Common verbs and phrases that are followed by a gerund

admit finish mention

advise forget mind

avoid get used to miss

be used to give up recommend

can’t help go on remember

can’t stand have difficulty quit

consider have problems spend time

deny have trouble stop

discuss imagine suggest

dislike it’s no use understand

end up it’s worthwhile waste time

enjoy keep work at

feel like look forward to

Common verbs that can be followed by either a

gerund or an infinitive without causing a change
in meaning
begin like

continue love

hate prefer

intend start

Common verbs that can be followed by a gerund

or infinitive but with a change in meaning
Forget remember stop
 Common verbs that are followed by an infinitive
afford demand mean remember

agree expect offer seem

appear fail plan stop

arrange forget prepare volunteer

ask hope pretend wait

care learn promise want

decide manage refuse wish

Common verbs that are directly followed by a

noun or pronoun and then by an infinitive
advise forbid program

allow force remind

ask hire teach

cause instruct tell

challenge invite urge

command order want

convince pay war

expect permit
1. Alan can’t stand _________ on trains. (riding/ to ride)
2. Mr. Harris enjoys _________ people out to dinner. (inviting / to invite)
3. In the old days, gentlemen challenged their rivals _______. (fighting / to fight)
4. As the famous saying goes, there’s no use ______ over spilt milk. (crying / to cry)
5. Jim stopped _________ his shoelace. Wait for him. (tying / to tie)
6. My wife always volunteers ___________ cakes PTA meetings. (baking / to bake)
7. Don’t waste my time ___________ about your salary. (complaining/ to complain)
8. Eva is having trouble _________ on the exam. (concentrating / to concentrate)
9. Please allow me ____________ your Facebook page. (joining / to join)
10. You won’t forget _________milk on your way home, will you? (picking up /to pick up)

1. I often go (dance) _____________ on a Saturday night.

Dancing To Dance

2. When I finish (write) _____________ this letter, I'll come and help you.
To write Writing

3. I am planning (buy) ______________ a new laptop soon.

To buy buying

4. I need (sleep) _____________ at least eight hours a night.

To sleep Sleeping

5. I want (move) _____________ to London next year.

To move Moving

6. Would you consider (give) ____________ the speech at our anniversary party?
Giving To give

7. She avoids (walk) _____________ in the rain.

Walking To walk

8. Emily promised (eat) _____________ all her vegetables.

Eating To eat

9. I don't mind (call) _____________ them if you don't want to.

To call Calling

10. You need to practice (listen) _____________.

Listening To listen

11. Did anyone volunteer (work) _____________ on Saturday?

To work Working

12. He refuses (talk) _____________ to me.

Talking To talk

13. I enjoy (watch) _____________ romantic movies.

To watch Watching

14. We can't afford (rent) _____________ this flat anymore.

To rent Renting

15. I managed (get) _____________ there on time.

To get Getting
 Infinitive with / without to
Choose the correct form (infinitive with or without to).

1. I can English.

2. We have our homework.

3. You must at home.

4. I will you.

5. He cannot us.

6. My little sister learns .

7. They want to the cinema.

8. You should your parents.

9. I'd like a dog.

10. May we in?

Exercise on Gerund
Complete the sentences with the gerund form of the verbs in parentheses.

1. She is good at (dance) .

2. He is crazy about (sing) .

3. I don't like (play) cards.

4. They are afraid of (swim) in the sea.

5. You should give up (smoke) .

6. Sam dreams of (be) a popstar.

7. He is interested in (make) friends.

8. My uncle is afraid of (go) by plane.

9. We insist on (cook) the dinner ourselves.

Gerund used as a subject

Complete the sentences with the gerund form of the verbs in parentheses.

1. (cook) is one of her hobbies.

2. (cycle) is fun.

3. (Get) a good job is not easy.

4. (Find) a parking space is quite difficult in this area.

5. (drive) becomes more and more expensive.

6. No (smoke) in this area.

7. (work) overtime is quite common in this company.

8. (eat) fruits and vegetables is good for your health.

9. (make) fun of other people is not nice.

10. (learn) about other cultures makes people more tolerant.

 Infinitive or Gerund?
Choose the correct form (infinitive with or without to or gerund).

1. We go every week.

2. Let it .

3. He dreams of an actor.

4. They enjoy .

5. It is not easy good friends.

6. My friend is afraid of

7. Jane is good at .

8. He wanted a new computer game.

9. I am crazy about .

10. You must to my party.

Infinitive or Gerund? II
Choose the correct form (infinitive with or without to or gerund).

1. We can him.

2. I am glad you.

3. Give up .

4. It is difficult the question.

5. I enjoy with you.

6. John is fond of ice-cream.

7. We will famous one day.

8. I am interested in karate.

9. We cannot our car here.

10. Gareth is bad at compliments.