Gerunds vs Infinitives: Simple Rules for Daily English

Priya Sharma

Priya Sharma writes English learning guides for ESL students. Pune-based language enthusiast.

Visual representation of the voice · not a photographic portrait

Quick answer: Use gerunds (-ing) after verbs like enjoy, avoid, and stop. Use infinitives (to + verb) after verbs like want, need, and decide. Some verbs take both, but meanings change. Always check the verb first.↗ Share on X

Quick Start: Two Rules to Remember

Gerunds and infinitives are verb forms that act as nouns in sentences. Gerunds always end in -ing (swimming, reading). Infinitives always start with to (to swim, to read).

The first rule is simple: Some verbs only work with gerunds. For example, you say "I enjoy swimming" not "I enjoy to swim." Common verbs that take gerunds include avoid, consider, dislike, finish, keep, mind, miss, practice, suggest.

The second rule is also simple: Some verbs only work with infinitives. For example, you say "I want to swim" not "I want swimming." Common verbs that take infinitives include agree, decide, hope, learn, need, offer, plan, promise, refuse, want.

But what about verbs that take both? That’s where things get tricky. Don’t worry. We’ll break it down step by step.

Gerunds: When -ing is the Only Option

Gerunds feel natural when talking about actions that are real, completed, or part of your routine. They also sound smoother when the action is the subject of the sentence.

Look at these examples:

• "Reading books improves vocabulary." (action as subject)
• "She avoids eating junk food." (completed action)
• "They enjoy hiking on weekends." (repeated activity)

Notice how the gerund (-ing) fits naturally. It’s like the action is already happening in your mind. I remember teaching my cousin this rule. She kept saying "She avoids to eat junk food." I told her: "No, avoid always takes -ing." After practicing with real sentences, she got it.

Gerunds also follow certain prepositions. After words like about, at, by, for, in, of, on, and without, use gerunds:

• "She is good at painting."
• "He left without saying goodbye."
• "Are you interested in learning French?"

Infinitives: When to + Verb is Required

Infinitives sound natural when talking about plans, desires, or future actions. They feel like the action is still coming, not yet real.

Look at these examples:

• "I want to visit Paris someday." (desire)
• "She needs to finish her homework." (obligation)
• "They plan to move next year." (future action)

Infinitives also follow adjectives that describe feelings or opinions:

• "It’s important to listen carefully."
• "She’s happy to help."
• "It’s easy to learn with practice."

I once tutored a student who kept mixing up "I hope visiting" and "I hope to visit." I told him: "Hope always wants to + verb." After writing ten sentences with "hope to," he stopped making the mistake.

Verbs That Take Both: Watch the Meaning Change

Some verbs can use either gerunds or infinitives, but the meaning changes slightly. The most common are: forget, remember, stop, try, like, love, hate, begin, start.

Here’s how it works:

• Stop + gerund = stop an action completely

"She stopped smoking." (She no longer smokes)

• Stop + infinitive = stop to do something else

"She stopped to smoke." (She paused her activity to smoke)

• Remember + gerund = remember a past action

"I remember meeting her at the party." (I recall the past)

• Remember + infinitive = remember to do something in the future

"Remember to call your mom." (Don’t forget to do it)

• Try + gerund = experiment with an action

"Try eating less sugar." (Experiment with this action)

• Try + infinitive = make an effort to do something

"Try to finish early." (Make an effort to do it)

I saw a student once say "I forgot locking the door" when he meant "I forgot to lock the door." The first means he locked the door but can’t remember doing it. The second means he didn’t lock the door because he forgot. Big difference!

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Many learners mix up gerunds and infinitives because some verbs feel similar. Here are the top mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. After "to"

Wrong: "I want swimming."

Right: "I want to swim."

*Remember: "want" always takes "to + verb."

2. After "for"

Wrong: "She is famous for to sing."

Right: "She is famous for singing."

*Remember: "for" is a preposition. Use gerund after it.

