Contents

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:

Infinitive as an independent form:
- To swim
- To read
- To eat
Infinitive in conjunction with verbs:
- I want to learn English
- She decided to quit her job
- They need to buy groceries
Infinitive in combination with adjectives:
- It’s important to study regularly
- She was excited to meet her favorite singer
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:

Gerund as subject:
- Swimming is good for your health
- Singing brings me joy
Gerund as an adjunct:
- She enjoys reading books
- They don’t mind watching movies at home
Gerund as a condition:
- He left without saying goodbye.
- She achieved success by working hard.
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

Practice. Infinitive, gerund

When I was young, I _____ ice-skating

going

went to

used to go

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

will you try

did you try

are you trying

do you try

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

chooses

to choose

too choose

choosing

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

will she help you

was she helping you

does she help you

did she help you

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

such a

such

so many

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

tired

annoyed

worrying

frightened

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

thinking

thought

think

to think

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

do you want

did you want

are you wanting

you want

I’d like _____ somewhere different for a change

to go

went

going

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

do you hope

are you going to hope

are you hope

will you hope

Last year we managed _____ a holiday that suited everyone

finding

find

found

to find

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

so many

such

so much

such a

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

do you like

are liking

would you like

will you like

I went to the shops _____ some shoes

for buy

to buy

buy

for to buy

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

so many

such an

such a

We decided _____ a house with a swimming pool.

to rent

renting

rent

to renting

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

to say

will I say

saying

say

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

having

have

to had

to have

They prefer _____ in a swimming pool all day

to playing

playing

plays

to play

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

such

so many

so much

But my children hate _____.

sightsee

to sightsee

will sightsee

sightseeing

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

talking

talk

talks

talked

Do you enjoy _____?

dance

to dance

dancing

danced

I’m _____ hungry. I could eat a horse

such a

so much

such

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

enjoying

enjoy

be enjoyed

to enjoy

A present! For me? You’re _____ kind!

so many

such a

such

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

does she tell

will she tell

is she going to tell

did she tell

My family is trying _____ where to go on holiday

decide

deciding

decided

to decide

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

to go

going

to going

I enjoy _____ places I’ve never been to before

visit

visiting

visits

to visit

Your score is

Spread the love

Infinitive and Gerund in English. A test of 30 questions

Infinitive and Gerund in English

Infinitive in English

Gerund in English

Gerund/Infinitive | A test of 30 questions

Leave a Reply