When two verbs are used together in a sentence the second verb takes either the gerund or infinitive form.
In some cases the second verb can take both form BUT the meaning is different.
Use the context of the sentences below to decide whether the verb takes the infinitive or gerund form.
It’s always a good idea to revise difficult things to remember such as verb patterns.
So in the following sentences, can you remember which form of the verb is needed, the gerund or the infinitive?
Lesson by Caroline Devane
When we use more than one verb in a sentence there are specific patterns, e.g. the infinitive to or –ing, that follow the first verb.
Look at this example: "My friend suggested watching a dvd at home, but I want to go out.
The verb ‘suggested’ is followed by an –ing form of the next verb (gerund) and the verb ‘want’ is followed by the infinitive to.
We already know that some words are followed by the gerund and some by the infinitive, but it gets even more confusing when we have to remember whether the sentence needs the full infinitive with 'to' or not. Here's a test to help you remember. When you've finished, can you use the correct answers to make a list of which words are followed by the full infinitive and which are not? This is quite a complicated exercise so I would be interested to hear your thoughts on it. Let me know if you would like an explanation of the rules covered in this test.
A Gerund is a verbal noun - it is a verb acting as a noun. Gerunds are made by adding -ing to the base verb e.g. watch / watching.
Gerunds can either be the subject or object of a verb:
Gerund as a subject: "Skiing is great."
Gerund as an object: "I love skiing."
Gerunds are often used after state verbs e.g.
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.
Take a look at these ten sentences and complete them with the correct forms of the verbs.
There are four choices for each sentence, but only one is correct.
This exercise is intermediate level. Let's see how many of you can get 10 out of 10.
Take a look at the following two sentences. what's the difference in meaning?
"I used to drink green tea."
"I am used to drinking tea."
Take a look at the following two sentences - which one is correct and why?
Are you interested in studying English?
Are you interested in study English?
That's right, the first sentence is correct. But why?
