Exercise - Infinitive or Gerund 3
Level A2
Complete each sentence with the infinitive with to or the -ing form of the verbs in brackets.
Grammar rules
If one verb follows another in an English sentence, that verb is used either in the infinitive or in the -ing form (gerund).
Some verbs are followed by an infinitive with to. These include:
- to afford
- to agree
- to choose
- to decide
- to expect
- to help (An infinitive without to is also possible.)
- to offer
- to refuse
- to wait
- to want
They agreed to pay for the damage.
She wants to invite a few of her friends.
Some verbs are followed by the -ing form (gerund). These include:
- to admit
- to avoid
- to consider
- to deny
- to enjoy
- to finish
- to imagine
- to mind
- to miss
- to practise
You should avoid walking in this neighbourhood at night.
I enjoy talking to his cousins.
Verbs followed by a preposition (think of, talk about …) are always followed by the -ing form (gerund).
They apologised for interrupting the speech.
Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or the -ing form (gerund). These include:
- to like
- to hate
- to prefer
- to continue
- to begin
- to start
Unfortunately, there is no clear rule as to which verb form follows another verb. You’ll have to learn each structure – ideally through plenty of exercise.
Answer explanations
I miss going to the abandoned house with my friends.
Miss is followed by an -ing form.
We can´t afford to fly to California this year.
(Can) afford is followed by an infinitive with to.
The woman refused to answer questions about her accomplice.
Refuse is followed by an infinitive with to.
They keep making the same mistakes over and over again.
Keep (on) is followed by an -ing form.
It is useful for young children to practise writing simple words.
Practise (AE: practice) is followed by an -ing form.
Let´s go dancing this weekend!
We use go + -ing form to talk about sports and other activities.
Would you prefer to go to an Italian restaurant?
Would prefer is followed by an infinitive with to. (Prefer without would can be followed by an infinitive or an -ing form.)
The men chose to ignore the warning sign and entered the forest.
Choose is followed by an infinitive with to.
Sam loves the village. He can´t imagine living anywhere else.
Imagine is followed by an -ing form.
We offered to pay the bill, but he declined.
Offer is followed by an infinitive with to.