Infinitive vs Gerund

Master the use of the infinitive and gerund in English. Learn which verbs require each form and when to use each one to express yourself correctly.

Level B1-B2-C1-C2⏱️ 65 min📋 Requires: Present Tenses, Basic vocabulary, Understanding of verb forms
Topic Progress0%

What Are Infinitive and Gerund?

The infinitive and the gerund are verb forms that function as nouns. Knowing when to use each one is crucial for speaking English correctly, since some verbs require the infinitive, others the gerund, and some accept both.

📋 Quick Reference

1Infinitive: to + base verb (to go, to eat, to study)
2Gerund: verb + ing (going, eating, studying)
3Some verbs require only the infinitive
4Some verbs require only the gerund
5Some verbs accept both with different meanings

Infinitive

The infinitive is the base form of the verb preceded by "to". It is used in various grammatical structures.

Uses of the Infinitive
UseStructureExampleMeaning
After specific verbsverb + to + infinitiveI want to goI want to go
After adjectivesadjective + to + infinitiveIt's easy to learnIt's easy to learn
To express purposeto + infinitiveI study to passI study to pass
After some nounsnoun + to + infinitivetime to gotime to go
With 'too' and 'enough'too/enough + to + infinitivetoo tired to worktoo tired to work
🇪🇸 Spanish:

Quiero aprender inglés

🇬🇧 English:

I want to learn English

📝 Translation:

I want to learn English

🇪🇸 Spanish:

Es importante estudiar

🇬🇧 English:

It's important to study

📝 Translation:

It's important to study

🇪🇸 Spanish:

Voy a la tienda para comprar leche

🇬🇧 English:

I go to the store to buy milk

📝 Translation:

I go to the store to buy milk

Verbs That Require the Infinitive

These verbs are followed by the infinitive:

Examples:
  • Want, need, hope, decide, plan, promise
  • Agree, refuse, offer, attempt, fail
  • Learn, teach, help (optional), choose
💡
Remember: After these verbs we always use "to + infinitive", never the gerund.

Gerund

The gerund is the "-ing" form of the verb that functions as a noun. It is used in various structures.

Uses of the Gerund
UseStructureExampleMeaning
As subjectgerund + verbSwimming is funSwimming is fun
After specific verbsverb + gerundI enjoy readingI enjoy reading
After prepositionspreposition + gerundgood at singinggood at singing
After some expressionsexpression + gerundIt's worth tryingIt's worth trying
As direct objectverb + gerundI finished workingI finished working
🇪🇸 Spanish:

Nadar es bueno para la salud

🇬🇧 English:

Swimming is good for health

📝 Translation:

Swimming is good for health

🇪🇸 Spanish:

Disfruto cocinando

🇬🇧 English:

I enjoy cooking

📝 Translation:

I enjoy cooking

🇪🇸 Spanish:

Soy bueno cantando

🇬🇧 English:

I am good at singing

📝 Translation:

I am good at singing

Verbs That Require the Gerund

These verbs are followed by the gerund:

Examples:
  • Enjoy, like, love, hate, prefer
  • Avoid, consider, suggest, recommend
  • Finish, stop, quit, give up, keep on
  • Mind, imagine, practice, admit, deny
⚠️
Watch out! After these verbs we use the gerund, not the infinitive.

Verbs That Accept Both

Some verbs can be followed by both the infinitive and the gerund, but with different meanings.

Verbs with Both Uses
VerbWith InfinitiveWith GerundDifference
Rememberremember to do (remember to do)remember doing (remember having done)Timing of the action
Forgetforget to do (forget to do)forget doing (forget having done)Timing of the action
Trytry to do (try to do)try doing (try doing)Purpose vs experiment
Stopstop to do (stop in order to do)stop doing (stop doing)Purpose vs cease
Likelike to do (prefer to do)like doing (enjoy doing)Preference vs enjoyment
🇪🇸 Spanish:

Recuerda cerrar la puerta

🇬🇧 English:

Remember to close the door

📝 Translation:

Remember to close the door

🇪🇸 Spanish:

Recuerdo haber cerrado la puerta

🇬🇧 English:

I remember closing the door

📝 Translation:

I remember closing the door

🇪🇸 Spanish:

Intento aprender inglés

🇬🇧 English:

I try to learn English

📝 Translation:

I try to learn English

🇪🇸 Spanish:

Pruebo aprender inglés

🇬🇧 English:

I try learning English

📝 Translation:

I try learning English

✅
Tip: The main difference is timing: infinitive = future, gerund = past.

Common Expressions

Many expressions require the infinitive or gerund specifically.

Expressions with Infinitive and Gerund
ExpressionFormExampleMeaning
It's + adjectiveto + infinitiveIt's important to studyIt's important to study
Too + adjectiveto + infinitivetoo tired to worktoo tired to work
Adjective + enoughto + infinitiveold enough to driveold enough to drive
Be good/bad atgerundgood at swimminggood at swimming
Be interested ingerundinterested in learninginterested in learning
Look forward togerundlook forward to seeinglook forward to seeing
🇪🇸 Spanish:

Es fácil aprender inglés

🇬🇧 English:

It's easy to learn English

📝 Translation:

It's easy to learn English

🇪🇸 Spanish:

Soy bueno nadando

🇬🇧 English:

I am good at swimming

📝 Translation:

I am good at swimming

🇪🇸 Spanish:

Tengo ganas de verte

🇬🇧 English:

I look forward to seeing you

📝 Translation:

I look forward to seeing you

💡
Note: "Look forward to" is followed by a gerund, even though "to" looks like an infinitive marker.

Common Mistakes

❌
Error: "I enjoy to read" ❌
Correct: "I enjoy reading" ✅
'Enjoy' is followed by a gerund, not an infinitive
❌
Error: "I want going home" ❌
Correct: "I want to go home" ✅
'Want' is followed by an infinitive, not a gerund
❌
Error: "I'm looking forward to see you" ❌
Correct: "I'm looking forward to seeing you" ✅
'Look forward to' is followed by a gerund
❌
Error: "I stopped to smoke" (to quit smoking) ❌
Correct: "I stopped smoking" ✅
To express 'stop doing something' we use the gerund

Important Rules

1. Preference verbs

Like, love, hate, prefer can use both, but with different nuances.

Examples:
  • I like to swim (general preference)
  • I like swimming (I enjoy the activity)

2. After prepositions

We always use the gerund after prepositions.

Examples:
  • Good at swimming
  • Interested in learning
  • Afraid of flying

3. As subject

Both infinitive and gerund can be subjects, but the gerund is more common.

Examples:
  • Swimming is fun (more common)
  • To swim is fun (less common)
← Back to Theory