GERUND OR INFINITIVE

Although there are plenty more verbs, here is a list of verbs which take a gerund, an infinitive or both.

A. GERUND
1. AS A NOUN, ESPECIALLY THE SUBJECT:
Smoking is a terrible habit.
2. AFTER SOME CONNECTORS: AFTER, BEFORE, WHILE, INSTEAD OF, IN SPITE OF, IN
ADDITION TO, AS WELL AS, ….
In spite of being too tired, we got to the top of the mountain.
After breaking the window, the children ran away.
3. AFTER A PREPOSITION: (See Unit 5)
I am interested in learning languages.
I'm not used to driving on the left.
She ran 25 Km without stopping.
I look forward to hearing from you.
You turn off the alarm by pressing this button. (How do you...?)
4. VERB + -ING
Give up (dejar de) Like / love After some Reporting Verbs-
Put off / postpone Dislike (See list, Unit 5)
Finish Enjoy Deny
Continue Mind (importar) Admit
Go on (continue) (can’t) stand (soportar) Suggest
Carry on (continue) Can’t help (evitar) etc
Keep (on) (continue) Fancy / Feel like (apetecer)
Avoid (evitar) It's no use / no good
Miss (echar de menos) It's worth (merece la pena)
Imagine
Consider
Risk (arriesgar)
Hate / dislike

Examples:
Do you feel like going to the theatre? Will you keep on trying to pass the driving test?
We all enjoy eating out. We all love/like to talk about ourselves
I love/like learning new languages I miss getting up late in the morning
Have you considered talking to her? I don’t want to risk losing my job.
I prefer going to the cinema to staying at home.
B. TO + INFINITIVE
1. BE + ADJECT. + TO + INFINITIVE
Examples:
They were anxious to begin. / He is lucky to have such good friends.
It was stupid of you (estúpido por tu parte) to press the emergency button.
It was kind of you to take me to the airport.
2. NOUN + TO + INFINITIVE
Examples:
There is no need to.…/ I had permission / the opportunity / the right to….
It is my duty to...
The best way to do something.
3. NOUN PHRASE + TO + INFINITIVE
Examples:
I have a lot of work to do. (mucho trabajo que hacer)
I have two more clients to call. (dos clientes a los que llamar)
4. TOO + ADJECTIVE/ADVERB + INFINITIVE; ADJECTIVE/ADVERB + ENOUGH + INFINITIVE
The box is too heavy (for me) to carry.
The television is too expensive (for us) to buy.

1
 She is not tall enough to reach the book on the shelf.
6. VERB + TO + INFINITIVE
Would like Hope Reporting verbs + INFINITIVE
Would prefer Seem (parecer) (See Reported Speech,Unit 5)
Would love Manage (conseguir) promise ...
Would hate Pretend(simular) threaten ...
Decide Afford (permitirse) etc
Plan
Arrange (organizar)
Examples:
Tom managed to repair the car himself.
The neighbours seemed to have moved out.
He pretended not to see me.
7. MAKE, LET AND HELP.
Active Passive
They made me stay. I was made to stay (passive)
They didn’t let me stay. I wasn't allowed to stay.
They helped me (to) cut the grass. I was helped to cut the grass. (passive)
8.PURPOSE (Finalidad)
Typical mistake: I went to the bank for to ask for a loan. (wrong)
I went to the bank to ask for a loan. (right)
C. -ING OR INFINITIVE

1. NO CHANGE OF MEANING (OR THE DIFFERENCE IS NOT VERY IMPORTANT)

Start, like, love, ….

2. CHANGE OF MEANING
a. ADVISE, ALLOW.
-ING(In general) INFINITIVE (In particular)
We don’t allow smoking here. My parents don’t allow me to smoke.
We advise taking the train. I advised them to take the train.

b. REMEMBER, FORGET, TRY, STOP, REGRET, MEAN, NEED.

(-ING)
• REMEMBER/FORGET/REGRET
-I remember visiting them once.
(recuerdo haberlo hecho)
-She has forgotten having an accident.
(haberlo tenido)
-I regret picking on him.
(lamento haberlo hecho)
• STOP
-Mary stopped seeing her boyfriend.
(dejar de)
• TRY
-If the door doesn’t open,
try using some lubricator
(probar a hacer otar cosa)
• MEAN
This promotion means (involves) having
more responsibility. (implica)
• NEED
The car needs cleaning.
(The car needs to be cleaned)
(passive-ser limpiado)
INFINITIVE
-Remember to go.
(recuerda que tienes que hacerlo)
-Don’t forget to come.
(tienes que hacerlo)
-I regret to inform you that…
(lamento tener que hacerlo)
-Mary stopped the car to see her boyfriend.
(parar para…)
-We tried to open the door but he couldn't.
(intentar)
I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.
(tener la intención)
You need to revise for the exam.