How to Use Gerunds & Infinitives in Everyday English [FREE Worksheet]

This lesson was originally published in 2017. It was updated with new lesson content plus a PDF worksheet in 2024.

Take a look at these two sentences:

• I enjoy visiting museums when I travel. (Correct)
• I enjoy to visit museums when I travel. (Incorrect)

The -ing vs. to question. Gerund or infinitive. This is where my students often second-guess themselves, doubting their choices over and over. It’s frustrating, annoying, and the source of many mistakes.

And honestly, it’s no surprise. There aren’t clear-cut rules that apply universally; it all depends on specific verbs, expressions, and sentence structures.

So what’s the solution? How can you stop feeling frustrated and avoid mistakes?

While there’s no one-size-fits-all rule, you can learn to get this right. It’s about recognizing patterns, knowing which verbs work with ‘-ing’ and which with ‘to,’ and practicing until it feels instinctual.

Today, I’ll guide you step-by-step through the key differences, highlight common pitfalls, and share simple tips to help you get it right.

It takes some practice, with the right guidance you can stop second-guessing and start feeling confident with these tricky little words.

Gerunds vs. Infinitives: When and How to Use Them

What Are Gerunds? 

Gerunds are formed by adding “-ing” to the base form of a verb (like swim, read, jog, drive), turning the verb into a noun.

• Example: swimming, reading, jogging, driving, etc.

They often function as nouns in a sentence and can be used as subjects, objects, or complements. 

We use gerunds to describe activities or ongoing actions.

What Are Infinitives? 

An infinitive is a verb form that consists of the word “to” and the base form of a verb.

• Example: to swim, to read, to jog, to drive, etc.

Infinitives function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence. English speakers use infinitives to express a purpose or intent. 

Similarities to Note

Gerunds & infinitives can act as the subject of a sentence. 

• To run a mile successfully, you should begin your training with stretches. 
• Running helps me clear my mind and stay physically active.

Both can be the object of a verb. 

• I hope to work abroad one day. 
• I enjoy working at my current job. 

Both occur frequently after certain verbs and adjectives. (We will learn more about these verbs and adjectives in a moment.) 

• I love hosting movie nights with my friends. 
• It’s important to be honest when applying for jobs.

Quick Tips on Gerunds vs. Infinitives

Tip #1: Gerunds Follow Prepositions

Gerunds follow prepositions in a sentence and prepositions in phrasal verbs.

• I love to drink a cup of coffee before running because it gives me an extra boost.
• I look forward to chatting* with you next week.

*This sentence is tricky. With “to” it seems we should use an infinitive, doesn’t it? But, ‘to look forward to’ is a phrasal verb. That means “to” at the end is part of the verb, just like the verbs run, walk, drive, or manage. However, it’s also a preposition, so we follow it with a gerund.

• After the meeting, she broke down crying. I’m not sure what happened but obviously, it wasn’t a good meeting.

‘To break down’ is a phrasal verb and it means to become very upset.

Tip #2: Infinitives Follow Certain Adjectives

In some cases, infinitives will follow a particular adjective in a sentence. 

• Do you think it’s challenging to speak English in front of others?
• She was nervous to find out about her exam results.

Here is a list of common adjectives that are often followed by infinitives.

ahead | amazed | anxious | ashamed | bound | careful | certain | challenging | content | delighted | determined | disappointed | eager | fortunate | glad | happy | hesitant | likely | lucky | pleased | proud | ready | reluctant | sad | shocked | sorry | surprised | upset

Tip #3: Gerunds Cannot be Used with the Passive Voice

Infinitives can be used with the passive voice because they can function as nouns or adjectives.

• I hope to be invited to the party. 
• It’s rewarding to be recognized for your hard work. 

Tip #4: Infinitives Can Modify Nouns

Like an adjective, infinitives can describe or explain more about a noun — it tells us why something exists or what it’s meant to do.

When an infinitive modifies a noun, it provides additional information about the noun’s quality, purpose, or state.

• The desire to succeed drove her to work harder. 
• The opportunity to travel abroad was exciting. 
• The plan to retire early was poorly thought out.

Common Verbs Followed by Infinitives

There are two ways an infinitive might follow a verb:

Directly after the verb: 

• I want to go out to dinner tonight.

A noun/pronoun is between the verb and the infinitive: 

• She taught him to play the piano for 7 years.

And, of course, some can do both:

• I asked him to meet me after work.
• I asked to meet him after work.

Paying attention when reading/listening in English can help you use them accurately.

Verbs for Wants, Needs, & Expectations

• To be excited 
• To love 
• To need
• To tell sb
• To wish
• Would like 

Examples

• I’m excited to start this new chapter in my career. 
• I love to host dinner parties during the holidays. 
• Would you like to join us for drinks after work? 
• You need to tell an adult if someone bullies you at school. 

*Note: Hate, love, like, and prefer are a little tricky.

They can be followed by either a gerund (-ing) or an infinitive (to + verb) with no real change in meaning — we’ll be talking more about this shortly. 

Some English speakers will use either with no intended difference in meaning; instead, it’s simply personal preference. 

However, we can also use this as a guide:

When the meaning is general, these verbs are followed by a gerund. 

And when the meaning is more specific and related to a particular time or situation, these verbs are often followed by the infinitive form.

• I love dancing. (general; gerund)
• I love to dance with my husband. (specific; infinitive)

Verbs for Effort, Intention, and Planning

• To fail
• To try 
• To attempt 
• To decide
• To agree
• To plan
• To prepare

Examples

• The company failed to launch the new product before the holidays. 
• We attempted to maintain the original style of the house. 
• The neighbors agreed to pay for the damages on our property.
• I plan to travel across Europe for the next six months. 

