Gerund vs Infinitive: Rules, Verb Lists & Examples

Gerund vs infinitive is about choosing between -ing and to + verb. In many cases, the gerund feels like a real or completed thing, while the infinitive feels like a possible or future action. Some verbs always want one form, some can take both, and a few verbs change meaning depending on the form.

Key Takeaways

• A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that acts like a noun.
• An infinitive is to + base verb and often points to a future, possible, or intended action.
• We often use gerunds after prepositions, after some common verbs, and as subjects.
• We often use infinitives after verbs like decide, want, hope, and agree.
• Some adjectives are followed by infinitives, especially when we explain a reason or result.
• A few verbs change meaning when followed by a gerund or an infinitive.
• The safest way to learn verb patterns is to learn each verb with its usual pattern, not just its meaning.

What is a gerund and what is an infinitive?

A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that works like a noun. An infinitive is to + base verb, and it often works like the idea of an action before it happens.

Here is the memory trick: gerund = a real or completed thing; infinitive = a potential or future action. This is not the only rule, but it helps you remember why many patterns feel the way they do.

Side-by-side examples

• She enjoys swimming in cold water. | She wants to swim in cold water.
• I’m good at drawing maps. | I decided to draw a map.
• Reading before bed helps me relax. | I hope to read more this year.

When do I use a gerund?

Use a gerund when the verb acts like a noun, especially after prepositions, as a subject, and after many common verbs such as enjoy, avoid, mind, and finish.

1) After prepositions

After a preposition, use a gerund, not an infinitive. Common prepositions include about, after, before, without, for, in, and by.

• He apologized for arriving late.
• They talked about moving to Canada.
• She left without saying goodbye.

Wrong: He apologized for to arrive late. Right: He apologized for arriving late. Why: For is a preposition, and prepositions are followed by gerunds.

2) As the subject of a sentence

A gerund can be the subject when the action itself is the topic.

• Studying every day improves your memory.
• Driving at night makes me sleepy.
• Cooking for other people can be fun.

Wrong: To study every day improves your memory. Right: Studying every day improves your memory. Why: As a subject, the gerund sounds natural and noun-like.

3) After certain common verbs

Some verbs are usually followed by a gerund. The most common ones are enjoy, avoid, mind, finish, suggest, and recommend.

• I enjoy listening to podcasts.
• We finished cleaning the kitchen.
• She avoids eating late at night.

Here are more examples of verbs followed by gerund:

• He suggested taking a taxi.
• They mind waiting outside.
• I recommend booking early.

If you also want help with common collocations, see our guide to make vs do and our article on say vs tell, because verb patterns often travel with vocabulary patterns.

When do I use an infinitive?

Use an infinitive after many verbs that express decision, desire, hope, agreement, and plans. Use it after adjectives, and use it to show purpose.

1) After verbs like decide, want, hope, and agree

These verbs often lead to an intention, choice, or plan, so the infinitive fits well.

• She decided to leave early.
• I want to learn French.
• They agreed to help us.

Wrong: She decided leaving early. Right: She decided to leave early. Why: Decide is usually followed by an infinitive.

2) After adjectives

Many adjectives are followed by infinitives, especially when we explain how we feel, what is easy or hard, or what is possible.

• It is hard to explain this rule.
• I’m happy to meet you.
• She was surprised to hear the news.

Wrong: It is hard explaining this rule. Right: It is hard to explain this rule. Why: Adjectives often need an infinitive phrase after them.

3) To show purpose

Use the infinitive when you want to say why someone does something.

• I went to the library to study.
• He opened the window to get some fresh air.
• We saved money to buy a new laptop.

This use is common in writing, including formal messages. If you write emails in English, verb patterns matter a lot; our guide to how to write a formal email in English can help you sound more natural.

Which verbs can take a gerund, an infinitive, or both?

Some verbs take only a gerund, some take only an infinitive, and some can take both. The “both” group is important because the meaning may stay the same or change slightly.

