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