Grammar Focus - Gerunds / Infinitives

1. Use the -ing form after the following verbs: avoid, deny, enjoy, finish, give up, mind, spend.

a) I enjoyed working at the restaurant.
b) Finally, she gave up smoking.

2. Use a to-infinitive after the following verbs: agree, decide, expect, fail, hope, want.

a) He agreed to join our soccer team.
b) I want to travel to the moon some day

3. Use a to-infinitive after the following verbs plus their objects: allow, ask, expect, tell, want, would like.

a) My boss told me to finish the project by next Monday.
b) She asked her husband to stop smoking.

4. Use the -ing form after the following verb phrases: look forward to, get used to, object to, can't help, can't stand.

a) I look forward to hearing from you soon.
b) We can't help having more cookies. They're delicious!

5. After the following verbs, the to-infinitive and -ing forms have the same meaning: begin, hate, like, prefer, start.

a) It began to rain. = It began raining.
b) I like to ride a bike. = I like riding a bike.

6. After the following verbs, the to-infinitive and -ing forms have different meanings: try, remember, forget.

a) He remembered to call his friend.
b) He remembered calling his friend.

7. Use the -ing form when using go+ verb constructions with the following verbs: camp, hunt, skate, dance, jog, swim.

a) All our class went camping last weekend.
b) I would like to go fishing this Saturday.

8. Use only the -ing form after a preposition.

a) They talked about studying together.
b) I am interested in traveling to France.