Gerunds and Infinitives
Why do we enjoy reading but decide to read? Verb patterns are part grammar and part vocabulary. Learn them in useful families: and notice when the pattern changes the meaning.
About 23 minutes · Guided practice · 10-question mastery test
Understand · You say · Check
A clear route through the lesson
Learn each verb with its pattern. Spend a few extra minutes on the meaning pairs below, because the final check asks you to distinguish them.
Read the explanations, answer aloud at each You say pause, then reveal the model and check one point. A model is one possible answer. Finish with the 10-question understanding check.
Keep the learner’s speaking time. At each You say pause, use the suggested follow-up and one correction focus. Finish with the 10-question understanding check.
By the end of this lesson, you can…
The essential rules
Verb + -ing
Common verbs include enjoy, avoid, finish, suggest, mind and consider. When a preposition is followed directly by a verb, use its -ing form.
She avoids driving. · Thank you for helping.Verb + to-infinitive
Common verbs include decide, hope, plan, promise, refuse and want. Use it to express purpose.
We decided to wait. · I called to confirm.Object and bare infinitive
Some verbs take object + to-infinitive. Modals and let/make normally take the bare infinitive.
They asked me to stay. · You must leave. · Let him speak.When the pattern changes the meaning
| Verb | To + base | -ing |
|---|---|---|
| remember | Remember to lock it: do not forget the action still to do. | I remember locking it: I recall the past action. |
| try | I tried to open it: I made an effort, perhaps unsuccessfully. | Try restarting it: test this possible solution. |
| stop | I stopped to drink: I paused another activity in order to drink. | I stopped drinking coffee: I ended that activity or habit. |
| regret | We regret to inform you: a formal way to introduce bad news now. | I regret sending it: I feel sorry about a past action. |
See the pattern
| Pattern | Typical verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb + -ing | enjoy, avoid, finish, suggest | They suggested taking a taxi. |
| verb + to + base | hope, decide, agree, learn | She agreed to help. |
| verb + object + to + base | ask, tell, encourage, allow | He reminded me to call. |
| modal + base | can, should, must, might | You should check. |
Three mistakes to avoid
Guided practice
Try each item before opening the answer.
1. Complete: He promised ___ (call) after work.
to call: promise takes the to-infinitive.
2. Complete: Would you mind ___ (open) the window?
opening: mind takes -ing.
3. Explain: I stopped smoking.
I ended the habit of smoking.
4. Explain: I stopped to smoke.
I stopped another activity in order to smoke.
Final check
Check your understanding
Choose one answer for each question. Read the context carefully: a question may ask for a particular form, meaning or register. The explanations show why that answer fits.
0 of 10 questions answered