Gerund-only verbs

These verbs are usually followed by a gerund:

• enjoy
• avoid
• mind
• finish
• suggest
• recommend
• consider
• keep
• delay
• deny

Examples:

• She enjoys running in the morning.
• I avoid using my phone at dinner.
• He denied taking the keys.

Infinitive-only verbs

These verbs are usually followed by an infinitive:

• decide
• want
• hope
• need
• plan
• agree
• refuse
• promise
• learn
• choose

Examples:

• They plan to move in July.
• I need to rest.
• She promised to call.

Verbs that can take both

Some verbs can take a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning may be the same or different.

• begin / start
• continue
• like
• love
• hate
• prefer
• bother

Examples with similar meaning:

• It started raining.
• It started to rain.
• She likes reading.
• She likes to read.

For more writing practice with patterns, B1 English Writing Practice is useful, and Blindspot can also turn the verbs you miss into instant exercises from your own writing.

Which verbs change meaning with gerund vs infinitive?

A few verbs change meaning depending on whether you use a gerund or an infinitive. These are very important because the form changes the message, not just the grammar.

Stop

• stop + gerund = quit an activity
• stop + infinitive = pause one action in order to do another

Examples:

• He stopped smoking last year. = He quit smoking.
• He stopped to smoke. = He paused another activity in order to smoke.

Remember

• remember + gerund = remember a past action
• remember + infinitive = remember to do a future duty

Examples:

• I remember locking the door. = I remember a past action.
• Remember to lock the door. = Do not forget this duty.

Forget

• forget + gerund = forget a past action
• forget + infinitive = forget to do something needed

Examples:

• She’ll never forget meeting him. = a memory.
• She forgot to meet him at the station. = she did not do it.

Try

• try + gerund = experiment with a method
• try + infinitive = make an effort

Examples:

• Try turning the key slowly. = test this method.
• Try to turn the key slowly. = make an effort.

Regret

• regret + gerund = feel sorry about a past action
• regret + infinitive = usually formal; say bad news or an official statement

Examples:

• I regret telling him the secret.
• We regret to inform you that your flight is delayed.

Go on

• go on + gerund = continue the same activity
• go on + infinitive = do the next action after something else

Examples:

• She went on talking for an hour.
• After the test, she went on to study law.

How do I choose fast in real writing?

Choose in this order:

1. Check whether the word before it is a preposition. If yes, use a gerund.
2. Check whether the verb is on your gerund-only or infinitive-only list.
3. Check whether the verb is one of the meaning-change verbs.
4. If the verb is followed by an adjective or a purpose phrase, use an infinitive.

This simple check saves time and helps you sound more natural.

Common Mistakes

Wrong: I enjoy to watch documentaries. Right: I enjoy watching documentaries. Why: Enjoy is followed by a gerund.

Wrong: She wants going home early. Right: She wants to go home early. Why: Want is followed by an infinitive.

Wrong: He left without to say anything. Right: He left without saying anything. Why: A preposition must be followed by a gerund.

Wrong: I stopped to smoke last year. Right: I stopped smoking last year. Why: In this meaning, stop means quit, so use a gerund.

Quick Summary / Cheat Sheet

• Use a gerund after prepositions.
• Use a gerund after common verbs like enjoy, avoid, mind, and finish.
• Use an infinitive after verbs like decide, want, hope, and agree.
• Use an infinitive after many adjectives.
• Use an infinitive to show purpose.
• Learn meaning-change verbs as pairs, because the form changes the meaning.
• When in doubt, check the verb pattern before you write.

FAQ

Can I use both gerund and infinitive after the same verb?

Yes, sometimes you can. With some verbs, both forms are correct, but the meaning may be the same or slightly different.

Is a gerund a noun?

A gerund is not a normal noun, but it behaves like one. It can be the subject or object of a sentence.

Is an infinitive always after to?

In this article, yes: infinitive means to + base verb. That is the form learners need most often.

How can I remember the difference?

Remember this simple idea: gerund = real/completed; infinitive = possible/future. It will not solve every case, but it is a very useful guide.

If you want to practise verb patterns in your own writing and get instant correction, Blindspot can help by turning your mistakes into targeted exercises automatically. You can try it here: /