Gerunds vs Infinitives


Here is a brief review of the differences between gerunds and infinitives:

Gerunds are formed with ING:

walking, talking, thinking, listening

Infinitives are formed with TO:

to walk, to talk, to think, to listen

Gerunds and infinitives can do several jobs:

Both gerunds and infinitives can be the subject of a sentence::

Writing in English is difficult.
To write in English is difficult.

Both gerunds and infinitives can be the object of a verb (but whether it is one or the other depends on the verb). In the case of the verb ‘like’ both are possible::

I like writing in English.
I like to write in English.

But…

Only gerunds can be the object of a preposition::

We are talking about writing in English.

It is often difficult to know when to use a gerund and when to use an infinitive. These guidelines may help you:

Gerunds are often used when actions are real, concrete or completed::

I stopped smoking.
(The smoking was real and happened until I stopped.)

Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future::

I stopped to smoke.
(I was doing something else, and I stopped; the smoking had not happened yet.)

List of Common Verbs Followed By Gerunds

admit enjoy regret
advise finish remember
anticipate forget resent
appreciate keep resist
avoid mention risk
complete mind stop
consider miss suggest
delay postpone tolerate
deny practice understand
discuss quit
dislike recommend


List of Common Verbs Followed By Infinitives

agree prepare appear
fail forget pretend
ask hesitate promise
beg hope refuse
care learn regret
claim manage remember
consent mean seem
decide need threaten
demand offer wait
deserve plan wish
expect prepare want