THE GERUND AND THE INFINITIVE
AFTER VERBS
I.Here are some common verbs that are followed by the Gerund
avoid practise imagine enjoy appreciate*
escape keep fancy detest understand*
deny finish mind resent excuse*
mention delay miss recall forgive*
suggest postpone risk recollect pardon*
can’t help ( stand , resist , face )
E.g :We must avoid hurting other people’s feelings
James suggested going to the movies
I can’t stand seeing you bite your nails
+NOTE :The berbs marked (*) are nearly always followed by a possessive Adj / noun in the
Possessive case + Gerund .
E.g :Please excuse ( forgive , pardon ) my disturbing you .
II.Here are some common verbs that are followed by the Infinitive :
afford choose help offer swear
agree decide hesistate prepare threaten
appear expect hope pretend undertake
arrange fail learn promise want
ask happen manage refuse wish
E.g :He agreed to come with us .
She chose to stay at home that evening .
They promised not to be late
III.Here are some common verbs that are followed either by the Gerund or the Infinitive
*Group 1 : Either the gerund or the Infinitive may be used after these verbs , but there is often a difference of meaning .
begin like remember intend
start love forget propose
continue adore prefer mean
cease dislike dread omit
stop hate regret can’t bear
E.g : He began to see the truth .
I must remember to post the letter .
I remember seeing her when I was a little girl .
*Group 2 :The Gerund or a Personal object + Infinitive follows these verbs in the active voice ; in the passive voice only the Infinitive is used .
advise allow forbid require
admit consider permit
E.g :He doesn’t allow talking in this room .
He doesn’t allow us to talk in this room .
We aren’t allowed to talk in this room
*Group 3 :The Gerund used after these verbs in equivalent to the Passive Infinitive . ( The gerund is the only form used after TO BEAR )
need want require deserve bear
E.g :My shirt needs mending ( needs to be mended )


OTHER USES OF THE GERUND AND THE INFINITIVE
I. The Gerund is used after Prepositions and after nearly all two – word verbs :
E.g :I’m tired of meeting the same people every day .
People can’t live without eating and drinking .
*NOTE :The Infinitive , general without TO , is used after the Prepositions BUT , EXCEPT ,THAN and TO
( in BE ABOUT TO , OUGHT TO , USED TO )
E.g : He did nothing else than laugh .
I used to live alone , but I don’t now .
II.The Gerund is used after these expressions :IT’S NO GOOD , IT’S NO USE , IT ISN’T WORTHWHILE , BE WORTH , BE NEAR , BE BUSY , FEEL LIKE , THERE IS ( NO , LITTLE , MUCH , NOTHING LIKE )
E.g :It’s no good talking to him .
She was very near dying
III.The Gerund may follow Possessive Adjectives ( MY , YOUR , HIS ….)and nouns in the Possessive case.These Adjectives and nouns are the subject of the Gerund .
E.g :His having won the prize made him very happy .
Would you mind my opening the window ?
IV.The Infinitive with TO is used after most Intransitive verbs to express a purpose , an intention or a result .
E.g :We stopped to have a rest .
You will live to regret it .
V.The Infinitive is used after most Transitive verbs in the pattern S + V + O + infinitive
E.g : I forbid you to go there again .
* NOTE :The Infinitive without TO is used after verbs of Perception ( SEE , HEAR , WATCH , FEEL , SMELL , NOTICE , OBSERVE …) and such verbs as LET , MAKE , HAVE .
E.g :Did you see him go out .
VI.the Infinitive with TO is used after HOW , WHEN , WHERE , WHAT , WHICH ,…. As the equivalent of noun clauses .
E.g :Would you please show me how to do this ?
VII.The Infinitive with TO is used after Nouns , Indefinite , Pronouns , Adjectives and Adverbs as their Modifier .
E.g :You are very kind to say so .
One is never too old to learn .
EXERCISE
Put the verbs between brackets in their correct Infinitive or Gerund form :
1.The children are busy ( collect ) shellss on the beach .
2.She had to ask the boys ( stop) ( make ) noise .
3.Our teacher has promised ( help ) us ( prepare ) for the exam .
4.I’d love ( have