Gerunds and Infinitives in English: Rules and Examples

Gerunds and Infinitives in English

Gerunds (verb + -ing used as noun)

Used as subject: Swimming is fun. After prepositions: Thank you for coming. After certain verbs: enjoy, avoid, finish, suggest, mind, practice.

• I enjoy reading books.
• She avoided talking to him.
• He finished writing the report.

Infinitives (to + base verb)

Used to express purpose: I came to help. After certain verbs: want, need, hope, plan, decide, promise, offer.

• I want to learn English.
• She hopes to visit Paris.
• He decided to study harder.

Verbs that take both (with change in meaning)

• Stop + gerund: stop doing (cease the action)
• Stop + infinitive: stop to do (pause in order to do)
• Remember + gerund: recall a past action
• Remember + infinitive: not forget a future action

Exercise

Complete with gerund or infinitive:

1. I enjoy (read) books.
2. She wants (travel) abroad.

See Comparative and Superlative and Wh-Questions.