Gerunds & Infinitives — Advanced

Reference

Common mistakes

1. My car needs to clean. → My car needs cleaning.
   need + -ing = passive meaning
2. She came to running down the hall. → She came running down the hall.
   come + -ing (manner)
3. I regret to taking that decision. → I regret taking that decision.
   past regret → regret + -ing

Gerunds & Infinitives — Advanced — Exercises

Choose the form

Circle the correct answer.

1. My bike needs _____. (repairing / to repair / repair)
2. I meant _____ you, but I forgot. (to call / calling / call)
3. Moving abroad would mean _____ all my friends. (leaving / to leave / leave)
4. She came _____ into the room, shouting my name. (running / to run / run)
5. Over time, I came _____ how important she was. (to realise / realising / realise)
6. _____ finished her homework, she went out. (Having / To have / Have)
7. He seems _____ the keys at home. (to have left / having left / to leave)
8. We regret _____ you that the flight is cancelled. (to inform / informing / inform)

Complete with -ing or to + verb

Write the verb in the correct form.

1. The windows need   (clean).
2. After school, she went on   (become) a doctor.
3. I regret   (not / listen) to you.
4. She was lucky   (choose) for the team.
5.   (tell) the news, she burst into tears.
6. The rules forbid   (swim) in the lake.

Gerunds & Infinitives — Advanced — Answer Key

Choose the form

1. repairing — need + -ing has a passive meaning (= needs to be repaired) → repairing.
2. to call — mean + to = intend → to call.
3. leaving — mean + -ing = involve → leaving.
4. running — come + -ing = the way someone arrives → running.
5. to realise — come to + verb = a gradual change → to realise.
6. Having — Perfect gerund: Having + past participle.
7. to have left — Perfect infinitive for an earlier action → to have left.
8. to inform — regret + to = formal, giving bad news now → to inform.

Complete with -ing or to + verb

1. cleaning
2. to become
3. not listening
4. to have been chosen
5. Having been told
6. swimming