Gerunds vs Infinitives

Many students have expressed difficulties regarding whether to use the gerund form of a verb or the infinitive form. Deciding which to use is not always easy, but the more you read and listen to English, the easier it will become. Sometimes either the gerund or the infinitive form can be used, either with the same or different meanings, and sometimes there is only one form which is correct.

Let's make sure we are clear on what the difference between a gerund and the infinitive form of a verb is.

Gerund – a verb in its present participle form (-ing) which acts as a noun in a sentence.
example – "Stop smoking."

Infinitive – a verb in its base form precede by the word "to".
example – "Stop to smoke."

In the example sentences above, both forms can be used, but the meanings are not the same. "Stop smoking." means terminate the action of smoking. "Stop to smoke." means stop an activity in progress for the purpose of starting the action of smoking.

Exercises

Choose the correct form of the verb to complete each sentence.

Thomas Williams is a teacher at EC San Diego English school

Link: Sports Idioms

• 1. I want to attempt ___ to Hawaii next year.
  
  sail
  sailing
  to sail
  
  
• 2. Our teacher suggested ___ to a movie after class.
  
  going
  to go
  go
  
  
• 3. They always argue about ___ home for vacation.
  
  stay
  to stay
  staying
  
  
• 4. My sister can't help ___ so much food during the holidays.
  
  buy
  buying
  to buy
  
  
• 5. Don’t forget ___ the windows before you leave.
  
  to close
  close
  closing
  
  
• 6. She said she would promise ___ dinner for us.
  
  cook
  to cook
  cooking
  
  
• 7. None of the students can resist ___ Facebook.
  
  using
  use
  to use
  
  
• 8. My father would never tolerate ___ late.
  
  arriving
  to arrive
  arrive
  
  
• 9. Can you recall ___ your first word in English.
  
  to speak
  speaking
  speak
  
  
• 10. As soon as he gets through ___ we can eat.
  
  studying
  to study
  study