50.1 – Gerunds & Infinitives

Some verbs are followed by a gerund (+-ing: A form that is derived from a verb but that functions as a noun) and other verbs are followed by a to + infinitive. See some examples below

 

Verbs Followed by an Infinitive She agreed to speak before the game.

agree aim appear arrange ask attempt be able beg begin care choose condescend

consent continue dare decide deserve detest dislike expect fail forget get happen

have hesitate hope hurry intend leap leave like long love mean neglect

offer ought plan prefer prepare proceed promise propose refuse remember say

shoot start stop strive swear threaten try use wait want wish

Verbs Followed by an Object and an Infinitive Everyone expected her to win.

advise allow ask beg bring build buy challenge

choose command dare direct encourage expect forbid force

have hire instruct invite lead leave let like

love motivate order pay permit persuade prepare promise

remind require send teach tell urge want warn

Note: Some of these verbs are included in the list above and may be used without an object.

Verbs Followed by a Gerund They enjoyed working on the boat.

admit advise appreciate avoid can’t help complete consider

delay deny detest dislike enjoy escape excuse

finish forbid get through have imagine mind miss

permit postpone practice quit recall report resent

resist resume risk spend (time) suggest tolerate waste (time)

Verbs Followed by a Preposition and a Gerund We concentrated on doing well.

admit to approve of argue about believe in care about complain about concentrate on confess to

depend on disapprove of discourage from dream about feel like forget about insist on object to

plan on prevent (someone) from refrain from succeed in talk about think about worry about

 

 

Task A Underline the correct words

1 We can’t afford to miss/missing this opportunity.

2 It’s not worth to spend/spending any more time on this.

3 We decided to close down / closing down the plant in Slovakia.

4 You promised to deliver/delivering by the end of April.

5 I considered to call/calling him but I decided it was better to send an email.

6 If we don’t decide soon, we risk to lose/losing the whole contract.

7 She agreed to prepare/preparing some figures before the next meeting.

8 Is Mr Messier busy? OK, I don’t mind to wait/waiting for a few minutes.

9 May I suggest to postpone/postponing the meeting until next week?

10 He refused to sign/signing the contract until he’d spoken to his boss.

 

Task B Complete the sentences with the verbs in the box. Choose either the -ing form or to + infinitive.

advertise    employ   fly       give   help       make   receive   speak       think        write

 

0 They agreed to give us thirty more days to pay the invoice.

1 There’s no point ______________ this brand on TV. It would cost too much.

2 I suggested ______________ another sales rep, but no one agreed.

3 We’re expecting ______________ some more stock early next week.

4 I’ll join you later. I need to finish ______________ this report

5 I learned ______________ Portuguese while I was working in Brazil.

6 I work in PR. My job involves ______________ contact with the media.

7 I can’t help ______________ that something is going to go wrong.

8 I can’t afford ______________ business class all the time.

9 I can’t promise ______________ you with this problem, but I’ll do my best.

 

Task  Complete the sentences with an -ing form or to + infinitive. Use your own ideas.

0 Next summer I hope to go backpacking in New Zealand.

1 When questioned by the project leader, the student denied ___________________________________________________________________________

2 The warranty on this computer is very good. They guarantee

___________________________________________________________________________

3 I’m the sort of person who can’t resist

___________________________________________________________________________

4 I’m a very busy person and I really can’t afford

___________________________________________________________________________

5 When I’m away from home I miss

___________________________________________________________________________

6 One of my classmates is really annoying. He keeps on

___________________________________________________________________________

7 I didn’t have much time, but I did manage

___________________________________________________________________________

8 The project is behind schedule and I think we should consider

___________________________________________________________________________

9 This year I’ve wasted a lot of time

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Gerunds and inifinitives