Verbs + Gerund  &  Verbs + Infinitive

 

Many of you have asked me about this forever-confusing topic: "what is the rule for using a verb in gerund form, or infinitive form, after another verb?"

Examples:

 

It started raining.     OR        It started to rain.

I avoid getting in trouble.    OR    I avoid to get in trouble.

(veja as formas corretas na lista abaixo)

 

Rule # 1: there is no rule!

 

This is one of those cases that we just have to know it! We just have to be used to the way it is. How?? By practicing the language! The more you read and observe and pay attention to what you are reading, the more you will get it!

Here are some examples of usage:

 

 

I recommend studying English every day to become fluent.

Do you recall inviting her to the party?

I don't mind going to the beach when is raining.

They enjoy reading my books!

I resent talking to you.

I failed to arrive in time for the meeting.

Susan cannot afford to go to Italy this year.

You deserve to have a better job!  You know English so well!

I am not expecting to arrive there before noon.

Shoul I choose to drive the car or the truck?

 

When in doubt, check out the list below: 

 

Verbs Followed by Gerund	Verbs Followed by Infinitive
acknowledge	afford
admit	agree
adore	appear
anticipate	arrange
appreciate	ask
avoid	attempt
celebrate	care
confess	choose
contemplate	claim
delay	come
deny	consent
describe	dare
detest	decide
discuss	demand
dislike	deserve
dread	determine
endure	elect
enjoy	endeavour
fancy	expect
finish	fail
imagine	get
involve	guarentee
keep	hesitate
justify	hope
mention	hurry
mind	incline
miss	intend
omit	learn
postpone	long
practice	manage
quit	mean
recall	need
recommend	offer
regret	plan
report	prepare
resent	pretend
resume	promise
risk	refuse
suggest	resolve
tolerate	say
understand	seem
	tend
	threaten
	want
	wish

 

Verbs that can be used in both forms:

without change of meaning:

prefer /  start / beging / continue / hate / neglect / like / love / help

In this case, we often use the gerund form in general situations; and the infinitive in specific situations.

 

Examples:

a) I prefer to call you tomorrow, because I'll be free. (specific situation)

b) I prefer calling people than emailing them. (general situation) 

 

With a change in meaning:

stop / try / forget / remember

 

Examples:

STOP:

a) I will stop to buy lottery tickets.

b) I will stop buying lottery tickets.

 

Is there a difference between those two sentences?

Yes, there is!!! In fact, they mean opposite things!

 

In example (a) I am saying that I will stop at a place and I will buy lottery tickets.  I will stop in order to buy them.

In example (b) I am saying that I will stop/cease doing something. "Buying" is a noun here - not a verb. "Buying" here is  "the act of buying" - it's a thing, an event.  I will interrupt my habit of buying lottery tickets => I will stop buying lottery tickets.

 

You do this one now:

a) I will stop to eat snacks on my way home.

b) I will stop eating snacks on my way home.

• Which one says that I won't eat snacks on my way home anymore;  and
   
• which one says that I will stop the car when I am on my way home and I will eat some snacks?

As you see, "parar para comer" and "parar de comer" têm sentidos bem opostos! 

 

TIP: you must recognize if the verb after "stop" is a verb in  action or a verb with noun function.  If it's action, must be infinitive; if it's noun it takes the gerund form.

Same principle applies to the other verbs:  try, forget, remember

TRY: 

a) Please try to do your homework this evening.

"Try to do something"  implies making an effort to start something. In other words: Please, make an effort to do your homework this evening.

 

b) I have an idea! Try doing your homework in the evenings.

"Try doing something" implies suggestion: experiment the option of doing your homework in the evenings instead of in the mornings.

Again, as you see in example (a), "to do" is a verb; and in example (b) "doing" is a noun (an option of doing something).

 

REMEMBER:

a) I didn't remember to turn the lights off when I left.

It means: At that specific moment in past  I didn't remember to perform an action:  to turn the lights off....   (to turn = verb / infinitive form)

b) I don't remember turning the lights off when I left.

It means: At this present moment I don't recall the moment or the event in the past of turning off the lights.  (turning = noun / gerund form)

 

Do you REMEMBER learnING how to ride a bike or how to drive a car? All learnings are like this, slow at first, then we improve naturally - if we persist and practice the skill!

So, STOP procrastinatING and TRY puttING more attention when you read!

STOP TO think about this and TRY TO REMEMBER TO read these tips when you are in doubt about what to use (infinitive or gerund).

And,  if you haven't got these differences yet, ask me and I'll explain it all again.

 

  

  

 

 

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