There are some verbs in English that need different type of objects: either gerunds or infinitives. In order not to make a mistake students usually learn these verbs by heart. Besides, there are also such verbs that may be followed by both gerunds and infinitives, and the choice of the object type directly influences the meaning of a sentence.
Of course there are not so many verbs such as “forget” in English, but the reason for the choice of the infinitive or the gerund object each time will be different and will strongly influence the meaning of a sentence. And it’s a real challenge for advanced students.
Speaking about the challenge, did you forget... ehm... nervermind...
Correct Answers
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The prince was made to enter the castle without his weapons. He had to make do with a pan he found in the castle's kitchen to fight the dragon and save the princess.
The prince was made to enter the castle without his weapons. He had to make do with a pan he found in the castle's kitchen to fight the dragon and save the princess.
We use to-infinitive after the passive form of made to express the passive meaning.
The prince was made to enter the castle without his weapons. He had to make do with a pan he found in the castle's kitchen to fight the dragon and save the princess.
In the second sentence, we use infinitive without to after the verb make to create the phrase make do, which means managing to live without things that you would like to have.
In both sentences, we use sensing verbs + object + infinitive to express that people have experienced the entirety of an action.
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Emma forgot meeting Ryan when she was a child. Now, she forgets to get his number when they meet each other again.
Emma forgot meeting Ryan when she was a child. Now, she forgets to get his number when they meet each other again.
We use gerund after forget when you forget something that you should have done in the past. Emma forgot meeting Ryan when she was a child. Now, she forgets to get his number when they meet each other again. We use infinitive with to after forget when you forget something you need to do.
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Sam agrees to work for that start-up company as it promises to pay him high salary.
Sam agrees to work for that start-up company as it promises to pay him high salary.
Agree is followed by a to-infinitive in a sentence. Sam agrees to work for that start-up company as it promises to pay him high salary. Promise is followed by a to-infinitive in a sentence.
- In the first sentence, after the passive form of see, we use to-infinitive to express the passive meaning. In the second sentence, the phrase let go is used with the bare infinitive of go, which means to abandon or give up on something.
- In the first sentence, after the passive form of see, we use to-infinitive to express the passive meaning. In the second sentence, the phrase let go is used with the bare infinitive of go, which means to abandon or give up on something.
- In the first sentence, the gerund jumping after the passive form of see indicated that Michael was seen as he was jumping from the window. In the second sentence, the phrase let go is used with the bare infinitive of go, which means to abandon or give up on something.
- After the verb let, we use the bare infinitive form of go to create the phrase let go, which means to abandon or give up on something.
In the first clause, we need to use a to-infinitive after the verb advise and an object. In the second clause, we use a gerund after the phrase insist on. In the second clause, after the verb insist and the particle on, we need to use a gerund.
In the first sentence, after the verb dream and the particle of, a gerund is used. In the second sentence, the verb persuade and the object are followed by a to-infinitive.
In the first sentence, we need to use a to-infinitive after the verb challenge and an object. In the second sentence, the phrase confess to is followed by a gerund.
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Larry swore to tell the truth about not cheating his wife. However, she didn't trust him and considered getting divorced.
Larry swore to tell the truth about not cheating his wife. However, she didn't trust him and considered getting divorced.
The verb swear is followed by a to-infinitive. Larry swore to tell the truth about not cheating his wife. However, she didn't trust him and considered getting divorced. The verb consider is followed by a gerund.
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Tyler was responsible for checking the equipment outside the spaceship. He was relieved to see no aliens on the moon when he got outside.
Tyler was responsible for checking the equipment outside the spaceship. He was relieved to see no aliens on the moon when he got outside.
In the first sentence, we need to use a gerund after the adjective responsible and the particle for (responsible + for + gerund).
Tyler was responsible for checking the equipment outside the spaceship. He was relieved to see no aliens on the moon when he got outside.
In the second sentence, we need to use to-infinitive after the adjective relieved.
