Verbs and expressions
We considered trying a new restaurant but finally decided to go to our usual one.
Some verbs can only be followed by a gerund and some verbs can only be followed by an infinitive:
We avoided using the motorways. 
We avoided to use the motorways. 
I want to go home early. I want going home early.
There are some guidelines that might help us decide whether to use a gerund or infinitive. For example:
1. Gerunds often perform exactly the same function as a noun:
This job involves dealing with customers.
This job involves contact with customers.
We delayed launching the product until January.
We delayed the launch until January.
2. We often use infinitives for actions that happen after the action of the main verb:
He decided to work at the weekend. [The decision was before the work.]
We expect to have the results next week. [The expectation is before obtaining the results.]
However, there are no definitive 'rules' without exceptions so we have to learn which to use.
Here are some examples:
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| Verbs followed by an infinitive |
| Verbs followed by a gerund |
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agree
appear
arrange
ask
attempt
choose
claim
decide
deserve
fail
happen
hesitate
hope
learn
manage
mean
offer
plan
prepare
pretend
promise
seem
tend
threaten
want
would like
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She agreed to talk to him.
He appears to be ill.
They arranged to meet.
She asked to leave.
He attempted to finish it.
They chose not to wait.
He claimed to be a doctor.
They decided not to wait.
He deserves to succeed.
He failed to recognise her.
She happened to notice it.
I hesitated to tell her.
Do you hope to work there?
Is he learning to drive?
I managed not to laugh.
I meant to call her. They offered to help.
I plan to talk for one hour.
We're preparing to negotiate. He pretended not to hear.
She promised not to be late. He seemed to understand. I tend to agree. He's threatening to leave. Do you want to go home?
He'd like to change jobs. |
admit
advise
allow
anticipate
avoid
consider
delay
deny
discuss
encourage
finish
imagine
involve
keep
mention
mind
miss
permit
recall/recollect
recommend
resist
require
risk
suggest
urge |
He admitted stealing a cake.
I advise returning it.
They allow parking here.
I anticipate finishing early.
We avoided discussing it.
I'm considering not going.
We delayed telling them.
They denied breaking it.
We discussed replacing her.
They encourage cycling to work.
We finished eating at nine.
Can you imagine flying?
The job involves travelling.
I keep forgetting.
He mentioned meeting her.
Do you mind waiting?
I miss working in a team.
She doesn't permit swearing.
I recall seeing him in Paris.
I recommend eating there.
Did you resist eating it?
The problem requires investigating.
She risks losing her job.
He suggested renting a car. They urged replacing him.
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Gerunds with 'to go'
We use the verb 'to go' + gerund to talk about some sports and leisure activities. For example:
They go swimming on Fridays.
We went sightseeing in the morning.
We never go camping in the winter.
We're going shopping this afternoon.
Shall we go skiing next year?
Expressions followed by gerunds or infinitives
He was proud to accept the award.
There are lots of expressions which use the infinitive after adjectives and nouns.
After adjectives
Subject + 'to be' + adjective + infinitive
pleased to be here today.
These are often about feelings. Here are some examples:
To be... | Adjective + infinitive |
amazed
anxious
ashamed
careful
certain
compulsory
delighted
determined
eager
easy
eligible
happy
hesitant
likely
lucky
possible
proud
ready
reluctant
shocked
surprised |
He was amazed to find that she remembered him.
I don't want to wait any longer - I'm anxious to begin.
He was ashamed to admit the truth.
He was careful not to mention the problem.
She's certain to succeed.
It's compulsory to wear protective clothing in the plant.
I'm delighted to inform you that we are offering you the job.
I'm determined to finish this by the end of the day.
He's eager to start his English course.
It isn't easy to negotiate with people from different cultures.
Are you eligible to vote?
We're happy to accept your offer.
She was hesitant to reply.
We aren't likely to succeed.
I'm so lucky to have this job.
It isn't possible to park here.
I'm very proud to announce the launch of our new vehicle.
Are you ready to leave?
I'm reluctant to employ someone with so little experience.
He was shocked to discover the truth.
They were surprised to hear the news.
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Note that the same rule applies to comparative adjectives. For example:
This computer is easier to use than my old one.
It's better to go out to lunch than eat at your desk.
After nouns
Expression with a noun + infinitive
They were disappointed with the decision to close the factory.
Here are some examples:
| Noun + infinitive |
attempt
chance
decision
motivation
opportunity
permission
plan
refusal
tendency
way |
Their attempt to expand into North America was unsuccessful.
I didn't get a chance to speak to him.
We were unhappy with the decision to delay production.
Motivation to succeed is essential for this job.
We have an opportunity to make a lot of money.
Can I have your permission to deal with this myself?
I have a plan to reorganise the teams.
His refusal to deal with this immediately is causing problems.
He has a tendency to lose concentration.
We have to find a way to solve this. |
Expressions with prepositions are followed by gerunds.
She's worried about travelling alone.
I have fond memories of travelling in India.
Here are some more examples:
| 'to be' + adjective/noun + preposition + gerund |
Adjectives accustomed to addicted to afraid of capable of committed to excited about famous for guilty of proud of responsible for worried about
Nouns advantage of credit for dedication to delay in fear of interest in knowledge of love of memory of process of reason for reputation for story about
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He's accustomed to working with Asian people. She's addicted to shopping online. He's afraid of failing. We're capable of dealing with the situation without help. They're committed to finding a solution. Are you excited about going to Australia? He's famous for designing lots of the buildings in this city. He's guilty of lying to the government. He's proud of achieving these results. Who is responsible for making this mess? I'm not worried about losing the contract.
My office has the advantage of being on the ground floor. He took the credit for introducing the new measures. I admire his dedication to modernising the company. I don't want any delay in investigating this problem. He has a fear of flying. I have no interest in competing with him. His knowledge of sailing is impressive. We share a love of travelling. I have no memory of getting home last night. We're in the process of updating the files. I don't agree with your reason for delaying. They have a reputation for delivering on time. I don't believe his story about forgetting the date.
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Note that 'to' in these expressions is a preposition. It is not part of an infinitive and that is why we see 'to shopping' etc.
They're committed to finding a solution. They're committed to find a solution.
'Before' and 'after'
Whether we are talking about the past, present or future, 'before' and 'after' can be followed by the gerund as an alternative to a subject and verb:
I always check the electrics before giving a presentation. ['I give']
After speaking to him yesterday, I decided to cancel the order. ['I spoke']
Before leaving this afternoon, could you call Tom for me? ['you leave']
Suggest
We never use the infinitive with 'suggest' - with or without an object:
I suggest to have a presentation. I suggest you to have a presentation.
If it is necessary to use an object in order to specify 'who' the suggestion was made to, we use 'to'.
These are the correct ways to use this verb:
+ noun or gerund | + object + bare infinitive |
I suggest a presentation. I suggest having a presentation. I suggested a presentation (to Thomas/him). |
I suggest (that) we have a presentation.
I suggest (that) you go to the presentation.
I suggested (to Thomas/him that) we have a presentation.
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