GERUND OR INFINITIVE EXERCISE 2 (ESL)
level: Beginner/Intermediate (A2/B1)
✓ Useful for TOEFL
✓ Useful for Cambridge B2/C1
This second gerund or infinitive exercise includes several pairs of sentences using the same verb — once requiring the gerund, once requiring the infinitive — to help you feel the difference in context. Start with exercise 1 if you haven't already.
GRAMMAR REVIEW: Gerund or Infinitive? — Verb Pairs & Preposition Patterns
This exercise features several sentence pairs that show the same verb used with both a gerund and an infinitive. Understanding why each form is correct is more useful than just memorizing lists.
When the same verb triggers both forms with the same meaning:
Some verbs — like, love, hate, start, begin, continue — take either form without a change in meaning:
I've always wanted to visit Australia. (want + infinitive)
I've always dreamed of visiting Australia. (preposition of + gerund)
The preposition rule — the most reliable rule in this area:
After any preposition, always use the gerund. No exceptions.
interested in moving / good at drawing / think about leaving / plan on buying / dream of visiting
Watch out for "forget" and "don't forget":
Don't forget to clean the kitchen. → infinitive (reminder about a future action)
Don't forget about cleaning the kitchen. → gerund after preposition about
Both are correct — the structure before the verb determines the form.
This exercise features several sentence pairs that show the same verb used with both a gerund and an infinitive. Understanding why each form is correct is more useful than just memorizing lists.
When the same verb triggers both forms with the same meaning:
Some verbs — like, love, hate, start, begin, continue — take either form without a change in meaning:
I've always wanted to visit Australia. (want + infinitive)
I've always dreamed of visiting Australia. (preposition of + gerund)
The preposition rule — the most reliable rule in this area:
After any preposition, always use the gerund. No exceptions.
interested in moving / good at drawing / think about leaving / plan on buying / dream of visiting
Watch out for "forget" and "don't forget":
Don't forget to clean the kitchen. → infinitive (reminder about a future action)
Don't forget about cleaning the kitchen. → gerund after preposition about
Both are correct — the structure before the verb determines the form.
Fill in each space with either the gerund ("-ing") or the infinitive form of the verb in parentheses.
Example: "Reading in the dark is difficult. (to read)" OR "Don't forget to brush your teeth." (to brush)
MORE LIKE THIS:
Gerund or infinitive 1 (A2/B1)
Gerund or infinitive 2 (A2/B1)
Gerund or infinitive 3 (B1/B2)
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Gerund or infinitive 1 (A2/B1)
Gerund or infinitive 2 (A2/B1)
Gerund or infinitive 3 (B1/B2)
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DID YOU KNOW? Gerunds vs. infinitives across languages
Most languages don't have a gerund/infinitive distinction the way English does — which is a big part of why it's so difficult for ESL learners. In Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese, the infinitive does most of the work that both forms do in English: J'aime nager (French) and Me gusta nadar (Spanish) both use the infinitive to say "I enjoy swimming" — so speakers of these languages often default to the infinitive in English even when the gerund is required.
In contrast, German has a strong gerund-like construction and speakers often over-apply the -ing form. Mandarin Chinese handles verbal nouns completely differently and has no direct equivalent of either form, making both equally unfamiliar.
The good news: research in second language acquisition suggests that verb-by-verb exposure — exactly what exercises like this provide — is the most effective way to internalize these patterns. Trying to memorize rules alone rarely works; seeing the verbs in natural context is what makes them stick.
Most languages don't have a gerund/infinitive distinction the way English does — which is a big part of why it's so difficult for ESL learners. In Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese, the infinitive does most of the work that both forms do in English: J'aime nager (French) and Me gusta nadar (Spanish) both use the infinitive to say "I enjoy swimming" — so speakers of these languages often default to the infinitive in English even when the gerund is required.
In contrast, German has a strong gerund-like construction and speakers often over-apply the -ing form. Mandarin Chinese handles verbal nouns completely differently and has no direct equivalent of either form, making both equally unfamiliar.
The good news: research in second language acquisition suggests that verb-by-verb exposure — exactly what exercises like this provide — is the most effective way to internalize these patterns. Trying to memorize rules alone rarely works; seeing the verbs in natural context is what makes them stick.
