Lists of Verbs Followed by Gerund and Infinitive

There are four lists of the verbs which are followed by gerund and infinitive:
1) Verbs which are followed by Gerund:
There are some verbs which are only followed by a gerund if an infinitive is used then
the usage of infinitive is considered wrong.
Such verbs are (enjoy, avoid, suggest, mention, mind, appreciate, deny, delay and etc)
Ex: He suggested going to the movies.
Ex: We enjoyed watching that movie.

2) Verbs which are followed by Infinitive:

There are some verbs which are only followed by an infinitive if gerund comes then the
usage of gerund is considered wrong.
Infinitive verbs are divided into the following two structures:
a) Subject + infinitive verb + infinitive (to + verb.1) + comp
Verbs which are used in the above structure are: Refuse, afford, decide, hope, plan,
promise and etc.
Ex: I hope to pass the test.
Ex: They plan to start a new business.
Ex: She refused to marry him.
b) Subject + infinitive verb + object + infinitive (to + verb.1) + comp
Verbs which are used in the above structure are: advise, encourage, tell, remind,
allow, invite and etc.
Ex: I advised him to study hard.
Ex: They told me to go there.
Ex: The parents allow their son to watch movies.

Note: There are some verbs which are used in both structures and they are (ask,
want, need, expect).
Ex: I expect to play well.
Ex: I expect them to play well.

3) Verbs Followed by both Gerund and Infinitive:

There are some verbs which are followed by both gerund and infinitive with the same
meaning such verbs are (like, dislike, love, hate, continue, begin, start, prefer and etc).
Ex: I love eating manto.
Ex: I love to eat manto.
Ex: He hates watching TV.
Ex: He hates to watch TV.

4) Verbs Followed by both Gerund and Infinitive:

There are some verbs which are followed by both gerund and infinitive with different
meaning such verbs are (stop, forget, remember, regret and try).
a) Stop + Gerund:
It means that someone quits an action.
Ex: He stopped smoking cigarette.
Ex: I want to stop teaching English.
a) Stop + Infinitive:
 It means that there are two actions and someone quits his or her first action for the
sake of performing the second action.
Ex: I stopped to answer the door.
Ex: He stopped to get some milk at the store.
b) Remember + Gerund:
It means that someone remembers or recalls something that happened in the past.
Ex: I remember going to Afghanistan for the first time.
Ex: She remembers dancing at her friend’s party.
Ex: They remembered going to the movies.
b) Remember + Infinitive:
It means that someone remembers or recalls to perform his or her duty or
responsibility.
Ex: Sana remembers to wash the dishes.
Ex: I always remember to write my homework.
c) Forget + Gerund:
It means that someone forgets something that happened in the past.
Ex: Ali forgot teasing girls.
Ex: They forget going to the movies.
c) Forget + Infinitive:
It means that someone forgets to perform his or her duty or responsibility
Ex: He always forgets to write his homework.
Ex: I forgot to call you.
d) Regret + Gerund:
It means that someone regrets about something that happened in the past.
Ex: Pakistan regrets losing the match.
Ex: He regretted fighting with his brother.
d) Regret + Infinitive:
It means to tell or inform someone with a bad news.
Ex: I regret to tell you that most of you will fail.
Ex: She regrets to inform that her father passed away.
e) Try + Gerund:
It means to perform different experiments with a new or different approach to see if it
works or not.
Ex: The room was dark, so I tried opening window.
 e) Try + Infinitive:
It means to make an effort.
Ex: We are trying to learn English.

Using Gerund as Subjects and using “it + infinitive”

Both gerund and infinitive have the same meaning when they are used as the subject
of the sentence.
Ex: Voting in every election is important.
Ex: To vote in every election is important.
Note 1: In old fashioned English the subjective case of infinitive was introduced
through the following structure.
Structure: It + to be verb + adjective + to + verb.1 (infinitive) + comp
Ex: It is important to vote in every election.
Ex: It is fun to read novel.
Note 2: In the above structure the pronoun “it” has the same meaning as the infinitive
phrase at the end of the sentence and it is called unreal and pseudo subject or
expletive word.
Infinitive of Purpose
There are many ways through which we can express purpose which are the followings:
1) By using (in order to + verb.1)
Ex: We come to KELC in order to learn English.
Ex: He studies hard in order to get the first position.
Note: Sometimes “in order” can be deleted then in this case the infinitive (to + verb.1) is
used to express purpose.
Ex: We come to KELC to learn English.
2) By using (so as to + verb.1)
Ex: They go to school so as to learn something.
Ex: He works hard so as to earn much money.
Note: Both “in order to + verb.1” and “so as to + verb.1” are formally used to
express purpose but “in order” is more common than “so as”.
3) By using (For + Object)
Ex: He works for money.
4) By using (For + Gerund)
Ex: We come to KELC for learning English.
 Note: Both the above structure and example are wrong because (for + gerund) is never
used to express purpose.
5) Be + Used + For + Gerund
This structure is used to talk about the general purpose of something and in here in this
case an infinitive can also be used.
Ex: A marker is used for writing.
Ex: A knife is used for cutting.

