For an interactive study experience with progress tracking, bookmarks, and solutions, try our reader.
Open in Interactive ReaderIntroduction to Infinitives and Gerunds
Infinitives and Gerunds are non-finite verb forms that functions as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence. Determining whether to use an infinitive or a gerund depends directly on the preceding main verb or preposition.
Infinitive र Gerunds वाक्यमा noun, adjective, वा adverb को काम गर्ने verb का रुप हुन्। कुन verb पछि infinitive (to + V1) प्रयोग गर्ने र कुन पछि gerund (V1 + ing) प्रयोग गर्ने भन्ने कुरा मुख्यतया वाक्यमा आउने मुख्य verb वा preposition मा निर्भर गर्दछ।
Understanding the Infinitive (to + V1)
The infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by 'to'. It is used to express goals, purposes, future plans, or intentions.
| Infinitive Form | Example Sentence | Functional Context |
|---|---|---|
| to eat | I want to eat. | Expressing a direct desire |
| to read | She likes to read books. | Expressing an active preference |
| to study | They plan to study tonight. | Expressing a future plan / design |
| to play | Children want to play. | Expressing an immediate objective |
| to go | He wants to go home. | Expressing structural direction |
| to sleep | I need to sleep. | Expressing a necessity or requirement |
Verbs Followed Strictly by Infinitives
These common verbs must always take an infinitive structure as their direct object: want, decide, hope, plan, promise, try, need, agree, refuse, expect, learn, ask.
Correct Format
I want to sleep immediately. (Correct verb pattern)She decided to study medicine. (Past action pointing to future goal)He promised to help me with the project.Incorrect Format
I want sleeping immediately.She decided studying medicine.He promised helping me with the project.Understanding the Gerund (V1 + ing)
A gerund is a verb ending in '-ing' that operates syntactically as a noun. It typically depicts activities, ongoing habits, enjoyment, or general facts.
| Gerund Form | Example Sentence | Functional Context |
|---|---|---|
| reading | Reading is my favorite hobby. | Subject of the sentence |
| playing | I enjoy playing football. | Direct object of the verb 'enjoy' |
| swimming | Swimming is good exercise. | Stating a general scientific truth |
| writing | She likes writing short stories. | Activity designation |
| studying | Studying is important for grades. | Noun-substitute topic |
| eating | Eating vegetables is healthy. | Gerund phrase as a subject |
Verbs Followed Strictly by Gerunds
These common verbs must always take a gerund structure as their direct object: enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, suggest, keep, practice, deny, admit, consider, dislike, miss, postpone, risk, imagine.
Correct Format
I enjoy reading epic fantasy books. (Correct dynamic pairing)He always avoids smoking in public zones. (Habitual avoidance rule)They suggested going home early.Incorrect Format
I enjoy to read epic fantasy books.He always avoids to smoke in public zones.They suggested to go home early.The Golden Preposition Rule
Prepositions ALWAYS demand a Gerund.
If a verb immediately follows a preposition (in, on, at, of, for, about, with, without, by, after, before), that verb MUST be written in its gerund (V1 + ing) format. This includes phrasal instances where 'to' functions strictly as a preposition.
यदि वाक्यमा कुनै पनि preposition (in, on, at, of, for, about, with, without, by, etc.) आएको छ र त्यसलगत्तै verb राख्नुपर्नेछ भने, त्यो सधैं Gerund (V1 + ing) रूपमा हुनुपर्दछ। विशेष गरी 'look forward to' र 'used to' मा यो नियम धेरै लागु हुन्छ।
She is highly interested in learning French. (Preposition 'in' context)
I look forward to seeing you soon. (Here 'to' is a preposition, not part of an infinitive)
He left the hall without saying goodbye.
Exam Trap — Verbs that Change Meaning
Certain verbs can take both forms but show radical differences in underlying meaning. Pay close attention to contextual clues.
| Verb | Followed By Gerund (Meaning) | Followed By Infinitive (Meaning) |
|---|---|---|
| STOP | Quit/abandon the activity entirely (e.g., 'He stopped smoking.') | Pause or stop an action in order to do something else (e.g., 'He stopped to smoke.') |
| REMEMBER | Recall a past memory/action already performed (e.g., 'I remember locking the door.') | Keep a future duty/obligation in mind (e.g., 'Remember to lock the door.') |
| FORGET | Forget a past action or event that occurred (e.g., 'I will never forget meeting her.') | Fail to perform a required future duty (e.g., 'I forgot to call her.') |
| TRY | Experiment with a new method to see results (e.g., 'Try eating this food.') | Make an active physical effort to complete a task (e.g., 'I tried to open the door.') |
| REGRET | Feel sorry about a past action already completed (e.g., 'I regret telling him.') | Feel sorry before delivering bad news or statements (e.g., 'I regret to tell you that...') |
Common Mistakes and Fixes
He decided going to the market.
He decided to go to the market.
I practice to speak English daily.
I practice speaking English daily.
They suggested to take a taxi.
They suggested taking a taxi.