In the first clause, we need to use a to-infinitive after the verb attempt. In the second clause, the verb practice is followed by a gerund.
In the first sentence, we use the gerund running after stop to mean stop an action that you are carrying out at the moment. In the second sentence, stop with a to-infinitive means in order to do something.
After a sensing verb such as "watch", we use an infinitive to mean that you have witnessed the entirety of an action.
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Being a nurse means giving people injections, but they never mean to hurt you, so don't be afraid.
Being a nurse means giving people injections, but they never mean to hurt you, so don't be afraid.
A gerund is used after mean indicates an explanation or equivalence of the subject before the verb mean.
Being a nurse means giving people injections, but they never mean to hurt you, so don't be afraid.
A to-infinitive is used after mean to mean having the intention to do something.
We use a gerund after regret to indicate something you shouldn't have done in the past. We use a to-infinitive after regret to express the feeling of being sorry for something you are about to do.
In the first sentence, we use a gerund after try to mean experimenting with something to see if it works. In the second sentence, try followed by a to-infinitive means attempting to do something you want.
We use a to-infinitive after need to express an active meaning that it is necessary for somebody to carry out an action.
A gerund is used after need to express a passive meaning. Specifically in this case, it means that the car needs to be cleaned.
In the first sentence, we use a gerund after the adjective capable and the particle of (capable + of + gerund). In the second sentence, we use a to-infinitive after the adjective prepared.
In the first sentence, we need to use a gerund immediately after the adjective busy. In the second sentence, the to-infinitive form of the verb see is used after the adjective shocked.
After the adjective worth, we need to use a gerund. We need to use the to-infinitive form of the verb hear after the adjective delighted.
Infinitive
Infinitive vs gerund: the #1 verb-pattern confusion. Some verbs take only infinitive (want to go ✅), some only gerund (enjoy going ✅), some both with different meanings (stop to smoke ≠ stop smoking). No logical rule exists — learn by verb.
The infinitive = base verb form used non-finitely. To-infinitive (to go) after certain verbs. Bare infinitive (go) after modals and causatives.
Diagnostic: what's the main verb? Check whether it takes to-infinitive, bare infinitive, or gerund. If unsure, try both and see which sounds natural to native speakers.
Gerund
Gerund vs infinitive: the biggest source of errors for non-native speakers. Some verbs take only gerund (enjoy reading ✅), some only infinitive (want to read ✅), some take both with different meanings (stop reading ≠ stop to read). There's no logical rule — these must be learned by verb.
A gerund is the -ing verb form used as a noun. After prepositions = always gerund. After certain verbs (enjoy, avoid, finish) = always gerund. After to (preposition, not infinitive marker) = gerund (I look forward to seeing you).
Diagnostic: can you replace the -ing word with "it" or "something"? I enjoy it → yes, it's acting as a noun = gerund.
A2 | Elementary | Pre-intermediate
A2 vs B1: A2 handles routine transactions and simple past narration. B1 handles connected discourse, explaining reasons, and understanding main points in clear standard speech. If you can tell what happened but not why it matters, you're still A2.
A2 is the elementary level of the CEFR: past simple, present perfect, first conditional, basic modals, and routine communication about familiar topics.
Diagnostic: can you link ideas with because, although, so that and hold a conversation beyond scripted topics? No → A2. Yes → moving into B1.
Hard
Hard vs Medium: Medium tests one rule with realistic distractors. Hard tests interacting rules, edge cases, or context-dependent answers where multiple options seem correct until you think deeply. If you're scoring 80%+ on Medium, try Hard to find your real gaps.
The Hard tag filters for B2+ challenges with layered difficulty: rule interactions, subtle distractors, and contexts that demand genuine grammatical reasoning.
Diagnostic: if Hard questions feel impossible, drop to Medium and master the individual rules first. Hard assumes you already know each rule — it tests whether you can apply them together.