Infinitives and gerunds – verb patterns

1

Question:

Infinitives and gerunds – verb patterns

Gerund

We use the gerund (-ing)

1When the verb is the subject of a sentence.

Reading on tablets and phones isn’t very good for your eyes.

2After a preposition.

I’m tired of waiting. Let’s go home.

3After some verbs.

I don’t mind waiting.
She recommended visiting this museum.

Common verbs followed by a gerund

Some common verbs that are followed by gerund are: avoid, enjoy, finish, hate, keep, like, love, don’t mind, prefer, recommend, spend time, stop, suggest, etc.

Negative gerund

The negative form of the gerund is not + -ing.

He enjoys not having to wake up early at weekends.

Infinitive without to

We use the infinitive without to
1After the auxiliary verb do, does, did in negative sentences and questions.

He didn’t say anything.
Does Tim work with you?
I don’t believe you.

2After modal verbs (will, can, must, should, might, may, etc.)

You should come with us.
I can’t play the guitar.

to + infinitive

We use the infinitive with to

1After adjectives.

It’s important to arrive early at the station.

2To express a reason or purpose (why).

I went to Madrid to visit some family.
I need time to study for the exam.

3After question words.

I don’t know what to eat.
I want to learn how to play the guitar.

4After some verbs.

Don’t forget to call me.
She seems to be distracted.

Common verbs followed by to + infinitive

Some common verbs that are followed by to infinitive are: decide, forget, help, hope, learn, need, offer, plan, promise, remember, seem, try, want, would like, would love, would hate, would prefer, etc.

Negative form of to + infinitive

The negative form of to + infinitive is not to + infinitive.

She decided not to enter the competition.

Choose the correct:

A EXCERCISE

2

Question:

EXERCISE

Fill in the gaps with the correct infinitive or gerund forms of the verbs in box below.

be buy do eat go lock look rain ~~see~~ travel work

EXAMPLE: It was nice to see her again after so many years.

1. The weather was nice, so I suggested _______ for a walk.

2. I'd prefer _______ in a restaurant today.

3. When it stopped _______ we went for a picnic.

4. _______ a police officer in this city can be very dangerous.

5. I don’t mind _______ long hours because I love my job.

6. We are planning _______ to Australia this summer. We have already saved the money for the trip.

7. I forgot _______ the door when I left home.

8. I’m thinking of _______ for a new job.

9. I went to the greengrocer’s _______ some food.

10. Could you show me how _______ this exercise?

Fill in the blank from the appropriate:

A

3

Question:

EXERCISE

Fill in the gaps with the correct infinitive or gerund forms of the verbs in box below.

be buy do eat go lock look rain ~~see~~ travel work

EXAMPLE: It was nice to see her again after so many years.

1. The weather was nice, so I suggested _______ for a walk.

2. I'd prefer _______ in a restaurant today.

3. When it stopped _______ we went for a picnic.

4. _______ a police officer in this city can be very dangerous.

5. I don’t mind _______ long hours because I love my job.

6. We are planning _______ to Australia this summer. We have already saved the money for the trip.

7. I forgot _______ the door when I left home.

8. I’m thinking of _______ for a new job.

9. I went to the greengrocer’s _______ some food.

10. Could you show me how _______ this exercise?

Fill in the blank from the appropriate:

A

4

Question:

EXERCISE

Fill in the gaps with the correct infinitive or gerund forms of the verbs in box below.

be buy do eat go lock look rain ~~see~~ travel work

EXAMPLE: It was nice to see her again after so many years.

1. The weather was nice, so I suggested _______ for a walk.

2. I'd prefer _______ in a restaurant today.

3. When it stopped _______ we went for a picnic.

4. _______ a police officer in this city can be very dangerous.

5. I don’t mind _______ long hours because I love my job.

6. We are planning _______ to Australia this summer. We have already saved the money for the trip.

7. I forgot _______ the door when I left home.

8. I’m thinking of _______ for a new job.

9. I went to the greengrocer’s _______ some food.

10. Could you show me how _______ this exercise?

Fill in the blank from the appropriate:

A

5

Question:

EXERCISE

Fill in the gaps with the correct infinitive or gerund forms of the verbs in box below.

be buy do eat go lock look rain ~~see~~ travel work

EXAMPLE: It was nice to see her again after so many years.

1. The weather was nice, so I suggested _______ for a walk.

2. I'd prefer _______ in a restaurant today.

3. When it stopped _______ we went for a picnic.

4. _______ a police officer in this city can be very dangerous.

5. I don’t mind _______ long hours because I love my job.

6. We are planning _______ to Australia this summer. We have already saved the money for the trip.

7. I forgot _______ the door when I left home.

8. I’m thinking of _______ for a new job.

9. I went to the greengrocer’s _______ some food.

10. Could you show me how _______ this exercise?

Fill in the blank from the appropriate:

A

6

Question:

EXERCISE

Fill in the gaps with the correct infinitive or gerund forms of the verbs in box below.

be buy do eat go lock look rain ~~see~~ travel work

EXAMPLE: It was nice to see her again after so many years.

