In this podcast, we intend to explain some common verbs that are followed by gerunds and the ones that are followed by infinitives so that you can avoid making mistakes when speaking English.
Gerunds and infinitives
What’s a gerund? A gerund is the -ing form of a verb that functions as a noun.
Swimming is my favorite activity. (Here, “swimming” acts as the subject of the sentence.)
Uses of Gerunds
As the subject of a sentence: Eating healthy is important. Smoking is bad for you.
After certain verbs (e.g., enjoy, suggest): He enjoys eating biscuits. She suggested doing a podcast about gerunds and infinitives.
After prepositions: He’s good at speaking English. I’m interested in taking an exam, I’m thinking of going to Thailand.
A gerund can go with a noun phrase, object pronoun or possessive when needed
What’s an infinitive?
An infinitive is the base form of a verb, often with ‘to’ (to + verb).
I like to swim. (to swim is the infinitive)
Uses of Infinitives
As the subject or complement: To learn a new language takes time.
After some adjectives: It’s difficult to speak Chinese, How lovely to see you!
To explain the reason or purpose for something: I’m listening to this podcast to improve my English. She left early to avoid the traffic.
After certain verbs (e.g., want, hope): I want to improve my handwriting . I hope to see you soon.
Gerunds and infinitives after verbs
Some verbs are followed by gerunds, some by infinitives, and these you just have to learn.
Followed by a gerund
enjoy – I enjoy going out with friends
suggest – He suggested going to the Thai restaurant
avoid – I left early to avoid getting stuck in traffic.
recommend – He recommended them leaving on the next plane.
feel like- I don’t feel like studying today
fancy – I fancy going out for lunch this weekend
mind – I don’t mind reading your 200-page thesis and checking your English for you!
consider – Have you considered joining one of Craig’s conversation courses?
keep – She keeps asking the same question.
miss – I miss teaching students in a real classroom.
finish – He finished marking his students’ essays before midnight.
Followed by an infinitive
want – I want to learn more about grammar
hope – we hope to get some voice messages from you next week.
promise – I promise not to eat any more biscuits
agree – You agreed to do it yesterday
expect – I don’t expect to hear from the builder any time soon
decide – I decided to become a Patreon supporter
refuse – I refuse to be spoken to in that tone of voice
offer – He offered to help me
seem – Everyone seems to be interested
manage – She managed to pass the exam
plan – I plan to go to Liverpool in April.
expect – We expect to be back next week with another podcast!
…and now it’s your turn to practise your English.
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In next week’s episode: Verbs followed by gerunds or infinitives with a change in meaning.
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The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called ‘See You Later’