Gerunds and infinitives are two common verb forms in English. A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used like a noun: reading, swimming, learning. An infinitive is usually to + base verb: to read, to swim, to learn. The hard part is not the form. The hard part is knowing which one sounds natural after each verb.
Use a gerund after some verbs, after prepositions, and often when the action works like a noun. Use an infinitive after other verbs, after many adjectives, and to explain purpose.
What Is a Gerund?
A gerund looks like a present participle, but it works as a noun. It can be the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or the object of a preposition.
In these examples, reading and explaining name actions. They do not describe what someone is doing right now. They act like things or activities.
What Is an Infinitive?
An infinitive is usually formed with to + base verb. It often shows a plan, aim, need, decision, or reason.
I want to learn English.
She decided to stay home.
He called to ask a question.
In these sentences, the infinitive points toward an action. It can show what someone wants, plans, hopes, refuses, or tries to do.
Gerund vs Infinitive: The Main Difference
A gerund often talks about an activity as a general idea. An infinitive often points to a goal, choice, or future action. This is not a perfect rule, but it helps in many everyday sentences.
| Form | Pattern | Common Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gerund | verb + -ing | Activity, habit, noun-like action | I enjoy cooking. |
| Infinitive | to + base verb | Purpose, plan, decision, wish | I want to cook. |
| Bare Infinitive | base verb without to | After modal verbs and some verbs of help, make, let | She can cook. |
Use Gerunds After These Verbs
Some verbs are normally followed by a gerund, not an infinitive. These verbs often talk about likes, dislikes, habits, stopping, avoiding, or finishing an activity.
| Verb | Correct Pattern | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| enjoy | enjoy + gerund | They enjoy traveling. |
| avoid | avoid + gerund | Avoid making the same mistake. |
| finish | finish + gerund | She finished writing the email. |
| mind | mind + gerund | Do you mind waiting here? |
| suggest | suggest + gerund | He suggested taking a short break. |
| keep | keep + gerund | Keep practicing. |
A useful pattern: enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, suggest, keep usually need the -ing form after them.
Common Gerund Mistakes
✅ Correct
I avoid eating late at night.
She finished reading the report.
We discussed moving the meeting.
❌ Incorrect
I avoid to eat late at night.
She finished to read the report.
We discussed to move the meeting.
Use Infinitives After These Verbs
Other verbs are usually followed by an infinitive. These verbs often show a plan, promise, hope, decision, offer, or need.
| Verb | Correct Pattern | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| want | want + infinitive | I want to improve my writing. |
| decide | decide + infinitive | They decided to leave early. |
| hope | hope + infinitive | We hope to visit soon. |
| plan | plan + infinitive | She plans to study abroad. |
| promise | promise + infinitive | He promised to call later. |
| refuse | refuse + infinitive | They refused to answer. |
Common Infinitive Mistakes
✅ Correct
I want to learn Spanish.
She decided to apply today.
They promised to help.
❌ Incorrect
I want learning Spanish.
She decided applying today.
They promised helping.
Use Gerunds After Prepositions
After a preposition, use a gerund. This rule helps a lot because many English phrases end with prepositions such as about, after, before, by, for, in, of, and without.
She is interested in learning French.
Thank you for helping me.
He left without saying goodbye.
They talked about moving to a new city.
Do not use to + verb after a preposition. Say interested in learning, not interested in to learn.
Use Infinitives to Explain Purpose
An infinitive of purpose explains why someone does something. It answers the question why?
I opened the window to get some fresh air.
She went online to book a ticket.
He studied every evening to pass the exam.
Here, the infinitive gives the reason for the first action. It does not work as the object of the first verb. It tells the reader the purpose.
Use Infinitives After Many Adjectives
Many adjectives are followed by an infinitive. This pattern is common in everyday English.
It is easy to forget small details.
She was happy to help.
They are ready to start.
This form is difficult to complete.
The adjective describes a feeling, state, or level of difficulty. The infinitive tells what that feeling or state is connected to.
Verbs That Can Take Both Gerunds and Infinitives
Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or an infinitive. Sometimes the meaning stays almost the same. Sometimes the meaning changes.
| Verb | Gerund Example | Infinitive Example | Meaning Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| like | I like swimming. | I like to swim in the morning. | Both can be correct. The gerund often sounds more general. |
| love | She loves dancing. | She loves to dance. | Both are usually acceptable. |
| begin | It began raining. | It began to rain. | Both are often close in meaning. |
| start | He started working. | He started to work. | Both can work, depending on rhythm and context. |
| continue | They continued talking. | They continued to talk. | Both are normally fine. |
Remember, Forget, Stop, and Try
Some verbs change meaning depending on whether you use a gerund or an infinitive. These verbs deserve extra care.
| Verb | Gerund Meaning | Infinitive Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| remember | I remember meeting her. Memory of a past action. | Remember to call her. Do not forget a future action. |
| forget | I forgot meeting him. The past memory is gone. | I forgot to send the file. I did not do the action. |
| stop | She stopped smoking. She ended the habit. | She stopped to rest. She stopped in order to rest. |
| try | Try pressing this button. Test this method. | Try to press the button. Make an effort to do it. |
A Simple Memory Tip
With remember and forget, the gerund usually looks back. The infinitive usually looks forward.
