B1- GERUND PHRASES AND INFINITIVES
Explicación
Tower Languages
Online Learning is Today
Created by Julio Ángel R. — Bilingual Educator
Gerund Phrases and Infinitives
Grammar Guide
In English, we often use Gerunds (verb + -ing) and Infinitives (to + base verb). These forms are very common after certain verbs and structures.
👉 They help us talk about
✔ Activities
✔ Plans
✔ Preferences
✔ Obligations
✔ Intentions
📌 Two main forms
👉 Gerund → verb + -ing
playing / reading / studying
👉 Infinitive → to + base verb
to play / to read / to study
🔹 Gerund — verb + -ing
A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that functions like a noun. A gerund phrase includes extra information.
Simple Gerunds
playing
reading
studying
Gerund Phrases
playing soccer
reading books
studying English every day
✅ Common verbs followed by -ing
I enjoy reading books.
She likes drawing.
They finished doing their homework.
🔹 Infinitive — to + base verb
An infinitive is formed with to + base verb. An infinitive phrase includes extra information.
Simple Infinitives
to play
to eat
to study
Infinitive Phrases
to play soccer
to eat healthy food
to study tonight
✅ Common verbs followed by infinitive
I want to learn English.
She needs to study.
🔹 Gerund or Infinitive — same meaning
✅ Common verbs that accept both forms
With Gerund (-ing)
I like playing soccer.
With Infinitive (to)
I like to play soccer.
🟢 Gerund Phrase → Subject of the sentence
Gerund phrases can act as the subject of a sentence.
Swimming is fun.
Reading books is important.
🔹 Infinitive → explains WHY we do something
Infinitives often explain the reason or purpose behind an action.
I study to pass the test.
She exercises to stay healthy.
🔹 It + be + adjective + to + verb
It + be + adjective + to + verb
It is important to study.
It is easy to learn English.
➕ Adding FOR — to specify who
It + be + adjective + for + person + to + verb
It's difficult for her to talk about her feelings.
It's customary for North Americans to make eye contact.
🔹 not + infinitive / not + gerund
not + infinitive
It's rude not to thank people.
not + gerund
Not thanking people is considered rude.
🔹 happy / glad / sad / pleased — must say WHO feels
⚠️ These adjectives cannot use "It + adjective"
❌ It is happy to see your children grow.
✅ Most parents are happy to see their children grow.
✅ People are delighted to receive compliments.
You must specify who feels the emotion.
| Form | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Gerund (-ing) | After verbs like enjoy, finish, avoid, practice |
| Infinitive (to + verb) | After verbs like want, need, decide, hope |
| Both forms | After like, love, hate, prefer, start, begin |
| Gerund as subject | Swimming is fun. / Reading is important. |
| Infinitive of purpose | I study to pass. / She runs to stay healthy. |
| It + adj + to | General opinion about something |
| It + adj + for + person + to | Opinion about a specific person |
🚨 Common Mistakes to Avoid
🟩 Quick Summary
❌ I enjoy to read.
✅ I enjoy reading.
❌ I want learning.
✅ I want to learn.
Gerunds (-ing) after enjoy, finish, avoid
Infinitives (to + verb) after want, need, decide
Both after like, love, start, begin
Gerunds = subjects of sentences
Infinitives = intention, purpose, evaluation
It + adj + for + person to specify who
🧠 Quick Tip — How to Remember
Ask yourself: What verb comes before?
enjoy / finish / avoid → always use -ing
want / need / decide → always use to + verb
like / love / hate / start → use either form
Ejercicio 1
Tower Languages
Online Learning is Today
Created by Julio Ángel R. — Bilingual Educator
Communication Skills Quiz
— / 10
Instrucción: Complete each gap with the correct form of the verb — Gerund (-ing) or Infinitive (to + verb).
1
_____ jokes during a serious meeting is usually considered inappropriate.
2
It's helpful _____ a thank-you note after a job interview.
3
_____ eye contact is essential for showing interest in a conversation.
4
It's often considered polite _____ for the bill on a first date.
5
_____ personal questions to someone you just met can be awkward.
6
It is essential for a good leader _____ to their team's suggestions.
7
_____ your phone while someone is talking to you is quite rude.
8
It's very common _____ about the weather to break the ice.
9
_____ professional clothes is mandatory for this corporate event.
10
It's a bad idea _____ a secret that someone shared with you in private.
Check Answers ✓
Ejercicio 2
Tower Languages
Online Learning is Today
Created by Julio Ángel R. — Bilingual Educator
Gerunds vs Infinitives Quiz
— / 12
Instrucción: Choose the correct option — Gerund (-ing) or Infinitive (to + verb) — to complete each sentence.
GERUND — verb + -ing (enjoy, avoid, finish…)
INFINITIVE — to + verb (want, decide, hope…)
1
She enjoys _____ before bed.
2
I decided _____ English this year.
3
They avoid _____ junk food.
4
He hopes _____ next summer.
5
We finished _____ the classroom.
6
She wants _____ how to cook.
7
They suggested _____ a movie.
8
I need _____ some milk.
9
He enjoys _____ soccer.
10
We plan _____ our grandparents.
11
She keeps _____ her keys.
12
They decided _____ at home.
Check Answers ✓