She was shocked at to hear the tragic news.
She was shocked at hearing the tragic news.
I look forward to meet you at the terminal.
I look forward to meeting you at the terminal.
Easy Level Practice
Easy Level
1
I want ......(go) home. (put the correct form of the verb 'go' to complete the sentence)
Correct! The main verb 'want' requires an infinitive complement, which is structured as 'to + V1'.
Correct: to go. The main verb 'want' requires an infinitive complement, which is structured as 'to + V1'.
2
She enjoys ..........(read / to read / reads) books. (choose the appropriate form of the verb)
Correct! The verb 'enjoy' must always be followed by a gerund (V1 + ing) acting as its object.
Correct: reading. The verb 'enjoy' must always be followed by a gerund (V1 + ing) acting as its object.
3
He decided to going abroad for higher studies. (rewrite the sentence correcting the mistakes)
Correct! The verb 'decide' takes an infinitive phrase 'to go', not a combination of 'to' plus a gerund.
Correct: He decided to go abroad for higher studies.. The verb 'decide' takes an infinitive phrase 'to go', not a combination of 'to' plus a gerund.
4
They finished ......(do) their homework. (put the correct form of the verb 'do' to complete the sentence)
Correct! The aspectual verb 'finish' indicates completion of an action and directly requires a gerund form.
Correct: doing. The aspectual verb 'finish' indicates completion of an action and directly requires a gerund form.
5
We hope ..........(winning / to win / win) the cricket match. (choose the appropriate form of the verb)
Correct! The verb 'hope' implies an intention targeted at a future outcome, requiring an infinitive construction.
Correct: to win. The verb 'hope' implies an intention targeted at a future outcome, requiring an infinitive construction.
6
I avoid to eat junk food to stay healthy. (rewrite the sentence correcting the mistakes)
Correct! The structural rule for the verb 'avoid' dictates that it must take a gerund object ('eating') rather than an infinitive.
Correct: I avoid eating junk food to stay healthy.. The structural rule for the verb 'avoid' dictates that it must take a gerund object ('eating') rather than an infinitive.
7
She promised ......(help) me with my project. (put the correct form of the verb 'help' to complete the sentence)
Correct! 'Promise' is a verb showing an intention or future commitment, meaning it takes 'to help'.
Correct: to help. 'Promise' is a verb showing an intention or future commitment, meaning it takes 'to help'.
8
He keeps ..........(talk / talking / to talk) all day during the class. (choose the appropriate form of the verb)
Correct! The continuous aspect modifier 'keep' requires a gerund to signify an ongoing action.
Correct: talking. The continuous aspect modifier 'keep' requires a gerund to signify an ongoing action.
9
I plan buying a new car next month. (rewrite the sentence correcting the mistakes)
Correct! 'Plan' represents an intentional future goal, which demands an infinitive clause ('to buy').
Correct: I plan to buy a new car next month.. 'Plan' represents an intentional future goal, which demands an infinitive clause ('to buy').
10
They suggested ......(go) out for a walk early in the morning. (put the correct form of the verb 'go' to complete the sentence)
Correct! Suggestions using the verb 'suggest' are paired structurally with gerund complements.
Correct: going. Suggestions using the verb 'suggest' are paired structurally with gerund complements.
Medium Level Practice
Medium Level
1
She is interested in ......(learn) French literature. (put the correct form of the verb 'learn' to complete the sentence)
Correct! The blank follows the preposition 'in', which mandates a gerund form according to standard structural rules.
Correct: learning. The blank follows the preposition 'in', which mandates a gerund form according to standard structural rules.
2
He is afraid of ..........(fly / flying / to fly) in small airplanes. (choose the appropriate form of the verb)
Correct! The preposition 'of' dictates that any subsequent verb must take the gerund form 'flying'.
Correct: flying. The preposition 'of' dictates that any subsequent verb must take the gerund form 'flying'.
3
I look forward to see you at the graduation ceremony. (rewrite the sentence correcting the mistakes)
Correct! In the phrasal framework 'look forward to', the word 'to' acts as a standard preposition, requiring the gerund 'seeing'.
Correct: I look forward to seeing you at the graduation ceremony.. In the phrasal framework 'look forward to', the word 'to' acts as a standard preposition, requiring the gerund 'seeing'.
4
It is very important ......(study) hard before the final board exams. (put the correct form of the verb 'study' to complete the sentence)
Correct! An adjective phrase like 'important' requires an infinitive ('to study') to complete its conceptual meaning.
Correct: to study. An adjective phrase like 'important' requires an infinitive ('to study') to complete its conceptual meaning.
5
He is too young ..........(driving / drive / to drive) a heavy motor car. (choose the appropriate form of the verb)
Correct! The qualifying construction pattern 'too + adjective' requires a subsequent infinitive ('to drive') to express outcome limits.
Correct: to drive. The qualifying construction pattern 'too + adjective' requires a subsequent infinitive ('to drive') to express outcome limits.
6
She is tall enough reach the upper shelf easily. (rewrite the sentence correcting the mistakes)
Correct! The modifier framework 'adjective + enough' must connect to its target action through an infinitive marker ('to reach').