Verbs for Ability, Permission, and Obligation

• To allow
• To manage
• To expect
• To demand
• To offer
• To promise 

Examples

• The clients expect to receive your proposals by the end of this week. 
• By the way, Loretta offered to cover my shifts next week. 
• The Smiths promised to donate a large sum to the charity. 
• We managed to arrive at the expected time.

Verbs for Cause, Effect, and Purpose

• To force sb
• To teach sb
• To learn
• To remember 
• To persuade sb
• To urge sb

Examples

• The changes to management forced Lisa to look elsewhere for a job. 
• My sister taught me to play the guitar at a young age. 
• Please remember to write your name at the top of the page. 
• We learned to speak English quickly. 
• I urge your to review instructions before your begin.

Verbs for Perception

• To appear
• To seem 
• To tend
• To happen
• To threaten
• To care
• To challenge

Examples

• I tend to laugh when I’m nervous. 
• It seems to be a copy of the secret recipe. 
• The woman in the painting appeared to be smiling. 
• The landlord threatened to evict the old couple if they didn’t pay their rent. 

Common Verbs Followed by Gerunds

Verbs for Feeling, Opinion, and Preference

• To admit
• To dislike
• To enjoy
• To feel like
• To look forward to
• To miss
• To resent

Examples

• I miss living close to my family.  
• The children dislike playing outdoors; they’d rather be on their iPads. 
• We look forward to presenting at this year’s conference. 
  • *Note: Remember how gerunds often follow prepositions. This is especially true for phrasal verbs like ‘look forward to.’
• I feel like going for a run this morning. 
• She resented spending so much time on the minor details.

Verbs for Habits and Actions

• To be/get used to
• Can’t stand
• To consider
• To finish
• To keep
• To keep on
• To quit
• To stop
• To resist

Examples

• You got used to drinking coffee every morning. 
• I can’t stand waiting in a long line. 
• Have you considered switching to a different career?
• My sister keeps talking about her dog. 
• Keep on trying; you’ll reach your goal soon. 
• They finished painting the house last week.

Verbs for Advice and Recommendations

• To advise
• To avoid
• To discuss
• To put off
• To recommend
• To suggest
• To give up

Examples

• It’s best to avoid eating sugary foods during your pregnancy. 
• The city recommends visiting the newly-built museum. 
• I suggest trying the new restaurant next to the office.
• You should give up smoking. 
• You could put off selling your home until you feel ready to move.

Common Verbs Followed Infinitives or Gerunds (with No Meaning Change)

Okay. You’ve learned some common verbs that must be followed by infinitives. And you’ve learned others that must be followed by gerunds.

But there is a small group of verbs that are more flexible. They can work together with a gerund or an infinitive. Both can be correct. It’s your choice what you want to use.

• To begin
• To continue
• To hate
• To like
• To love
• To prefer
• To propose
• To start

Examples

• I like to take a walk after dinner.
• I like taking a walk after dinner.

• He loves to watch scary movies.
• He loves watching scary movies.

Common Verbs Followed Infinitives or Gerunds (with Meaning Change)

There are just a few verbs that can be followed by a gerund or infinitive, but the meaning changes. 

For example, the ‘stop’ can be followed by either a gerund or infinitive, but the meaning changes.

Can you identify how the meaning of the sentences below change based on the gerund vs. infinitive?

• He stopped walking during his runs.
• He stopped to walk during his run to catch his breath.

Answer: The first sentence expresses that he stopped the habit of walking during running workouts, perhaps no longer needing the slower pace. The second sentence expressed that he stopped running and decided to walk during one specific workout.

Here are some other common verbs followed by a gerund or infinitive with a change in meaning:

• To forget
• To go on
• To quit
• To regret
• To remember
• To try

Examples

• Wendy quit in order to to work here. 
• Wendy quit working here. 

Translation: (1) Wendy quit her other job to work at this company. (2) Wendy no longer works here.

• We remembered to visit our grandmother in Maine. 
• We remember visiting our grandmother in Maine. 

Translation: (1) We didn’t forget to visit our grandmother. (2) We have memories of visiting our grandmother.

So What’s the Fast Way to Get All This Right for Accurate

Use it. The quickest way to master when to use gerunds and infinitives is by actively using the language in both writing and speaking. Just like I shared in my lesson on activating passive vocabulary, the more you use English in real-life contexts, the more naturally these rules will start to click. It’s not about memorizing endless rules; it’s about making them part of your everyday language.

Here are 3 quick ways to start using what you’ve learned:

1. Practice Speaking Out Loud: Whether you’re talking to a friend, recording yourself, or practicing in an online group like my Confident Women Community, practice using sentences with gerunds and infinitives. The more you speak, the more familiar these forms will become.
2. Write Short Sentences or Journal Entries: Set aside a few minutes each day to write using gerunds and infinitives. For example, write about your plans (I want to…) or things you enjoy (I love running…). This helps reinforce the patterns naturally.
3. Notice and Mimic Native Speakers: Pay attention to how native speakers use these forms in conversations, podcasts, or shows. Try to mimic what you hear, focusing on how they structure sentences. Repetition will help make these forms feel instinctive.

Remember, it’s all about using the language. The more you practice, the quicker you’ll stop second-guessing yourself and start feeling confident in getting these right every time.

BONUS: You can also download the FREE worksheet I have available for you. Get it just below the video in this lesson.

~ Annemarie

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