2 - GERUND OR INFINITIVE
1st. option - RULE OF THUMB
Gerunds are often used when actions are real, concrete or completed:
I stopped smoking.
(The smoking was real and happened until I stopped.)
Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future:
I stopped to smoke.
(I was doing something else, and I stopped; the smoking had not happened yet.)
FILL THE GAPS WITH EITHER AN INFINITIVE OR A GERUND ACCORDING TO THE RULE ABOVE:
1. Why don’t you stop (work) ______________ and take a rest?
2. The annoyed man threatened (call) __________________ the police.
3. When we told him the plan, he agreed (join) ________________ our team.
4. We can’t afford (buy) _____________ a new car.
5. Do you enjoy (make) _____________ other people angry?
6. This kind of sport involves (train) ____________ daily.
7. If you have finished (have) __________ your lunch, clear the table, please.
8. I had never anticipated (pay) ____________ so much for the redecoration.
9. Everybody dislikes (do) ___________ exams.
10. I was a bit lazy this time, but I promise (study) ____________ harder next time.
11. He managed (fix) _____________ the TV set himself.
12. If you want a quiet holiday, you should avoid (go) ____________ the coast in summer.
13. Do you intend (get) _____________ fit?
14. I admit (cheat) ____________ in the exam.
15. I missed (have) _____________ dinner with my old school mates.
2nd option - STUDY LISTS OF VERBS
VERBS FOLLOWED BY -ING
admit
anticipate
avoid
consider
delay
deny
detest
dislike
enjoy
escape
excuse
finish
forgive
involve
keep
mention
mind
miss
pardon
postpone
practise
risk
stop
suggest
understand
It’s no good
It’s no use
It isn’t worth
can’t stand / resist
can’t help
VERBS FOLLOWED BY TO- INFINITIVE
agree
appear
arrange
care
decide
fail
hesitate
hope
intend
learn
manage
prepare
promise
refuse
seem
swear
tend
threaten
afford
to work
to call
joining
Buying
making
training
paying
to do
to study
fixing to go
geting
to cheat
to have