3. After "would like"

Wrong: "I would like going."

Right: "I would like to go."

*Remember: "would like" always takes "to + verb."

4. After "need"

Wrong: "I need studying more."

Right: "I need to study more."

*Remember: "need" always takes "to + verb."

5. After "enjoy"

Wrong: "I enjoy to read."

Right: "I enjoy reading."

*Remember: "enjoy" always takes gerund.

Practice Makes Perfect: Real Sentences to Try

Try writing these sentences correctly. Check your answers at the end.

1. She loves _____ (dance / to dance).

2. He decided _____ (stay / to stay) home tonight.

3. They avoid _____ (eat / to eat) fast food.

4. I forgot _____ (lock / to lock) the door.

5. She needs _____ (practice / to practice) every day.

Answers: 1. dancing, 2. to stay, 3. eating, 4. to lock, 5. to practice

If you got all correct, great! If not, don’t worry. Keep practicing with real sentences. I used to write five sentences every morning with gerunds and five with infinitives. It helped me feel the difference naturally.

Quick Reference: Verb Groups to Memorize

Here’s a simple list to help you remember which verbs take which form. Bookmark this page or save the list on your phone.

Verbs that always take gerunds:

• Avoid, consider, dislike, enjoy, finish, keep, mind, miss, practice, suggest

Verbs that always take infinitives:

• Agree, decide, hope, learn, need, offer, plan, promise, refuse, want

Verbs that take both (meaning changes):

• Forget, remember, stop, try, like, love, hate, begin, start

Verbs followed by prepositions (use gerunds):

• About, at, by, for, in, of, on, without

Listen and Speak: How to Train Your Ear

The best way to learn is to hear how native speakers use gerunds and infinitives in real conversations. Watch movies, listen to podcasts, or talk to friends. Pay attention to these patterns:

• "I love swimming in the ocean." (gerund after love)
• "She wants to travel next year." (infinitive after want)
• "He stopped smoking last month." (gerund after stop)
• "Remember to call me when you arrive." (infinitive after remember)

I once listened to a podcast where the speaker said: "I enjoy hiking, but I hate to run." Notice how "enjoy" takes gerund and "hate" takes infinitive. Your ear will start to recognize these patterns naturally over time.

Write It Down: Build Your Own Examples

Writing your own sentences is the fastest way to learn. Every day, write five sentences using gerunds and five using infinitives. Use the verbs from the reference list above. Here are some topics to try:

• Your hobbies
• Your plans for the weekend
• Things you avoid doing
• Things you remember doing
• Things you need to do tomorrow

For example:

• "I love cooking Italian food." (gerund)
• "I need to buy groceries." (infinitive)
• "I avoid eating late at night." (gerund)
• "I remember meeting my best friend in school." (gerund)
• "I plan to visit my grandparents soon." (infinitive)

Common Questions from Learners

Many students ask similar questions when learning gerunds and infinitives. Here are the most frequent ones with clear answers.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use gerunds after 'to'?

No. 'To' is part of the infinitive form. Always use 'to + verb' for infinitives. For example, say 'to swim' not 'to swimming'.

Why do some verbs take both gerunds and infinitives?

Some verbs like 'stop' and 'try' change meaning depending on the form. The gerund focuses on the action itself, while the infinitive focuses on purpose or result. For example, 'She stopped smoking' means she quit, but 'She stopped to smoke' means she paused to smoke.

How do I know which form to use with verbs like 'like' or 'love'?

Both forms work, but the meaning is slightly different. 'I like swimming' means you enjoy the activity. 'I like to swim' means you prefer swimming over other activities. In most cases, both are correct.

What about after 'would like'?

Always use the infinitive. Say 'I would like to go' not 'I would like going'. The same rule applies to 'want', 'need', and 'hope'.

Can I use gerunds after adjectives?

No. After adjectives, use infinitives. For example, say 'It’s easy to learn' not 'It’s easy learning'. This rule applies to adjectives that describe feelings or opinions.