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| English Corner |
One of the difficulties of the English language is that some verbs are followed by the gerund and others are followed by the infinitive. Other verbs, however, can be followed by both.
Generally speaking, we can use the following rules:
1. Verb + Gerund
• I enjoy playing.
• He denied stealing.
Rules:
Often we use gerund for action that happens before or at the same time as the action of the main verb.
Explanations:
• I enjoy myself 'at the time of' playing.
• He denies having stolen anything 'before'.
2. Verb + Infinitive
• I decided to visit my grandparents.
• I want to go out.
Rules:
Often we use infinitive for actions that follow the action of the main verb.
Explanations:
• Visiting my grandparents was 'an act of' my decision. Visiting them 'comes after' the decision.
• What I want (now) is to go out (after/later).
These rules are helpful but DO NOT always explain all uses of gerunds and infinitives.
Here's a list of verbs that can be followed by a gerund:
1. After the verbs that express likes or dislikes
• like
• love
• enjoy
• dislike
• hate
• don't mind
• can't stand
• can't bear
2. After certain verbs
• admit
• appreciate
• allow
• avoid
• advise
• consider
• deny
• delay
• understand
• finish
• fancy
• go
• involve
• keep (on)
(See the rest of the verbs on the picture.)
3. After prepositions
• interested in
• instead of
• good at
• before
• after
4. After certain expressions
• it's no use
• it's no good
• there's no point in
• I can't help
• I don't mind
• I can't stand/bear
Verbs that followed by an infinitive:
1. After verbs that refer to a future event
• want
• hope
• aim
• intend
• arrange
• attempt
• promise
• be determined
• would like
(See the rest of the verbs on the picture.)
2. After adjectives
• glad
• pleased
• disappointed
Examples:
- I'm glad to know that you passed the exam.
- I'm pleased to meet you.
- I'm disappointed to hear that you flunked TOEFL.
4. After "too" and "enough"
• too difficult
• easy enough
Examples:
- It's too difficult to convince him to be helpful.
- It's easy enough to fool him to get what you want.
Some verbs that can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive:
• start
• stop
• remember
Examples:
- I started smoking when I was young.
- I started to smoke when I left the office.
- I stopped smoking due to health problem.
- I stopped to smoke when we were at the restaurant.

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