Gerunds & Infinitives

Reference

Common mistakes

1. I regret to say that yesterday. → I regret saying that yesterday.
   past regret → regret + -ing
2. She forgot locking the door. → She forgot to lock the door.
   failed task → forget + to
3. I would like having a coffee. → I would like to have a coffee.
   would like always + to infinitive
4. Try to adding pepper — it helps. → Try adding pepper — it helps.
   experiment → try + -ing

Gerunds & Infinitives — Exercises

-ing or to + verb?

Circle the correct answer.

1. I enjoy _____ in the sea. (swimming / to swim / swim)
2. She decided _____ a new laptop. (to buy / buying / buy)
3. I remember _____ this song when I was a child. (hearing / to hear / hear)
4. Remember _____ the lights when you leave. (to turn off / turning off / turn off)
5. He stopped _____ a photo of the sunset. (to take / taking / take)
6. If the app doesn't work, try _____ your phone. (restarting / to restart / restart)
7. I'd like _____ to the concert with you. (to go / going / go)
8. I regret _____ him my secret. (telling / to tell / tell)

Complete with -ing or to + verb

Write the verb in the correct form.

1. I can't afford   (buy) a new phone.
2. Would you mind   (open) the window?
3. I forgot   (bring) my umbrella.
4. She avoided   (look) at him.
5. He went on   (talk) for an hour.
6. I tried   (open) the jar, but it was too tight.

Gerunds & Infinitives — Answer Key

-ing or to + verb?

1. swimming — enjoy + -ing.
2. to buy — decide + to + verb.
3. hearing — remember + -ing = a memory of the past → hearing.
4. to turn off — remember + to = don't forget a future task → to turn off.
5. to take — stop + to = stop in order to do something → to take.
6. restarting — try + -ing = an experiment to see if it works → restarting.
7. to go — would like + to + verb.
8. telling — regret + -ing = sorry about a past action → telling.

Complete with -ing or to + verb

1. to buy
2. opening
3. to bring
4. looking
5. talking
6. to open