English – Gerunds and Infinitives: When to Use – BAC Literary Stream

Gerunds and Infinitives: When to Use

Gerunds (-ing form) and infinitives (to + base verb) are verb forms that function as nouns. Knowing when to use each is essential for the BAC exam.

When to use gerunds (-ing):

• After certain verbs: enjoy, avoid, suggest, finish, mind, practice, consider. Ex: “I enjoy reading books.”
• As subject of a sentence: “Studying is important.”
• After prepositions: “He is good at playing football.” / “She left without saying goodbye.”
• After certain expressions: can’t stand, can’t help, it’s no use, be/get used to, look forward to. Ex: “I look forward to meeting you.”

When to use infinitives (to + verb):

• After certain verbs: want, hope, decide, expect, plan, promise, agree, refuse, learn. Ex: “I want to become a teacher.”
• To express purpose: “I came here to study.”
• After adjectives: “It is easy to learn English.” / “He is happy to help.”
• After certain nouns: “I have a wish to travel.”
• With too/enough: “It’s too cold to go out.” / “He is old enough to drive.”

Verbs followed by both (with different meanings):

• Stop + gerund = quit an action: “I stopped smoking.” (I no longer smoke)
• Stop + infinitive = pause to do something: “I stopped to smoke.” (I paused what I was doing to smoke)
• Remember + gerund = recall past: “I remember meeting him.” (I recall the meeting)
• Remember + infinitive = not forget future: “Remember to call him.” (don’t forget)
• Try + gerund = experiment: “Try pressing this button.”
• Try + infinitive = make an effort: “I tried to open the door.”

BAC Example 2022:

“Complete: ‘I enjoy (read) ______ novels.’ → ‘reading’ / ‘She decided (study) ______ abroad.’ → ‘to study'”

Similar Lessons

• Reported Speech: Statements, Questions, Commands
• The Passive Voice: Formation and Uses

📍 دروس مشابهة

• English — The Verb To Be: Affirmative, Negative and Questions with Exercises — 1st Year Middle School — Algerian Curriculum
• English — Conditionals: Zero, First, Second, Third, and Mixed with BAC Exercises — 3rd Year Secondary
• English — Future Tense (Will and Going to) — Grammar — 4th Year Middle School — English Language — Algerian Program