1. The weather was nice, so I suggested _______ for a walk.

2. I'd prefer _______ in a restaurant today.

3. When it stopped _______ we went for a picnic.

4. _______ a police officer in this city can be very dangerous.

5. I don’t mind _______ long hours because I love my job.

6. We are planning _______ to Australia this summer. We have already saved the money for the trip.

7. I forgot _______ the door when I left home.

8. I’m thinking of _______ for a new job.

9. I went to the greengrocer’s _______ some food.

10. Could you show me how _______ this exercise?

Fill in the blank from the appropriate:

A

7

Question:

EXERCISE

Fill in the gaps with the correct infinitive or gerund forms of the verbs in box below.

be buy do eat go lock look rain ~~see~~ travel work

EXAMPLE: It was nice to see her again after so many years.

1. The weather was nice, so I suggested _______ for a walk.

2. I'd prefer _______ in a restaurant today.

3. When it stopped _______ we went for a picnic.

4. _______ a police officer in this city can be very dangerous.

5. I don’t mind _______ long hours because I love my job.

6. We are planning _______ to Australia this summer. We have already saved the money for the trip.

7. I forgot _______ the door when I left home.

8. I’m thinking of _______ for a new job.

9. I went to the greengrocer’s _______ some food.

10. Could you show me how _______ this exercise?

Fill in the blank from the appropriate:

A

8

Question:

EXERCISE

Fill in the gaps with the correct infinitive or gerund forms of the verbs in box below.

be buy do eat go lock look rain ~~see~~ travel work

EXAMPLE: It was nice to see her again after so many years.

1. The weather was nice, so I suggested _______ for a walk.

2. I'd prefer _______ in a restaurant today.

3. When it stopped _______ we went for a picnic.

4. _______ a police officer in this city can be very dangerous.

5. I don’t mind _______ long hours because I love my job.

6. We are planning _______ to Australia this summer. We have already saved the money for the trip.

7. I forgot _______ the door when I left home.

8. I’m thinking of _______ for a new job.

9. I went to the greengrocer’s _______ some food.

10. Could you show me how _______ this exercise?

Fill in the blank from the appropriate:

A

9

Question:

EXERCISE

Fill in the gaps with the correct infinitive or gerund forms of the verbs in box below.

be buy do eat go lock look rain ~~see~~ travel work

EXAMPLE: It was nice to see her again after so many years.

1. The weather was nice, so I suggested _______ for a walk.

2. I'd prefer _______ in a restaurant today.

3. When it stopped _______ we went for a picnic.

4. _______ a police officer in this city can be very dangerous.

5. I don’t mind _______ long hours because I love my job.

6. We are planning _______ to Australia this summer. We have already saved the money for the trip.

7. I forgot _______ the door when I left home.

8. I’m thinking of _______ for a new job.

9. I went to the greengrocer’s _______ some food.

10. Could you show me how _______ this exercise?

Fill in the blank from the appropriate:

A

10

Question:

EXERCISE

Fill in the gaps with the correct infinitive or gerund forms of the verbs in box below.

be buy do eat go lock look rain ~~see~~ travel work

EXAMPLE: It was nice to see her again after so many years.

1. The weather was nice, so I suggested _______ for a walk.

2. I'd prefer _______ in a restaurant today.

3. When it stopped _______ we went for a picnic.

4. _______ a police officer in this city can be very dangerous.

5. I don’t mind _______ long hours because I love my job.

6. We are planning _______ to Australia this summer. We have already saved the money for the trip.

7. I forgot _______ the door when I left home.

8. I’m thinking of _______ for a new job.

9. I went to the greengrocer’s _______ some food.

10. Could you show me how _______ this exercise?

Fill in the blank from the appropriate:

A

11

Question:

EXERCISE

Fill in the gaps with the correct infinitive or gerund forms of the verbs in box below.

be buy do eat go lock look rain ~~see~~ travel work

EXAMPLE: It was nice to see her again after so many years.

1. The weather was nice, so I suggested _______ for a walk.

2. I'd prefer _______ in a restaurant today.

3. When it stopped _______ we went for a picnic.

4. _______ a police officer in this city can be very dangerous.

5. I don’t mind _______ long hours because I love my job.

6. We are planning _______ to Australia this summer. We have already saved the money for the trip.

7. I forgot _______ the door when I left home.

8. I’m thinking of _______ for a new job.

9. I went to the greengrocer’s _______ some food.

10. Could you show me how _______ this exercise?

Fill in the blank from the appropriate:

A

Gerund

We use the gerund (-ing)

Common verbs followed by a gerund

Negative gerund

Infinitive without to

to + infinitive

Common verbs followed by to + infinitive

Negative form of to + infinitive