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VERBS FOLLOWED BY THE INFINITIVE AND VERBS FOLLOWED BY THE GERUND

Some verbs are followed by the infinitive and others are followed by the gerund.

Verbs followed by the infinitive:

Agree-ask-expect-manage-attempt-learn-promise-need-neglect-hope-plan

Verbs followed by the gerund

Admit-avoid-dislike-consider-enjoy-finish-regret-admit-suggest-remember

Verbs followed either by the infinitive or by the gerund

Begin-continue-like-love-try-start-prefer-stop-hate-pretend

The rule is that:

1. If the action after the verb hasn’t started, we use the infinitive.

Example: I agree to help you. (I’ll help you later. I haven’t helped you.)

2. If the action after the verb has already started, we use the gerund.

Example: I regret helping you. (I’ve already helped you. The action of help has already started.)

Exercise 1.1:Use the infinitive or the gerund:

1. The teacher asked the students (pay) more attention.
2. It began (rain)       when we left school.
3. He has admitted (commit)       the crime.
4. I hate (watch)        violence films.
5. He enjoyed (spend)      holidays in Agadir last summer.
6. I remembered (post)    the letter when I got to the post office.
7. He avoided (quarrel)     with his classmate yesterday.
8. Burglars attempted (break into)     last night.
9. I promise (help)      you with your homework.
10. She pretended (know not)     him at the party last weekend.
11. They regret (visit not)          us.
12. They plan (travel not)      next summer. 
13. The accused denied (steal  )     the jewelry.
14. It started (rain)    as soon as we got home.
15. Lazy students postpone (do)      their assignments.
16. Would you mind (open)       the door?

Correction of exercise: 1.1

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