Gerunds as Subjects
A gerund can start a sentence as the subject. This is common when talking about activities, habits, skills, or general ideas.
An infinitive can also be a subject, but it often sounds more formal or less natural in everyday speech.
More Natural
Learning English takes practice.
More Formal
To learn English takes practice.
Gerunds After Possessive Words
A possessive word can come before a gerund, especially in careful writing. This shows who performs the action.
I appreciate your helping me.
She was surprised by his leaving early.
They objected to our changing the plan.
In everyday English, many people say you helping or him leaving. In formal writing, your helping and his leaving are often preferred.
Bare Infinitives: Infinitives Without To
A bare infinitive is the base verb without to. Use it after modal verbs such as can, could, may, might, must, should, and will.
Do not use to after modal verbs.
✅ Correct
He must leave now.
❌ Incorrect
He must to leave now.
To as a Preposition Can Be Tricky
The word to does not always create an infinitive. Sometimes to is a preposition. When to is a preposition, use a gerund after it.
I look forward to meeting you.
She is used to working late.
They are committed to improving the service.
Say look forward to meeting, not look forward to meet. In this phrase, to is a preposition.
Passive Gerunds and Passive Infinitives
Gerunds and infinitives can also be passive. Use the passive form when the focus is on the action received, not on the person doing it.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Passive Gerund | being + past participle | She dislikes being interrupted. |
| Passive Infinitive | to be + past participle | The file needs to be checked. |
| Perfect Gerund | having + past participle | He denied having seen the message. |
| Perfect Infinitive | to have + past participle | She seems to have forgotten the date. |
These forms appear more often in careful writing, reports, formal emails, and advanced grammar tests. For daily English, start with the basic gerund and infinitive patterns first.
Common Sentence Patterns
The fastest way to choose the right form is to look at the word before the verb. Is it a verb that needs -ing? Is it a verb that needs to + base verb? Is it a preposition?
| Pattern | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb + gerund | After enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, suggest | We enjoy hiking. |
| verb + infinitive | After want, decide, hope, plan, promise | We plan to hike. |
| preposition + gerund | After in, on, at, about, for, without, before | We talked about hiking. |
| adjective + infinitive | After ready, happy, easy, hard, difficult | We are ready to hike. |
| modal + bare infinitive | After can, should, must, will, might | We can hike tomorrow. |
Practice Examples
Choose the form that sounds natural in each sentence. Then check the answer right after it.
1. She avoided ___ late.
✅ arriving
Use a gerund after avoid.
2. We decided ___ at home.
✅ to stay
Use an infinitive after decide.
3. He is interested in ___ music.
✅ learning
Use a gerund after a preposition.
4. I called ___ about the order.
✅ to ask
Use an infinitive to show purpose.
Common Errors to Avoid
- Use enjoy doing, not enjoy to do.
- Use avoid making, not avoid to make.
- Use want to go, not want going.
- Use decide to stay, not decide staying.
- Use look forward to seeing, not look forward to see.
- Use can help, not can to help.
A Simple Way to Choose the Right Form
- Look at the word before the verb.
- If it is a preposition, use a gerund.
- If it is a verb like enjoy, avoid, or finish, use a gerund.
- If it is a verb like want, decide, or hope, use an infinitive.
- If the sentence explains purpose, use to + base verb.
- If there is a modal verb like can, should, or must, use the base verb without to.
When in doubt, learn the verb pattern as a phrase: enjoy doing, want to do, interested in doing, ready to do. English grammar becomes easier when patterns are learned in small groups.
Mini FAQ
Is It Better to Say I Like Swimming or I Like to Swim?
Both are correct. I like swimming often sounds like a general preference. I like to swim can also be general, but it may sound more connected to a habit or choice in context.
Can a Gerund Be the Subject of a Sentence?
Yes. A gerund can be the subject: Reading improves vocabulary. This is common and natural in English.
Can an Infinitive Be the Subject of a Sentence?
Yes, but it often sounds more formal: To read every day is helpful. In everyday writing, Reading every day is helpful usually sounds smoother.
Why Is Look Forward to Seeing Correct?
In the phrase look forward to, the word to is a preposition. After a preposition, use a gerund. That is why look forward to seeing is correct.
What Is the Difference Between Stop Doing and Stop to Do?
Stop doing means end an action: She stopped talking. Stop to do means pause one action in order to do another: She stopped to answer the phone.
