Learning objectives
- Identify verbs that are always followed by the gerund (-ing form)
- Identify verbs that are always followed by the to-infinitive
- Recognize verbs whose meaning changes depending on gerund or infinitive (stop, remember, forget, try)
- Use the gerund correctly after prepositions
- Use the gerund correctly as the subject of a sentence
- Apply the correct verb pattern in context
- Avoid common errors when choosing between the gerund and the infinitive
Grammar & vocabulary
Verbs followed only by the gerund (-ing)
enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, suggest, consider, admit, deny, practice, imagine, risk, keep (on), give up, put off. Examples: "I enjoy reading English novels." "She avoided answering the question directly." "Have you finished writing your essay?" "Would you mind opening the window?" "He suggested going to the cinema this weekend."
Verbs followed only by the to-infinitive
want, decide, hope, plan, promise, agree, refuse, manage, afford, offer, expect, learn, seem, wish. Examples: "They want to travel to Spain next summer." "She decided to study medicine." "He promised to call me back." "We managed to finish the project on time." "I hope to pass my Baccalauréat with good grades."
Verbs followed by either — with a change in meaning
stop + gerund = to end an activity that was in progress ("He stopped smoking last year." = he no longer smokes). stop + to-infinitive = to pause one activity in order to do something else ("He stopped to smoke a cigarette." = he paused what he was doing in order to smoke). remember / forget + gerund = to recall or fail to recall something already done ("I remember locking the door." = I have a memory of locking it). remember / forget + to-infinitive = to recall or fail to recall an obligation not yet done ("Remember to lock the door before you leave." = don't forget this upcoming duty). try + gerund = to experiment with something, to see what happens ("Try adding more sugar if the cake tastes bland."). try + to-infinitive = to make an effort to do something difficult ("I tried to open the jar, but it was too tight.").
Gerund after prepositions
A verb that directly follows a preposition must be in the -ing form. Examples: "She is interested in learning Japanese." "He is good at solving math problems." "They talked about moving to Rabat." "I'm looking forward to seeing you."
Gerund as the subject of a sentence
When a verb functions as the subject of the sentence, it takes the -ing form. Examples: "Swimming is excellent exercise." "Studying every day pays off in the long run."
Common mistakes
Using the infinitive after a preposition instead of the gerund — 'She is interested to learn Japanese' is wrong; the correct form is 'She is interested in learning Japanese.'
Confusing 'stop doing' and 'stop to do' — 'He stopped to smoke' does NOT mean he quit smoking; it means he paused to smoke.
Using the to-infinitive after verbs that require only the gerund, such as enjoy, avoid or finish — 'I enjoy to read' is incorrect; it should be 'I enjoy reading.'
Using the gerund after verbs that require only the to-infinitive, such as want, decide or hope — 'I want going' is incorrect; it should be 'I want to go.'
Mixing up 'remember to do' (a future obligation) with 'remember doing' (a past memory) — this changes the meaning of the sentence completely.
Worked example — A study routine
Passage
"Last week, I decided to reorganize my study schedule. I remember reading an article about time management, so I tried applying its advice. I stopped watching TV every evening and started studying instead. At first it was hard, and I sometimes forgot to do my homework, but I kept practicing my new routine. Now I really enjoy studying in the morning, and I'm looking forward to seeing better results in my next exam."
Explanation
"decided to reorganize" uses the to-infinitive because "decide" always takes to + verb. "remember reading" uses the gerund because it refers to a memory of a past action, not a future duty. "tried applying" uses the gerund because it means experimenting with a method, not struggling to do something difficult. "stopped watching" uses the gerund because it means ending the habit of watching TV. "forgot to do" uses the to-infinitive because it refers to an unfulfilled obligation. "kept practicing" uses the gerund because "keep" (meaning continue) always takes -ing. "enjoy studying" uses the gerund because "enjoy" always takes -ing. "looking forward to seeing" uses the gerund because this "to" is a preposition, not part of a to-infinitive.
3 practice exercises
Exercise 1
EasyChoose the correct form (gerund or infinitive). 1) She enjoys (to swim / swimming) in the sea. 2) They decided (to move / moving) to a new city. 3) He is good at (to draw / drawing).
Show answer
1) swimming 2) to move 3) drawing.
Exercise 2
MediumPut the verb in brackets into the correct form (gerund or infinitive). 1) I can't afford ___ (buy) a new phone right now. 2) She admitted ___ (make) a mistake in her calculation. 3) We are looking forward to ___ (see) you next week. 4) He refused ___ (answer) any questions.
Show answer
1) to buy 2) making 3) seeing 4) to answer.
Exercise 3
HardChoose the correct form and think about the difference in meaning. 1) On his way to work, he stopped ___ (buy) a coffee. 2) He stopped ___ (smoke) five years ago and never touched a cigarette again. 3) Did you remember ___ (send) the email I asked you about this morning? 4) I remember ___ (visit) Fes when I was a child — it's one of my favorite memories.
Show answer
1) to buy — he paused his journey in order to buy a coffee (purpose). 2) smoking — he ended the habit completely. 3) to send — an obligation he needed to fulfil. 4) visiting — a memory of a past event.
3 exercices, c'est un début.
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FAQ
What is the difference between 'stop doing something' and 'stop to do something'?
'Stop doing something' means ending an activity that was already happening — for example, 'He stopped smoking' means he quit the habit. 'Stop to do something' means pausing one activity in order to do something else — for example, 'He stopped to smoke' means he paused what he was doing in order to smoke a cigarette.
Which verbs are always followed by the gerund (-ing form)?
Verbs such as enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, suggest, consider, admit, deny and practice are always followed by the gerund, never by the to-infinitive — for example, 'I enjoy reading', not 'I enjoy to read'.
Why does the '-ing' form follow prepositions, as in 'interested in learning'?
In English, a verb that directly follows a preposition must take the -ing form, because prepositions are followed by nouns or noun-like forms, and the gerund functions as a noun in this position. That is why we say 'interested in learning' and 'good at solving', not 'interested in to learn'.