Infinitive and Gerund in English

The infinitive in English is the basic form of a verb that does not change in tense, person or number. Often used with the particle “to“, for example “to run”, “to eat”, “to think”, but can also be used without it after some verbs, adjectives and other parts of speech.

Gerund in English is a noun formed from a verb by adding “-ing“. It is used to express actions or states occurring simultaneously with the actions described in the sentence. For example, “Reading helps to expand knowledge” – here “reading” is a gerund, a form of the verb “read”, acting as the subject of the sentence.

Infinitive in English

The infinitive is one of the main verb forms in the English language. It is the base form of verbs and is used to convey an action or state that does not depend on a specific person or number. The infinitive can be used as an independent form, as well as in combination with other verbs, adjectives and nouns. Let’s take a closer look at examples of its use.

Examples of using the infinitive:

1. Infinitive as an independent form:
   • To swim
   • To read
   • To eat
2. Infinitive in conjunction with verbs:
   • I want to learn English
   • She decided to quit her job
   • They need to buy groceries
3. Infinitive in combination with adjectives:
   • It’s important to study regularly
   • She was excited to meet her favorite singer
4. Infinitive in combination with nouns:
   • He has a desire to travel the world
   • She made an attempt to solve the puzzle

Gerund in English

The gerund is one form of verb in English that is used as a noun. It is formed by adding the ending -ing to the base of the verb. The gerund can perform the role of subject, object, circumstance, and other roles in a sentence. Let’s look at examples of the use of the gerund.

Examples of the use of the gerund:

1. Gerund as subject:
   • Swimming is good for your health
   • Singing brings me joy
2. Gerund as an adjunct:
   • She enjoys reading books
   • They don’t mind watching movies at home
3. Gerund as a condition:
   • He left without saying goodbye.
   • She achieved success by working hard.
4. Gerund as other roles:
   • I need help with cleaning the house
   • They are interested in learning new languages

Gerund/Infinitive | A test of 30 questions

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Practice. Infinitive, gerund

They prefer _____ in a swimming pool all day

playing

plays

to playing

to play

Was your father _____ when you told him your exam results? He was furious.

worrying

frightened

tired

annoyed

My family is trying _____ where to go on holiday

decide

decided

to decide

deciding

Jane and Pete are _____ nice people! But I can’t stand their kids

so

such a

so many

such

He told me he loved me. I didn’t know what _____.

will I say

saying

say

to say

A woman from a travel agency helped us _____ a nice house

chooses

to choose

too choose

choosing

My wife and I are starting _____ we should stay at home.

think

thought

to think

thinking

When we arrived, the people next door invited us _____ a drink with them.

to had

to have

having

have

But my children hate _____.

to sightsee

sightsee

will sightsee

sightseeing

What _____ to do after university? I’d like to get a job in publishing

do you hope

will you hope

are you hope

are you going to hope

Do you enjoy _____?

danced

to dance

dancing

dance

We began _____ about next year’s holiday two months ago

talking

talks

talked

talk

“My mother was so helpful while she was staying with us. What _____ to do?

did she help you

will she help you

does she help you

was she helping you

We decided _____ a house with a swimming pool.

to rent

renting

to renting

rent

There were _____ people at the party! There was nowhere to dance

so many

such a

such

so much

I’m _____ hungry. I could eat a horse

such a

so

such

so much

They refuse _____ out on trips if it’s too hot

to go

going

go

to going

I’ll help you. What _____ me to do? Could you do the washing-up while I am doing the cooking?

are you wanting

did you want

you want

do you want

I went to the shops _____ some shoes

for to buy

for buy

buy

to buy

Last year we managed _____ a holiday that suited everyone

find

finding

found

to find

Their house is _____ mess! I don’t know how they live in it

such a

so

so many

such an

Everyone hopes ____ themselves on holiday but it isn’t always easy

be enjoyed

to enjoy

enjoy

enjoying

A present! For me? You’re _____ kind!

so

such a

so many

such

What _____ to do? I’m looking for my contact lens. Can you see it?

did you try

are you trying

will you try

do you try

I’ve spent _____ money this week! I don’t know where it’s all gone

such

so

so many

so much

I enjoy _____ places I’ve never been to before

to visit

visits

visit

visiting

What _____ to do tonight? What about going out for a meal?

would you like

do you like

are liking

will you like

When I was young, I _____ ice-skating

used to go

went to

go

going

I’d like _____ somewhere different for a change

went

to go

going

go

What _____ you to do? She (the doctor) told me to stay in bed for a few days

does she tell

did she tell

will she tell

is she going to tell

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