INFINITIVE VS.

GERUND

VERB PATTERNS 1VERB PATTERNS 1

VB+GERUNDVB+GERUND

(To create a NOUN from a verb to express a general idea)

Verbs Followed by a Gerund“They enjoyed working on the boat”.

admitadviseappreciateavoidcan't helpcompleteconsider

delaydenydetestdislikeenjoyescapeexcuse

finishforbidget throughhaveimaginemindmiss

permitpostponepracticequitrecallreportresent

resistresumeriskspend (time)suggesttoleratewaste (time)

VB+GERUNDVB+GERUNDList of verbs followed by –ing formList of verbs followed by –ing form

WE USE THE INFINITIVE:WE USE THE INFINITIVE: After some adjectives and/or adverbs:

To form the subject of a verb that refers to something specific:

“To answer this question is essential”

VB+ TO INFINITIVEVB+ TO INFINITIVE

VB+INFINITIVE ≠ TOVB+INFINITIVE ≠ TO AFTER MODAL AND SEMI-MODAL VERBS:

Would Would rather Can Will

AFTER CERTAIN VERBS AND EXPRESSIONS:

VB + OBJECT+ TO INFINITIVEVB + OBJECT+ TO INFINITIVE

AFTER the INDIRECT OBJECT of certain verbs: (sb/sth to do)

AskTell Pay Allow Teach Help Would like Want

VB +OBJECT+INFINITIVE ≠TOVB +OBJECT+INFINITIVE ≠TO

WITH SOME VERBS AND VERBS OF PERCEPTION:

(sb/sth do)MakeHelpLetHearSeeFeel

List of verbs followed by Infinitive:Verbs Followed by an Infinitive“She agreed to speak before the game.”

agreeaimappeararrangeask attemptbe ablebegbegincare choosecondescend

consentcontinuedaredecidedeservedetestdislikeexpectfailforgetgethappen

havehesitatehopehurryintendleapleavelikelonglovemeanneglect

offeroughtplanpreferprepareproceedpromiseproposerefuseremembersay

shootstartstopstriveswearthreatentryusewaitwantwish

Verbs followed by Object and an Infinitive:Verbs Followed by an Object and an Infinitive“Everyone expected her to win.”

adviseallowaskbegbringbuildbuychallenge

choosecommanddaredirectencourageexpectforbidforce

havehireinstructinviteleadleaveletlike

lovemotivateorderpaypermitpersuadepreparepromise

remindrequiresendteachtellurgewantwarn

Note: Some of these verbs are included in the list aboveand may be used without an object.

Gerunds and infinitives: Verbs which choice affects the meaning!!!

• Remember and Forget• Stop• Try

Remember and ForgetYou should remember to post the letter

I shall always remember meeting you for the first time

Remember/forget + infinitive for necessary actions (future)

Remember/forget + gerund for memories of the past (past)

stopI stopped to smoke a cigarette

I stopped smoking cigarettes

Stop+ infinitive. To stop an activity so you can do something else

Stop+ gerund. To end an action, finish doing something

TryI´ll try to do it tomorrow

I tried cooking this new dish

Try + infinitive implies to make an effort

Try + gerund means to experiment with something