GRAMMAR REVIEW! Gerunds vs. infinitives

Here's a clear and simple summary of when to use gerunds (verb + -ing) vs. infinitives (to + base verb) in English.

GERUNDS (verb + -ing)

• Used after certain verbs: enjoy, avoid, consider, admit, suggest, keep, mind, deny
Examples: I enjoy reading.
She suggested going to the park.

• Used after prepositions
Examples: He's good at drawing.
We talked about leaving early.

• Used as the subject or object of a sentence
Examples: Swimming is fun.
I love cooking.

INFINITIVES (to + verb)

• Used after certain verbs: want, need, hope, plan, decide, learn, promise, agree
Examples: I want to travel.
They decided to stay.

• Used to express purpose
Examples: She studies to pass the exam.
He went outside to get some air.

• After adjectives
Examples: It's hard to understand.
I'm happy to help.

TOP TIP! Some verbs (like "to stop") can take both, but the meaning changes:
Example:
I stopped smoking. (quit the habit)
I stopped to smoke. (paused something else to have a cigarette)

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