When one verb follows another, the second verb is either a gerund (-ing: I enjoy swimming) or an infinitive (to + verb: I want to swim). Which one you need depends on the first verb. There’s no single rule, but there are clear patterns. The table lists the most common verbs. Then practise below and read the explanation after each answer.
| Pattern | Common verbs and phrases | Example |
|---|---|---|
| + -ing | enjoy, avoid, mind, finish, suggest, consider, keep, can’t stand, it’s worth, there’s no point | I avoid driving at night. |
| + to + verb | want, decide, hope, agree, promise, refuse, need, afford, would like | We decided to stay. |
| + person + to + verb | want, ask, tell, advise, encourage, would like | She asked me to help. |
| + base verb | make, let, help, would rather, had better | They made us wait. |
| after prepositions | good at, interested in, instead of, look forward to, be used to | I’m interested in learning Spanish. |
Gerund vs infinitive exercises
Four sets of 20 questions: the main patterns (A2–B1), verbs that change meaning (B1–B2), perfect and passive forms like having done and being told (C1), and an At work set. Prefer to check everything at the end? Switch to Exam mode.
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I enjoy in the sea.
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She wants a doctor.
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Would you mind (open) the window?
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We decided a new car.
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He’s good at football.
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I hope (see) you soon.
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Do you fancy to the cinema tonight?
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They agreed us.
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I’m looking forward to (meet) you.
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Can you help me this box?
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My parents let me late at weekends.
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She finished (write) the report at midnight.
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I’d like a coffee, please.
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I went to the shop some bread.
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He avoided (answer) the question.
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It’s easy this game.
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She promised me.
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(swim) is good exercise.
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I’m thinking about a new job.
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We need early tomorrow.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
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I stopped two years ago. I feel much healthier now.
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On the way home, we stopped some petrol.
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Remember (lock) the door when you leave.
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I remember him at a party years ago.
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Don’t forget your mum on her birthday.
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I’ll never forget (see) the sea for the first time.
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She wants me her with the project.
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The teacher made us the essay again.
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My boss asked me (stay) late.
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If you can’t sleep, try a glass of warm milk.
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I regret you that your application was unsuccessful.
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I regret so much money on that car.
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She’s used to (work) at night.
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Instead of a taxi, we walked.
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He refused the documents.
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Would you like me (book) a table?
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I can’t stand in queues.
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There’s no point to him. He never listens.
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It’s not worth (repair) this old phone.
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She went on even though everyone was tired.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
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She introduced herself and then went on about her research.
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He denied the money.
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She appears (forget) about the meeting.
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I’m considering abroad.
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He doesn’t like what to do.
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The house needs .
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I can’t help (think) that something is wrong.
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She meant you, but she forgot.
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Taking this job would mean to London.
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I’d rather at home tonight.
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We object to (treat) like children.
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It’s no use about it now.
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He is said a fortune in the 90s.
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I’ll never get used to up so early.
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She was the first woman (climb) the mountain.
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I’m sorry you waiting.
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We’d better before it gets dark.
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He admitted the rules.
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I’m not in the habit of (lend) money to strangers.
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They’re too young the film.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
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I’m looking forward to from you.
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We’ve decided the price.
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Would you mind (send) me the report?
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My manager wants me the meeting.
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She suggested the deadline.
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We can’t afford (lose) this client.
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Please remember your timesheet by Friday.
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I remember that email, but I can’t find it now.
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Thank you for (come) to the interview.
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The company made everyone the safety course.
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He keeps late to meetings.
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I’m calling (ask) about the job advertisement.
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We regret you that the position has been filled.
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It’s difficult good staff these days.
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She’s interested in (work) abroad.
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The client refused the invoice.
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Have you considered a freelancer?
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Our CEO encouraged us (share) our ideas.
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I stopped to my colleague and answered the phone.
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Instead of an email, just call the client.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
Verbs that change meaning
| Verb | + -ing | + to + verb |
|---|---|---|
| stop | end an activity: I stopped smoking. | stop in order to do something: I stopped to buy petrol. |
| remember / forget | a memory of the past: I remember meeting him. | a task: Remember to lock the door. |
| try | an experiment: Try drinking warm milk. | make an effort: I tried to open it. |
| regret | be sorry about the past: I regret spending so much. | formal bad news: We regret to inform you… |
| mean | involve: It means moving to London. | intend: I meant to call you. |
| go on | continue: She went on talking. | do something next: She went on to talk about… |
Common mistakes
- ❌ I’m looking forward to meet you. → ✅ …to meeting you. (to is a preposition here)
- ❌ He suggested to go home. → ✅ He suggested going home.
- ❌ She made me to wait. → ✅ She made me wait.
- ❌ I want that you help me. → ✅ I want you to help me.
FAQ
Which verbs can take both forms with the same meaning?
Like, love, hate, prefer, start, begin and continue can usually take either form with little difference: I like swimming / I like to swim. It started raining / It started to rain. After would like / would love / would prefer, always use to.
How do I know if “to” is a preposition?
Try putting a noun after it. If a noun works, to is a preposition and you need -ing: I look forward to the weekend → I look forward to seeing you. Other common examples: be used to, get used to, object to, when it comes to, in addition to.
What is a perfect gerund?
Having + past participle shows that one action happened before another: He denied having taken the money. It’s often optional (He denied taking the money means the same), but it’s common in formal English. The infinitive version is to have done: She seems to have forgotten.