GRAMMAR

Gerunds and Infinitives: Change of meanings

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There are some verbs that change their meaning if they are followed by a gerund or an infinitive. The best way to learn them is by organizing them in a chart to visualize the differences.

 Grammar Practice

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb.

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Flip the cards to check your answer.

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GRAMMAR

Gerunds and Infinitives

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Gerund

(+) verbing

(-) not verbing

We use the gerund (verb + ing)

  1. After prepositions and phrasal verbs
  2. As the subject of the sentence
  3. After some verbs:

admit, avoid, deny, dislike, enjoy, feel like, finish, hate, keep, like, love, mind, miss, practice, prefer, recommend, spend time/money, stop, suggest, give up, go on, etc.

The infinitive (to + base form)

(+) to + verb

(-) not to + verb

We use the infinitive

  1. After adjectives
  2. To express a reason or purpose
  3. after some verbs:

(can’t) afford, agree, decide, expect, forget, help, hope, learn, need, offer, plan, pretend, promise, refuse, remember, seem, try, want, would like, etc.

More verbs take the infinitive than the gerund.

The base form

We use the base form

  1. after most modal verbs and auxiliary verbs
  2. After make and let

Watch the following video for examples

 Grammar Review

Level of difficulty: ⭐

 Grammar Practice

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb

Flip the tile to check your answer

Quiz

 Speaking Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐

Ask and answer the following questions