Gerund vs. Infinitive with Common Verbs: correct answers
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One of the trickiest aspects of English grammar is knowing whether to use a gerund (verb + -ing) or an infinitive (to + verb) after certain verbs. Many common verbs in English are followed by only one of these forms, and using the wrong one can sound unnatural or even change the meaning of your sentence.
Some verbs are always followed by a gerund. For example: "I enjoy reading books," "She avoids eating fast food," and "They finished working on the project." Other verbs require an infinitive: "I want to learn Spanish," "He decided to leave early," and "We hope to visit Paris someday."
Learning which verbs take gerunds and which take infinitives is largely a matter of memorization and practice. Common verbs that take gerunds include: enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, suggest, and consider. Common verbs that take infinitives include: want, need, decide, hope, plan, and agree. With regular practice, choosing the correct form will become second nature!
Try the quiz to check your knowledge!
Correct answers
Question 1
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
After a long day at work, I like to unwind. I really enjoy ___ podcasts while cooking dinner.
The correct answer is listening.
The verb pattern is enjoy + gerund (-ing form). We always use the -ing form after "enjoy."
Question 2
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
My friend texted me about weekend plans. She decided ___ a new café downtown.
The correct answer is to try.
The verb pattern is decide + to-infinitive (to + base verb). We always use "to + verb" after "decide."
Question 3
The correct answer is to join.
Decide + to-infinitive: The verb "decide" is always followed by the infinitive (to + base verb). Say: "I decided to join," not "I decided joining."
Question 4
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
I've been studying hard for my exam next week. I hope ___ a good grade! 🤞
The correct answer is to get.
The verb pattern is hope + to-infinitive (to + base verb). We always use "to + verb" after "hope."
Question 5
The correct answers are taking and driving.
Suggest + gerund: Say "suggest taking," not "suggest to take." Avoid + gerund: Say "avoid driving," not "avoid to drive." Both verbs require the -ing form!
Question 6
The correct answer is to go.
Error: decide + gerund → Correct: decide + to-infinitive. The verb "decide" must be followed by the infinitive form. Always say "decided to go," never "decided going."
Question 7
The correct answers are I enjoy relaxing on Sunday mornings and I want to visit the new café downtown.
The pattern is enjoy + gerund and want + to-infinitive. Errors like "enjoy to watch" or "want relaxing" mix up these patterns.
Question 8
The correct answers are We decided to study together tonight and She suggested meeting at the library.
The pattern is decide + to-infinitive and suggest + gerund. Error: decided studying → Correct: decide + to-infinitive. Error: suggested to meet → Correct: suggest + gerund.
Question 9
The correct answers are I decided going home early because I was tired and She hopes seeing you at the party tomorrow.
Error: decided going → Correct: decide + to-infinitive (decided to go). Error: hopes seeing → Correct: hope + to-infinitive (hopes to see). The other sentences correctly use agree + to-infinitive and keep + gerund.
Question 10
The correct answers are I try to avoid eating junk food late at night and I finally finished writing my workout plan!.
The pattern is avoid + gerund and finish + gerund. Error: avoid to drink → Correct: avoid + gerund (avoid drinking). Error: finished to clean → Correct: finish + gerund (finished cleaning).
Question 11
Choose the correct word for each gap to complete the sentences.
🏋️ It's Monday morning and you're planning your week!
I enjoy exercising after work. My friend wants to join me at the gym tonight.
The correct answer for the first blank is exercising.
The pattern is enjoy + gerund (-ing form). We say "enjoy exercising," not "enjoy to exercise."
The correct answer for the second blank is to join.
The pattern is want + to-infinitive. We say "wants to join," not "wants joining."
Question 12
Choose the correct word for each gap to complete the sentences.
📱 You're texting your study buddy about tomorrow's exam.
I decided to study all evening. Can you suggest meeting at the library?
The correct answer for the first blank is to study.
The pattern is decide + to-infinitive. We say "decided to study," not "decided studying."
The correct answer for the second blank is meeting.
The pattern is suggest + gerund (-ing form). We say "suggest meeting," not "suggest to meet."
Question 13
Choose the correct word for each gap to complete the sentences.
✈️ You're chatting with a colleague about your vacation plans.
I hope to visit Spain this summer. I always avoid traveling during peak season—too crowded!
The correct answer for the first blank is to visit.
The pattern is hope + to-infinitive. We say "hope to visit," not "hope visiting."
The correct answer for the second blank is traveling.
The pattern is avoid + gerund (-ing form). We say "avoid traveling," not "avoid to travel."