GERUND versus INFINITIVE

Exercise 1. Put the verbs into the gerund or the bare infinitive (without
to).
1. I watched her (get up) and (walk) slowly out of
the room.
2. I heard the phone (ring) twice and then stop.
3. Tim saw Jill (stand) outside the butchers as he was driving to
work.
4. Jane stopped to watch the river (flow) down the mountainside.
5. Listen to the wind (blow) through the trees.
6. We heard the workmen (drill) the road as we were eating
breakfast.
7. The witness saw the burglar (break into) the house and steal
the television.
8. Listen to him (sing) the song and then tell us what you think of
it.
Exercise 2. Put the verbs in brackets into the gerund or the infinitive.
1. A: Mum, this programmes nearly finished. Cant I go on (watch)
TV for a while?
B: No, I want you to do your Maths homework and then go on
(write) your English essay. You havent even started it yet and its due tomorrow.
2. A: Your dress is filthy. It wants (wash).
B: I know. I wanted (take) it to the cleaners yesterday, but they
were closed.
3. A: Ill never forget (visit) Thailand for the first time.
B: Yes, it was such a wonderful holiday. If only I hadnt forgotten
(take) my camera.
4. A: Why dont we stop (get) something to eat on the way home?
B: OK, but we should really stop (spend) money on junk food.
5. A: Did you remember (tell) him about the party?
B: I dont remember (tell) him, but Im sure I did.
6. A: Do you regret (offer) him the job?
B: Yes, I regret (say) hes not a reliable employee.

7. A: Did you mean (park) so far away?

B: Yes, otherwise it would mean (pay) to get into a car park.
8. A: Ive been trying (contact) Mr Isaacs all morning.
B: Why dont you try (phone) his club?
9. Do you remember (meet) her at my house last year?
10.

Please remember (wipe) your feet before coming in.

11.

I completely forgot (lock) the front door last night.

12.

Dont forget (bring) your bathing suit with you.

13.

These stockings need (mend).

14.

Do you need (buy) all that stuff?

15.

I regret (inform) you that your injury will prevent you from

playing any more matches this season.

16.

He regrets (argue) with the referee as it resulted in his being

sent off the pitch.

17.

the cyclist had to stop (mend) a flat tyre during the race.

18.

You should sop (smoke) if you want to enter the marathon

next year.
Exercise 3. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning
to the first sentence using the word given. You must use between two and
five words, including the words given.
1. Rita, could I borrow your dictionary?
MIND
Rita, me your dictionary?
2. Its impossible for me not to laugh when he starts singing.
HELP
I cant when he starts singing.
3. I dont like playing football very much.
KEEN
I playing football.
4. I hate it when Im ill.
STAND
I ill,
5. Andrea doesnt usually arrive late.
UNUSUAL
It arrive late.
6. Do you know where theyre going to hold the Olympic Games in 2008?
PLACE
Do you know where the Olympic Games are going
in 2008?
7. I cant play tennis very well.
GOOD
I playing tennis.
Exercise 4. Complete the sentences with the gerund or the infinitive of the
verbs in brackets.
1. My boss persuaded me (support) the action by
(convince) me that it will help me (develop) myself.

2. You didn't seem (be) interested in football w hen I last met you.
What made you (change) your mind? Imagine
(have to) run continuously for an hour and a half! It must
(cause) bad effects.
3. I regret (tell) you that you failed (pass) your
driving licence exam. But you may (take) it next time in two
weeks without (have to) pay.
4. We were supposed (find) a solution to the problem and we were
disappointed (know) that nobody would (pay)
us for the work.
5. We suggested (phone) the police w hen he turned out
(be) a well known thief.
6. My uncle ordered me (buy) him a shaving foam but he forgot
(give) me the money. So I went back. He said that he
remembered (give) me the money and he wanted me
(return) them.
7. Before (go) on holidays, I stopped (run) every
day and began (practise) cycling. I didn't mind
(run) but it was too tiring.
8. Don't work so hard. It's not worth (sacrifice) your health. You'd
better (find) some hobby.
9. I've never enjoyed (swim) because I've always failed
(remain) on the surface of the water.
10. We used (make) our own c1othes and once we even
succeeded in (sell) some of them.
11. He always tries (avoid) (meet) his boss
when the boss refuses (give) him a rise.
12. I'm afraid I've forgotten (turn off) the TV. Are you sure? Yes,
when I agreed (go) with you, I went out immediately.
13. I'd like you (consider) (visit) your aunt in
the hospital when you are in Cracow. She'll be waiting for you
(come).
14. I was surprised (find out) that you have passed all your
exams. I heard you had stopped (revise) long before them.
15. They were all glad (hear) that you are going to forbid you
employees (use) company cars after work.
Exercise 5. Complete the sentences with the gerund or the infinitive of the
verbs in brackets.
1. Stop (argue) and start (work).
2. I suggest (hold) another meeting next week.
3. He warned her (not touch) the wire.
4. Its difficult to get used to (eat) with chopsticks.
5. If you cant turn the key, try (put) some oil in the lock.
6. My mother told me (not speak) to anyone about it.
7. Imagine (live) with someone who never stops
(talk).

8. Would you mind (show) me how (work) the lift?

9. If a thing is worth (do) it is worth (do) well.
10.

I advise you (start) (look) for a flat at once.

11.

I suggest (phone) the hospitals before (ask)

the police (look) for him.

12.

He

hates

(answer)

the

phone

and

often

lets

it

(ring).
13.

After (hear) the conditions I decided (not

enter) the competition.

14.

Some people seem (have) passion for

(write) for the newspapers.

15.

He postponed (make) a decision till it was too late

(do) anything.
16.

Theres no point in (remain) in a dangerous place if you cant

do anything (help) the people who have (stay)

there.
17.

I distinctly remember (pay) him. I gave him $4.

18.

Please go on (write); I dont mind (wait).

19.

I'd rather (earn) my living by (scrub) floors

than (make) money by (blackmail) people.

20.

Id prefer (get) a taxi rather than (walk)

home.