e.g., to eat, to walk).
• Bare infinitive is the infinitive without the particle “to” (e.g., play, sleep).

2. After which verbs is the gerund form used?

The gerund is used after certain verbs, for example:

• keep;
• finish;
• fancy, etc.

 They kept laughing at his jokes.

3. When is the infinitive used?

The infinitive is used before verbs that specifically require this form (e.g., hope, decide, learn) and verbs that express a person's goal or intention to do something (e.g., want, plan, decide).

I want to help you.

4. Are there verbs after which both the gerund and the infinitive can be used in English?

Yes, there are verbs after which both forms can be used, but the meaning may change depending on the form. For example:

1. remember;
2. stop;
3. forget.

• I remember soaking up the sun last summer.
• Remember to water the flowers tomorrow.