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!