Gerunds and Infinitives

Verbs carry a lot of information. They report action (run, write), condition (bloom, sit), or state of being (be, seem). Verbs in English differ as to whether they can be followed by a gerund, an infinitive or either.

An Infinitive is a verb phrase beginning with the word to. For example: to run, to sit, to stand, etc.

Some verbs can only be taken as an Infinitive:

appear              fail                   need                seem   

ask                   intend              plan                 threaten

choose             learn                prepare            want

claim                manage            promise            wish    

decide             mean                refuse              would like

expect

A Gerund is a verb that ends in ing. For example: admitting, forgiving, regretting, etc.

Some verbs only take a Gerund:

admit               forgive             regret

avoid               imagine            resist

consider           mention           risk

defend             mind                suggest

deny                practice            support

discuss            quit                   tolerate

enjoy               recommend     understand

finish

Some verbs can be both.

Infinitives and Gerunds can sometimes change the meaning of the verb. Example: She stopped eating. She stopped to eat.

Others have no effect. Example: We began climbing. We began to climb.

begin               like                 start    

continue          love                 stop

forget              prefer             try

hate                 remember

Feel free to come visit us in the Fullerton College Writing Center with your next writing assignment. We are open Monday through Friday. Our hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please call ahead and make your appointment today! The Fullerton College Writing Center phone number is (714) 992-7153.