Verbs: Using Infinitives and Gerunds Correctly — A Complete English Grammar Guide

Mastering verbs with infinitives and gerunds is essential for speaking and writing English naturally. Understanding when to use to + verb (infinitives) or verb + -ing (gerunds) will help you express actions, preferences, and intentions with precision. This guide provides clear rules, examples, and visual charts to help learners of all levels grasp this tricky topic confidently.

Table of Contents

What Are Infinitives and Gerunds?

An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by to, such as to eat, to learn, or to play.

A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun, for example: eating, learning, or playing.

Both infinitives and gerunds can function as subjects, objects, or complements of verbs in sentences. Choosing which one to use often depends on the main verb or function in the sentence.

Example Comparison

Role	Gerund	Infinitive
Subject	Reading helps you relax.	To read helps you relax.
Object	I enjoy reading novels.	I want to read novels.
Complement	Her passion is teaching.	Her goal is to teach.

When to Use a Gerund

Gerunds are used:

After certain verbs such as enjoy, avoid, consider, finish, keep.
As the subject of a sentence.
After prepositions.
After phrasal verbs.

Examples

I enjoy reading science fiction.
Swimming keeps you healthy.
He’s interested in learning Japanese.
She gave up smoking years ago.

When to Use an Infinitive

Infinitives are often used to express purpose, plans, or preference. They are also used after certain verbs and adjectives.

After verbs such as want, decide, hope, plan, learn.
After adjectives (e.g., happy to see you).
To express reason or intention (I called to ask about…).
After question words like what, how, where (e.g., I don’t know what to say).

Examples

They want to learn Spanish.
She’s happy to help.
He came here to study.
I don’t know how to solve this problem.

Verbs Followed by Gerunds or Infinitives (with No Change in Meaning)

Some verbs can take both forms without changing meaning:

Verb	Gerund Example	Infinitive Example
begin	It began raining.	It began to rain.
continue	She continued working.	She continued to work.
like	I like swimming.	I like to swim.

Verbs Followed by Gerunds or Infinitives (with Change in Meaning)

Other verbs change meaning depending on which form follows them. Here are some key examples:

Verb	With Gerund	With Infinitive
remember	Means the past: I remember meeting him.	Means the future: Remember to meet him.
stop	Means quit doing something: He stopped smoking.	Means pause another action: He stopped to smoke.
try	Means an experiment: Try restarting your phone.	Means an effort: Try to restart your phone.

Gerund vs Infinitive Quick Guide

Here’s a visual summary to keep rules top of mind:

Interactive Practice

Try filling in the blanks mentally or aloud. Check which form fits — gerund or infinitive.

She avoided ______ (talk) about the issue.
I plan ______ (travel) next month.
He stopped ______ (work) because he was tired.
They enjoy ______ (play) chess together.
Did you remember ______ (lock) the door?

Answers: talking, to travel, working, playing, to lock

Pro Tip: Watch for Prepositions

Whenever a verb or expression includes a preposition, use a gerund afterward. This is a common mistake among English learners.

I’m looking forward to meeting you. ✅
He’s good at running. ✅
She’s interested in learning. ✅

Summary Table

Category	Use Gerund	Use Infinitive
Common verbs	enjoy, avoid, keep	want, decide, hope
Function	After prepositions or as subject	To express purpose or after adjectives
Special verbs	stop, remember (past)	stop, remember (future)

Conclusion

Choosing between gerunds and infinitives is one of the most subtle parts of English grammar, but with practice, you’ll master it naturally. Keep a list of verbs that use one or both forms, and pay attention to how native speakers use them in context. Over time, your ear will guide you instinctively to pick the right form.

Keep practicing, keep noticing patterns, and English grammar will become second nature!