On this page, we will learn about gerunds and infinitives, verbs followed by either infinitives or gerunds, and the difference between gerunds and infinitives.
For English language learners, choosing between the gerund and the infinitive when they are the sentences object can be very challenging. If they are the sentence's object, the verb comes before them. To learn which gerund or infinitive to use after which verb, refer back to the earlier lectures on gerunds and infinitives. In those courses, you learned that some verbs can only be followed by the gerund (instead of the infinitive) and that some verbs can only be followed by the infinitive (not the gerund). Here are a few examples, but for more, see the lessons on gerunds and infinitives:
Examples of verbs that are followed by a gerund | Examples of verbs that are followed by an infinitive |
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The gerund or the infinitive is acceptable in some situations, though. These common verbs can be followed by either of the two:
VERB | EXAMPLE SENTENCE |
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attempt |
We attempted to walk every morning. |
We attempted walking every morning. | |
begin |
He generally begins to feel fresh at 10am. |
He generally begins feeling fresh at 10am. | |
cease |
The government ceased to drive on that road. |
The government ceased driving on that road. | |
continue |
The cops continued to chase him. |
The police continued chasing him. | |
hate |
He hates to go to walk. |
He hates going to walk. | |
like |
Majority of people like to travel around the world. |
Majority of people like traveling around the world. | |
love |
We love to eat at roof-top restaurants. |
We love eating at roof-top restaurants. | |
prefer |
The election committee prefers to vote in October. |
The election committee prefers voting in October. | |
propose |
Our company proposed to delay the company amalgamation last year. |
Our company proposed delaying the company amalgamation last year. | |
start |
He will start to make the house next week. |
He will start to make the house next week. | |
try |
My parents tried to reduce their intake of calories. |
My parents tried reducing their intake of calories. |