مدونة التربية و التعليم في الجزائر – دروس، فروض، نتائج امتحانات مدونة التربية والتعليم في الجزائر | تحضير الدروس، فروض واختبارات، نتائج البكالوريا وBEM، مسابقات التوظيف، والتوجيه المدرسي للطلاب وأولياء الأمور.
Gerunds and Infinitives: Usage Rules
A gerund is the -ING form of a verb used as a noun (e.g., “swimming”). An infinitive is TO + base form (e.g., “to swim”). Knowing when to use each is important.
When to use the gerund (-ING)
- As a subject: “Swimming is good exercise.”
- After prepositions: “He left without saying goodbye.”
- After certain verbs: enjoy, avoid, suggest, finish, mind, recommend, practice.
“I enjoy reading books.” - After expressions: can’t help, can’t stand, look forward to, it’s no use, it’s worth.
“I look forward to hearing from you.”
When to use the infinitive (TO + verb)
- To express purpose: “I went to the store to buy food.”
- After certain verbs: want, need, hope, plan, decide, promise, agree, refuse, learn.
“I want to learn English.” - After adjectives: happy, sad, glad, sorry, surprised, difficult, easy.
“I am happy to see you.” - After question words: how, what, where, when.
“I don’t know what to do.”
Verbs that can take both (with difference in meaning)
| Verb | + Gerund | + Infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| stop | I stopped smoking. (quit) | I stopped to smoke. (in order to) |
| remember | I remember meeting him. (past) | I remembered to meet him. (future) |
| forget | I forgot meeting him. (past) | I forgot to meet him. (not done) |
| try | Try pressing this button. (experiment) | Try to press the button. (attempt) |
Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with a gerund or infinitive:
- I enjoy __________ (play) football.
- He wants __________ (become) a doctor.
- She suggested __________ (go) to the cinema.
- They decided __________ (travel) abroad.
Learn more: Phrasal Verbs and Word Formation.