Correct: She is tall enough to reach the upper shelf easily.. The modifier framework 'adjective + enough' must connect to its target action through an infinitive marker ('to reach').
7
I really don't know what ......(do) in this difficult situation. (put the correct form of the verb 'do' to complete the sentence)
Correct! Wh-question words (except why) take an infinitive clause when presenting an unresolved action selection.
Correct: to do. Wh-question words (except why) take an infinitive clause when presenting an unresolved action selection.
8
After ..........(finish / to finish / finishing) my clinical work, I left college. (choose the appropriate form of the verb)
Correct! The temporal term 'After' acts as a structural preposition here, requiring the gerund form 'finishing'.
Correct: finishing. The temporal term 'After' acts as a structural preposition here, requiring the gerund form 'finishing'.
9
He stopped to smoke last year because it was harming his lungs. (rewrite the sentence correcting the mistakes)
Correct! To convey the complete permanent cessation of a habit, you must apply 'stop + gerund' ('stopped smoking').
Correct: He stopped smoking last year because it was harming his lungs.. To convey the complete permanent cessation of a habit, you must apply 'stop + gerund' ('stopped smoking').
10
Before ......(go) out to play, please turn off the laboratory lights. (put the correct form of the verb 'go' to complete the sentence)
Correct! The preposition 'Before' means the following verb component must take its gerund format ('going').
Correct: going. The preposition 'Before' means the following verb component must take its gerund format ('going').
Hard Level Practice
Hard Level
1
I distinctly remember ......(lock) the door, but I should double-check it. (put the correct form of the verb 'lock' to complete the sentence)
Correct! This references a past memory of an action already performed, which demands the gerund form 'locking'.
Correct: locking. This references a past memory of an action already performed, which demands the gerund form 'locking'.
2
Please remember ..........(to lock / locking / lock) the front door before you leave. (choose the appropriate form of the verb)
Correct! This denotes a future obligation or imperative duty that must be remembered, requiring an infinitive ('to lock').
Correct: to lock. This denotes a future obligation or imperative duty that must be remembered, requiring an infinitive ('to lock').
3
She is used to work late nights at the office. (rewrite the sentence correcting the mistakes)
Correct! When 'be used to' denotes familiarity or habituation, 'to' is a preposition, requiring the gerund 'working'.
Correct: She is used to working late nights at the office.. When 'be used to' denotes familiarity or habituation, 'to' is a preposition, requiring the gerund 'working'.
4
I look forward ......(see) you at the cultural program next week. (put the correct form of the verb 'see' to complete the sentence)
Correct! The full idiom is 'look forward to' followed by a gerund, so the blank must contain both 'to' and the gerund 'seeing'.
Correct: to seeing. The full idiom is 'look forward to' followed by a gerund, so the blank must contain both 'to' and the gerund 'seeing'.
5
He hates ..........(being ignored / ignoring / to ignore) by his close friends. (choose the appropriate form of the verb)
Correct! The sentence context demands a passive interpretation ('by his close friends'), calling for the passive gerund 'being ignored'.
Correct: being ignored. The sentence context demands a passive interpretation ('by his close friends'), calling for the passive gerund 'being ignored'.
6
I regret to tell him the secret because he told everyone else. (rewrite the sentence correcting the mistakes)
Correct! Since the secret was already told in the past, the pained memory requires a gerund ('regret telling'), not an infinitive.
Correct: I regret telling him the secret because he told everyone else.. Since the secret was already told in the past, the pained memory requires a gerund ('regret telling'), not an infinitive.
7
We regret ......(inform) you that your visa application has been rejected. (put the correct form of the verb 'inform' to complete the sentence)
Correct! When giving bad news or statements formally, 'regret' utilizes an infinitive structure ('regret to inform').
Correct: to inform. When giving bad news or statements formally, 'regret' utilizes an infinitive structure ('regret to inform').
8
This historical monument is well worth ..........(to visit / visiting / visit) during the winter vacation. (choose the appropriate form of the verb)
Correct! The idiomatic descriptive adjective expression 'worth' is universally followed by a gerund object.
Correct: visiting. The idiomatic descriptive adjective expression 'worth' is universally followed by a gerund object.
9
The little child could not help to laugh at the funny clown. (rewrite the sentence correcting the mistakes)
Correct! The idiomatic phrase 'cannot help' means an inability to avoid something and strictly takes a gerund object ('laughing').
Correct: The little child could not help laughing at the funny clown.. The idiomatic phrase 'cannot help' means an inability to avoid something and strictly takes a gerund object ('laughing').
10
She avoids ......(see) by the principal while skipping the class. (put the correct form of the verb 'see' in its passive voice to complete the sentence)
Correct! 'Avoid' requires a gerund. Because the subject receives the action ('by the principal'), we use the passive gerund form 'being seen'.
Correct: being seen. 'Avoid' requires a gerund. Because the subject receives the action ('by the principal'), we use the passive gerund form 'being seen'.