Mastering Gerunds and Infinitives: A Complete Guide to Usage and Examples

Struggling with when to use a gerund or an infinitive? You’re not alone. These verb forms are fundamental to fluent English but often cause confusion. This definitive guide simplifies Gerunds and infinitives, providing clear rules, essential tips for competitive exams, and 100 practical examples to master their usage and boost your grammar confidence instantly.

Introduction to Gerunds and Infinitives

The correct use of Gerunds and infinitives is a cornerstone of proficient English. These verb forms, while subtle, significantly impact the grammatical accuracy and natural flow of your speech and writing. Whether you are drafting an email, preparing for a competitive exam, or aiming for fluency, understanding the distinction between a gerund (the -ing form used as a noun) and an infinitive (the “to + verb” form) is crucial. This article will serve as your comprehensive resource, demystifying the rules and providing ample examples to ensure you can use Gerunds and infinitives with confidence.

Important Tips for Students and Exam Candidates:

1. Follow the Leader: Many verbs have a specific preference for being followed directly by either a gerund or an infinitive. Memorize common lists.
   • Verbs often followed by a gerund: admit, avoid, consider, deny, enjoy, finish, suggest, practice.
   • Verbs often followed by an infinitive: agree, choose, decide, expect, hope, learn, plan, promise, refuse.
2. Meaning Matters with “Stop,” “Remember,” “Forget,” and “Try”: These verbs can be followed by either, but the meaning changes dramatically.
   • Stop: He stopped smoking. (He quit the habit.) vs. He stopped to smoke. (He paused another activity to have a cigarette).
   • Remember: I remember locking the door. (Memory of a past action.) vs. Remember to lock the door. (A reminder for a future action).
3. Prepositions are Gerund’s Best Friend: When a verb comes after a preposition (e.g., in, on, at, of, about, for), it must always be in the gerund form.
   • Incorrect: He is worried about to fail.
   • Correct: He is worried about failing.
4. Subject Position: Both gerunds and infinitives can act as the subject of a sentence. Gerunds are more common as subjects in general statements.
   • Gerund Subject: Swimming is excellent exercise.
   • Infinitive Subject: To swim here is my dream.

100 Examples of Gerunds and Infinitives

1. She enjoys reading novels.
2. He wants to learn Spanish.
3. Smoking is prohibited.
4. It is important to study regularly.
5. I avoid eating junk food.
6. We decided to leave early.
7. She admitted taking the book.
8. He promised to help us.
9. They finished painting the house.
10. I hope to see you soon.
11. He suggested going for a walk.
12. She plans to start a business.
13. I dislike waiting in lines.
14. They agreed to pay the bill.
15. She practices playing the piano daily.
16. We cannot afford to buy a new car.
17. He denied breaking the window.
18. She needs to complete the assignment.
19. I miss living in the countryside.
20. He offered to drive me home.
21. Do you mind closing the window?
22. I have decided to quit my job.
23. She regrets saying those words.
24. We expect to arrive by noon.
25. He recommended watching that film.
26. They chose to ignore the warning.
27. She is considering moving abroad.
28. I will attempt to fix the computer.
29. He delayed submitting the report.
30. She threatened to call the police.
31. I appreciate hearing from you.
32. He deserves to win the award.
33. They discussed opening a new branch.
34. We managed to finish on time.
35. She postponed meeting her friend.
36. I prepared to give a speech.
37. He risked losing everything.
38. She seems to be tired.
39. I can’t stand listening to lies.
40. He volunteered to organize the event.
41. Dancing is her passion.
42. To err is human.
43. She is afraid of flying.
44. He is eager to begin.
45. They are tired of working.
46. We are ready to start.
47. She is good at solving puzzles.
48. He is determined to succeed.
49. I am interested in learning coding.
50. They were surprised to hear the news.
51. She apologized for being late.
52. He called to confirm his appointment.
53. We rely on having good weather.
54. I look forward to meeting you.
55. He consented to take the test.
56. She failed to notify the team.
57. They began building the house.
58. We started to feel anxious.
59. I hate wasting time.
60. She loves to travel.
61. He prefers driving to flying.
62. She would prefer to stay home.
63. I like reading comics.
64. She likes to read before bed.
65. He continued speaking.
66. We continued to work.
67. It began raining.
68. It began to rain.
69. Don’t forget to post the letter.
70. I’ll never forget seeing the ocean for the first time.
71. She stopped working at 5 PM.
72. He stopped to get some coffee.
73. I regret informing you that your application was unsuccessful.
74. We regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful.
75. She tried using a different password.
76. He tried to lift the heavy box.
77. The children went on chatting.
78. After the introduction, he went on to explain the main points.
79. I need to clean my room.
80. The car needs washing.
81. Your hair wants cutting.
82. She deserves to be praised.
83. He advised waiting for the storm to pass.
84. The doctor advised me to lose weight.
85. They allowed speaking in native language.
86. The teacher allowed us to use a calculator.
87. I saw him crossing the street.
88. I saw him cross the street and disappear.
89. She heard someone knocking at the door.
90. She heard him knock three times.
91. It’s no use crying over spilt milk.
92. It’s difficult to understand quantum physics.
93. My goal is to master English.
94. His favorite activity is hiking.
95. The instructions are to be followed carefully.
96. Writing clearly is a valuable skill.
97. To achieve greatness requires hard work.
98. I told her to be careful.
99. We encouraged him to apply for the job.
100. She warned us not to touch the wire.

FAQs on Gerunds and Infinitives

1. What is the main difference between a gerund and an infinitive?
A gerund is a verb ending in “-ing” that functions as a noun (e.g., “I love swimming“). An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by “to” (e.g., “I want to swim“). The key difference is their function in a sentence and the specific verbs that dictate their use.

2. When should I use a gerund after a verb?
You should use a gerund after specific verbs that typically require it. Common examples include: enjoy, avoid, consider, deny, finish, suggest, and mind. For instance, “I enjoy reading,” not “I enjoy to read.”

3. Can a gerund and an infinitive be used interchangeably?
Sometimes, but often with a change in meaning. Verbs like “stop,” “remember,” and “try” have different meanings depending on whether they are followed by a gerund or an infinitive. For example, “He stopped smoking” (quit the habit) vs. “He stopped to smoke” (paused an activity to smoke).

Conclusion on Gerunds and Infinitives
Mastering the use of Gerunds and infinitives is an achievable goal that will markedly improve your English grammar. By learning the key verb lists, understanding the critical role of prepositions, and paying attention to verbs that change meaning, you can navigate this area with ease. Consistent practice with examples like the 100 provided here will solidify your understanding and ensure you use these verb forms correctly in any context, from casual conversation to high-stakes competitive examinations.

Disclaimer on Gerunds and Infinitives
This article is intended for educational purposes. Grammar rules can have exceptions, and usage can vary. For specific exam preparation, always refer to the prescribed syllabus and recommended textbooks.

Also Read: Between vs Among: A Clear-Cut Guide to Proper Usage

Active vs Passive Voice: A Guide to Clear and Powerful Writing