Verbs intermediate medium
When to use the -ing form (gerund) and when to use "to + verb" (infinitive) after another verb.
Verbs — Verb forms, modals and non-finite verbs.
1. Gerund = verb + -ing used as a noun: Reading is fun. I enjoy reading. 2. Infinitive = to + base verb: I want to read. 3. Some verbs take ONLY a gerund: enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, suggest, keep, practise, dislike, consider. 4. Some verbs take ONLY an infinitive: want, decide, hope, plan, promise, agree, refuse, manage, afford, learn. 5. Some take both with no change: begin, start, like, love, continue. 6. Some change meaning: stop smoking (quit) vs stop to smoke (pause in order to smoke); remember doing (memory) vs remember to do (don't forget). 7. Prepositions are always followed by a gerund: good at swimming, interested in learning.
After many verbs another verb follows, and whether it takes -ing or "to" is fixed by the first verb — it is not a free choice. Learn the verb + pattern lists; this is one of the most tested grammar points.
हिंदी में
एक क्रिया के बाद दूसरी क्रिया आए तो -ing (gerund) या to + क्रिया (infinitive) — यह पहली क्रिया तय करती है। इसे "verb + pattern" के रूप में याद करें।
Q1. Correct the sentence: "She avoids to eat junk food."
Answer: She avoids eating junk food.
💡 "avoid" belongs to the -ing group.
Q2. A gerund always ends in -ing and works as a noun.
Answer: True
💡 That is what makes it a gerund rather than a participle.
Q3. Find the error: "I am interested in to learn French."
Answer: to learn
💡 After a preposition use a gerund: "interested in learning".
Take a free placement test to find your level, practise Gerund vs Infinitive with instant feedback, then take a timed test.
Open Gerund vs Infinitive lesson → Free practice — Sign up| Topic | Level | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Main & Helping Verbs | elementary | Main verbs carry meaning; helping verbs build tenses and questions. |
| Main Verbs | elementary | The main verb carries the core meaning of the verb phrase. |
| Helping Verbs | elementary | Helpers (be, have, do, will, can…) build tenses, questions and negatives. |
| Modal Verbs | intermediate | Can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would — ability, permission, obligation, possibility. |
| Finite & Non-finite Verbs | upper_intermediate | Finite verbs show tense and agree with the subject; non-finite verbs do not. |
| Finite Verbs | upper_intermediate | Finite verbs show tense and agree with the subject. |
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