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Gerund vs Infinitive: correct answers

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The core question: -ing or to?

Some verbs are followed by a gerund (verb + -ing), some by an infinitive (to + verb), and some accept both — sometimes with a change in meaning. There is no single grammar rule that predicts which form a verb takes; it depends on the main verb itself. That's the hard truth, and it's why this topic frustrates learners. But there are patterns worth knowing, and a short list of tricky verbs worth memorising.

Gerund = the -ing form used as a noun (swimming, reading, complaining). Infinitive = to + base verb (to swim, to read, to complain).

Verbs that take only one form

Some common verbs always want a gerund after them: enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, suggest, keep, practise, consider, deny, risk.

✅ She enjoys reading before bed. ❌ She enjoys to read before bed.

Other verbs always want an infinitive: want, need, decide, plan, hope, promise, agree, refuse, learn, seem, expect, afford, manage, offer.

✅ They decided to leave early. ❌ They decided leaving early.

A useful (imperfect) shortcut: verbs that describe reactions or ongoing feelings often take the gerund (enjoy, dislike, can't stand), while verbs that point forward to a future action or intention often take the infinitive (plan, hope, promise).

Verbs that take both — with a meaning shift

This is where B1–B2 learners lose marks. A handful of verbs change meaning depending on which form follows them.

Remember / Forget

  • remember + gerund = you recall a past event: I remember locking the door. (I have a memory of doing it.)
  • remember + infinitive = you don't forget a task: I remembered to lock the door. (I didn't forget; I did it.)

✅ I'll never forget meeting her for the first time. (a past memory) ❌ I'll never forget to meet her for the first time. (This implies a future task, which doesn't make sense here.)

Stop

  • stop + gerund = quit the activity: He stopped smoking. (He no longer smokes.)
  • stop + infinitive = pause in order to do something: He stopped to smoke. (He paused what he was doing so he could have a cigarette.)

Try

  • try + gerund = experiment with a method: Try adding more salt.
  • try + infinitive = make an effort: I tried to open the window, but it was stuck.

After prepositions — always the gerund

Any verb that comes right after a preposition (about, of, in, at, for, without, before, after…) must be in the -ing form. No exceptions.

✅ She left without saying goodbye. ❌ She left without to say goodbye.

This rule also applies to adjective + preposition combinations: interested in learning, good at cooking, tired of waiting.

The mistake that costs the most points

The single most common error at this level is using an infinitive after enjoy, suggest, or avoid — probably because the learner's first language uses an infinitive there, or because want to is learned early and its pattern feels "normal."

❌ I really enjoy to travel. ✅ I really enjoy travelling.

❌ She suggested to go to the beach. ✅ She suggested going to the beach.

If you can only memorise one thing from this page, make it this short list: enjoy, avoid, finish, suggest, mind, keep, practise → always -ing. Tattoo it on your brain. Everything else you can often reason through or look up, but these seven trip up more learners than all the others combined.

HardA2 | Elementary | Pre-intermediateA2InfinitiveGerund

Correct answers

Question 1

Select correct answer.

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.

Question 2

Select correct answer.
During their vacation, Lisa and Harry saw a magician _________________________ live on stage. Though they didn't hear him _________________________ anything, he still managed to surprise the audience with his tricks.

In both sentences, we use sensing verbs + object + infinitive to express that people have experienced the entirety of an action.

Question 3

Select correct answer.

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.

Question 4

Select correct answer.

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.

Question 5

Choose correct answers to fill in the blanks.
When the fire broke out in the building, Michael was seen _____ (jump) from the apartment's window. He had to let ____ (go) of what he loved the most: his game consoles as they were too heavy to carry.
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

Question 6

The doctor advised the football player with a broken ankle _________________________ for 2 months, but he insisted on _________________________ at the World Cup tournament.

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.

Question 7

Select correct answer.
Hannah dreams of _________________________ a filmmaker in the future, but her parents persuaded her _________________________ as a manager at their family's company instead.

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.

Question 8

Select correct answer.
Steve challenged Fiona _________________________ 2 miles with him every morning. Yesterday, she confessed to _________________________ about the challenge and today Steve makes her run 4 miles.

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.

Question 9

Select correct answer.

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.

Question 10

Select correct answer.

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.

Question 11

Select correct answer.
Amy attempted _________________________ spaghetti with meatballs last night but it was too hard to eat. She practiced _________________________ it again tonight and the meatballs were on fire!

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.

Question 12

Select correct answer.
The policeman stopped _________________________ when he caught the criminal. After taking the criminal back to his car, he stopped _________________________ a phone call to the station.

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.

Question 13

Select correct answer.
The Hammonds heard the thief opening their back door when they were sleeping. Then, from their window, they watched the thief _________________________ all the food in their fridge and left.

After a sensing verb such as "watch", we use an infinitive to mean that you have witnessed the entirety of an action.

Question 14

Select correct answer.

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.

Question 15

Choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks.
Paige regrets _________________________ to Oxford University last year. The university said that they regretted _________________________ her that she hadn't been accepted.

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.

Question 16

Select correct answer.
Lucas tried _________________________ baseball for the first time last week. He was trying _________________________ his girlfriend, but he couldn't even hit the ball.

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.

Question 17

Choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks.
The car needs _________________________, but my husband doesn't seem to bother. He needs _________________________ it to the car wash right away or I'll have a word with him!

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.

Question 18

Select correct answer.
Bond is capable of _________________________ the most dangerous missions. He is always prepared _________________________ any criminals and protect his country.

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.

Question 19

Select correct answer.
Catherine was busy _________________________ on the phone when she opened the door. She was shocked _________________________ her ex-boyfriend standing in the hall with a ring in his hand.

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.

Question 20

Choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks.
Yoko was delighted _________________________ that the painting she spent 1 million dollars on is worth _________________________ as it is one of the rarest artifacts in the world.

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.

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