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

Do you enjoy _____?

danced

dancing

dance

to dance

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

so much

such

so many

so

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

going

to go

go

to going

They prefer _____ in a swimming pool all day

plays

to play

to playing

playing

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

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

think

thought

thinking

to think

I enjoy _____ places I’ve never been to before

visits

visit

visiting

to visit

I went to the shops _____ some shoes

to buy

for to buy

buy

for buy

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

such a

so many

such

so

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

talk

talked

talking

talks

Last year we managed _____ a holiday that suited everyone

found

finding

to find

find

When I was young, I _____ ice-skating

went to

go

going

used to go

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

will you try

are you trying

do you try

did you try

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

have

to have

to had

having

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

enjoying

to enjoy

enjoy

be enjoyed

I’m _____ hungry. I could eat a horse

such

so

such a

so much

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

worrying

annoyed

tired

frightened

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

so much

such a

so many

such

I’d like _____ somewhere different for a change

go

went

going

to go

We decided _____ a house with a swimming pool.

to renting

to rent

rent

renting

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

was she helping you

did she help you

does she help you

will she help you

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

do you like

are liking

would you like

will you like

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

did she tell

will she tell

does she tell

is she going to tell

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

do you want

are you wanting

you want

did you want

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

so

such a

so many

such an

A present! For me? You’re _____ kind!

such

so

such a

so many

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

choosing

too choose

to choose

chooses

But my children hate _____.

will sightsee

to sightsee

sightseeing

sightsee

My family is trying _____ where to go on holiday

deciding

to decide

decide

decided

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

say

to say

will I say

saying

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