Verbs Followed by Gerunds and Infinitives

by | Sep 9, 2024 | Verbs

Understanding Verbs Followed by Gerunds and Infinitives in English Grammar

When it comes to mastering English grammar, one of the trickiest areas for learners is knowing when to use gerunds and infinitives after verbs. This article will guide you through the rules, nuances, and common patterns related to verbs that are followed by gerunds and infinitives, making it easier for you to speak and write accurately in English.

Definition of Gerunds and Infinitives

In English grammar, a gerund is the -ing form of a verb that functions as a noun. For example, in the sentence “Running is fun,” the word running is a gerund because it acts as the subject of the sentence.

An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word to. In the sentence “I love to run,” the phrase to run is an infinitive because it expresses the idea of running as an action or possibility, not a completed event.

Importance in English Grammar

Understanding when to use gerunds or infinitives is essential because it helps avoid awkward phrasing and incorrect sentences. This topic can be a challenge for English learners because different verbs take different forms, and choosing the wrong one can change the entire meaning of a sentence.

Overview of the Topic

In this article, we’ll explore the verbs that are followed by gerunds, those that are followed by infinitives, and those that can take either form—sometimes with a change in meaning. We will also look at special cases and exceptions.

Verbs Followed by Gerunds

Explanation of Gerunds

As mentioned earlier, gerunds are verbs that function as nouns. They’re formed by adding -ing to the base form of a verb, and they can be used as subjects, objects, or complements in sentences.

Common Verbs Followed by Gerunds

Certain verbs in English are always followed by gerunds. These verbs include:

Enjoy

Avoid

Consider

Suggest

Mind

Finish

Admit

Deny

Risk

Postpone

Discuss

Practice

Quit

Recommend

Miss

Imagine

Involve

Mention

Keep

Examples

She enjoys reading novels before bed. (Here, reading is the gerund and serves as the object of the verb enjoys.)

They avoided talking about the issue. (Talking is the gerund used as the object of avoided.)

Notes and Exceptions

It’s important to remember that gerunds are always used after prepositions. For example:

I am interested in learning more about this subject.

Some verbs are almost exclusively followed by gerunds, and memorizing these verb forms will help you use them accurately.

III. Verbs Followed by Infinitives

Explanation of Infinitives

Infinitives are the base form of a verb, typically preceded by to. Infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence, and they often express purpose, intention, or possibility.

Common Verbs Followed by Infinitives

Some verbs are always followed by infinitives, including:

Agree

Decide

Hope

Plan

Expect

Want

Need

Promise

Learn

Offer

Refuse

Manage

Seem

Appear

Tend

Prepare

Pretend

Afford

Deserve

Examples

He decided to leave early. (To leave is the infinitive and the object of the verb decided.)

We hope to see you soon. (To see is the infinitive following hope.)

Notes and Exceptions

Infinitives are also used to express purpose. For example:

She went to the store to buy milk. (The infinitive to buy expresses the purpose of going to the store.)

Some verbs will always be followed by infinitives, and understanding these patterns will improve your sentence structure.

Verbs Followed by Either Gerunds or Infinitives Without Significant Change in Meaning

Verbs List

There are some verbs that can be followed by either gerunds or infinitives, with little or no change in meaning. These include:

Begin

Start

Continue

Like

Love

Hate

Prefer

Can’t stand

Can’t bear

Examples

She began to sing/began singing at a young age. (Both forms are correct and convey the same meaning.)

They like to travel/like traveling together. (Again, both forms are interchangeable.)

Notes

While there are some differences in tone or formality, generally, these verbs can take either form without significantly changing the meaning of the sentence.

Verbs Followed by Either Gerunds or Infinitives With a Change in Meaning

Explanation of Meaning Changes

Some verbs can be followed by either gerunds or infinitives, but the choice can significantly alter the meaning of the sentence. Here are some common examples:

Key Verbs and Their Different Meanings

Remember

Remember doing: Recalling a past action. (E.g., I remember meeting her last year.)

Remember to do: Not forgetting to perform a future action. (E.g., Please remember to meet her tomorrow.)

Forget

Forget doing: Forgetting a past action. (E.g., He forgot locking the door.)

Forget to do: Failing to perform a task. (E.g., She forgot to lock the door.)

Try

Try doing: Experimenting with an action. (E.g., Try taking the train instead of driving.)

Try to do: Making an effort to achieve something. (E.g., I tried to fix the car but couldn’t.)

Stop

Stop doing: Cease an ongoing action. (E.g., He stopped smoking last year.)

