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
In English, after certain verbs, we can use either a gerund (verb + -ing) or an infinitive (to + verb). Knowing which form to use is important for correct English.
1. What are Gerunds and Infinitives?
| Form | How to make it | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Gerund | verb + -ing | playing, reading, swimming, eating |
| Infinitive | to + base verb | to play, to read, to swim, to eat |
2. Verbs followed by Gerund (Verb + -ing)
Some verbs are always followed by a gerund. Here are the most common ones:
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| enjoy | I enjoy reading books. |
| finish | She finished doing her homework. |
| suggest | He suggested going to the park. |
| avoid | You should avoid eating too much sugar. |
| admit | They admitted making a mistake. |
| mind | Do you mind opening the window? |
| practice | Practice speaking English every day. |
| keep | Keep trying and you will succeed. |
| risk | Do not risk losing your chance. |
3. Verbs followed by Infinitive (Verb + To + Verb)
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| want | I want to go to the cinema. |
| decide | She decided to study medicine. |
| hope | We hope to see you soon. |
| promise | He promised to help me. |
| agree | They agreed to come to the party. |
| learn | I am learning to drive. |
| need | You need to rest. |
| plan | We plan to travel next summer. |
| would like | I would like to visit Algiers. |
4. Verbs that can use BOTH with a change in meaning
| Verb | + Gerund | + Infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| stop | stop doing (arreter de faire) I stopped smoking. |
stop to do (s arreter pour faire) I stopped to smoke. |
| remember | remember doing (se souvenir d avoir fait) I remember meeting him. |
remember to do (ne pas oublier de faire) Remember to buy milk. |
| forget | forget doing (oublier avoir fait) I will never forget seeing that. |
forget to do (oublier de faire) He forgot to call me. |
| try | try doing (essayer pour voir) Try adding some salt. |
try to do (essayer avec effort) Try to finish your work. |
5. Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Complete the sentences with the correct form (gerund or infinitive).
- I enjoy _______________ (listen) to music.
- She wants _______________ (become) a doctor.
- He suggested _______________ (go) to the beach.
- They decided _______________ (stay) at home.
- Do you mind _______________ (wait) for a moment?
- I promise _______________ (help) you with your project.
Exercise 2: Choose the correct form.
- I stopped (to buy / buying) some bread on my way home. (I was driving and went to the shop)
- I stopped (to buy / buying) cigarettes last year. (I quit smoking)
- Please remember (to lock / locking) the door when you leave.
- I remember (to visit / visiting) this museum when I was a child.
6. Summary
- Gerund (verb + -ing): Used after enjoy, finish, suggest, avoid, mind, practice, keep, risk.
- Infinitive (to + verb): Used after want, decide, hope, promise, agree, learn, need, plan, would like.
- Both possible: With stop, remember, forget, try – the meaning changes depending on which form you use.
- Practice is the key to mastering gerunds and infinitives!
Similar Lessons
- Comparative and Superlative Adjectives — Grammar Rules — English 4th Year Middle School
- Second Conditional (If Clause Type 2) — Grammar Rules — English 4th Year Middle School