Stop to do: Pause one action to start another. (E.g., We stopped to rest for a while.)

Regret

Regret doing: Feeling sorry about a past action. (E.g., I regret saying those words.)

Regret to do: Being sorry to inform someone. (E.g., We regret to inform you of the delay.)

Examples

I remember meeting her last year. (You are recalling a past event.)

Please remember to meet her tomorrow. (You are reminding yourself to do something in the future.)

Notes on Usage

The context of the sentence will help determine whether to use a gerund or infinitive, as they can drastically change the meaning of the sentence.

Verbs Followed by Object + Infinitive or Gerund

Verbs Followed by Object + Infinitive

Some verbs require an object before the infinitive. These include:

Advise

Allow

Ask

Beg

Cause

Challenge

Convince

Encourage

Expect

Force

Invite

Permit

Persuade

Remind

Require

Teach

Tell

Urge

Want

Warn

Example

They advised him to wait. (Him is the object, and to wait is the infinitive.)

Verbs Followed by Object + Gerund

Some verbs can take an object followed by a gerund, such as:

Catch

Find

Keep

Leave

Prevent

Stop

Example

She caught him stealing apples. (Here, him is the object, and stealing is the gerund.)

Notes

The use of an object changes the structure of the sentence, so it’s important to recognize when to include both an object and a gerund or infinitive.

VII. Verbs Followed by Prepositions + Gerund

Explanation

Certain verbs require a preposition before the gerund, and these combinations are crucial to memorizing.

Common Verb + Preposition Combinations

Some common combinations include:

Apologize for

Approve of

Believe in

Depend on

Dream about/of

Feel like

Insist on

Look forward to

Succeed in

Think about/of

Worry about

Examples

They succeeded in finding a solution.

She insists on speaking first.

Notes

After a preposition, gerunds are always used—not infinitives. Learning common verb-preposition combinations will help with fluency.

VIII. Passive Forms with Gerunds and Infinitives

Passive Infinitive

The passive form of an infinitive is created by using to be + past participle.

Example

She expects to be promoted soon. (To be promoted is the passive infinitive.)

Passive Gerund

Passive gerunds are formed using being + past participle.

Example

He dislikes being told what to do. (Being told is the passive gerund.)

Usage Notes

Passive gerunds and infinitives focus on the action being done to the subject, which is useful when the subject receives the action.

Special Cases and Exceptions

Verbs with Bare Infinitives (Without “to”)

Some verbs are followed by the bare infinitive (without to). These include:

Let

Make

Help

Hear

Feel

See

Watch

Example

She made him apologize. (Apologize is the bare infinitive.)

Verbs Followed by “to” as Preposition + Gerund

When to acts as a preposition (rather than part of an infinitive), it is followed by a gerund.

Examples

Look forward to hearing from you.

She admitted to lying about the situation.

Gerunds vs. Present Participles

While both gerunds and present participles end in -ing, they function differently. Gerunds act as nouns, while present participles act as adjectives or form continuous verb tenses.

Running is fun. (Gerund)

The running water is cold. (Present participle)

Strategies for Mastery

Learning Techniques

Memorization: Study lists of verbs that are followed by gerunds and infinitives. Flashcards or apps can help.

Contextual Learning: Read books, listen to podcasts, or watch shows in English to observe how native speakers use these forms.

Practice Exercises: Complete online grammar quizzes and exercises that focus specifically on verbs with gerunds and infinitives.

Tips for Choosing Correct Forms

Pay close attention to context: Does the verb refer to a completed action (gerund) or a potential action (infinitive)?

Learn which verbs are typically followed by gerunds or infinitives.

If in doubt, consult grammar resources for clarification.

Resources for Further Study

There are many great resources available to master gerunds and infinitives:

Grammar textbooks

Online tutorials

Language learning apps like Duolingo or Memrise

Conclusion

Summary of Key Points

Knowing when to use gerunds and infinitives after verbs is crucial for fluency in English. Some verbs require gerunds, others infinitives, and some verbs can take both—with or without changes in meaning.

Importance of Mastery

Mastering gerunds and infinitives will make you a more confident and accurate English speaker or writer. It helps reduce grammatical errors and improves your overall language proficiency.

Encouragement for Continued Practice

Remember, regular practice is key to mastering this tricky area of English grammar. With consistent study and exposure to real-world examples, you’ll find yourself using gerunds and infinitives with ease.

By understanding and applying these rules, you’ll be able to construct clearer, more meaningful sentences in English. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon feel more confident navigating the complex world of gerunds and infinitives!

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