6) Be + used + to + verb.1
This structure is used to show or talk about the specific or particular purpose of something
and here in this case a gerund cannot be used.
Ex: A red marker is used to write titles on the white board.
Adjectives Followed by Infinitive
There are some adjectives which are followed by infinitive and these adjectives show a
person’s feelings.
Ex: I am glad to meet her.
Ex: He is excited to pass the test.
Ex: She is nervous to fail the interview.
Note: In the above examples the infinitive functions as an adverb because it modifies
adjective.
Using Infinitive with “Too” and “Enough”
Too:
It means excessive or more than enough and according to grammar it is an adverb of
degree which is used to show both difficulty and impossibility (it means that it gives a
negative sense).
Note: “Very” is also an adverb of degree which only shows difficulty but not impossibility
(it means that it gives a positive sense).
Ex: The coffee is too hot to take.
Ex: The coffee is very hot to take.
Some Structures with Too
1) Too + Negative Adjective
This structure is used to show or talk about something which is problem.
Ex: My shirt is too tight.
Ex: Our class is too small.
2) Too + adjective + to + verb.1
 This structure is used to show or talk about the excessive condition which stops an action
from happening.
Ex: Ali is too lazy to pass the test.
Ex: I am too short to touch the fan.
Ex: It is too hot to play cricket.
3) Too + adjective + for + object + to + verb.1

This structure is used to show or talk about a particular person for whom something is a
problem.
Ex: It is too late for us to go to class.
Ex: It is too difficult for Ali to find her house.
Enough:
It means sufficient or adequate and according to grammar it can be used as an adjective
and as an adverb.
1) Enough as an Adjective:
As an adjective “enough” means sufficient which shows sufficiency and used in the
following structures.
(a) Enough + noun:
Ex: He has enough money to buy that car.
Ex: I have enough time to reach there on time.
(b) Noun + enough:
Ex: Third world countries do not have resources enough to develop.
Ex: He has money enough to buy that car.
2) Enough as an Adverb:
As an adverb “enough” means very and it is used in the following structures.
(a) Adjective + enough:
Ex: Ali is intelligent enough to get first position.
Ex: We are tired enough to play cricket.
(b) Adverb + enough:
Ex: He drives fast enough to reach on time.
Ex: He talks quickly enough to understand him.
Forms of Gerund and Infinitive
Both gerund and infinitive have the following four forms.
Forms of Infinitive Forms of Gerund
In English grammar infinitive has the following In English grammar gerund has the following four
forms. Four forms.
1) Present Active Infinitive 1) Present Active Gerund
Structure: To + verb.1 Structure: Verb-ing

2) Present Passive Infinitive 2) Present Passive Gerund

Structure: To be + verb.3 Structure: Being + verb.3

3) Past Active Infinitive 3) Past Active Gerund

Structure: To have + verb.3 Structure: Having + verb.3

4) Past Passive Infinitive 4) Past Passive Gerund

Structure: To have + been + verb.3 Structure: Having + been + verb.3

Forms of Infinitive

(1) Present Active Infinitive:

It is used to show that the action of infinitive is performed by the subject or it is used to
show that the subject is the doer of an action.
Present active infinitive is shown through the following structures.
a) Subject + infinitive verb + infinitive (to + verb.1) + comp
Ex: They decided to go to Afghanistan.
Ex: She refused to marry him.
Ex: He agrees to help her.
b) Subject + infinitive verb + object + infinitive (to + verb.1) + comp
Ex: The teacher told the students to submit the forms later.
Ex: They allowed him to leave early.
c) Subject + to be + adjective + infinitive (to + verb.1) + comp
Ex: They are happy to win the match.
Ex: She is sad to fail the test.
Ex: I am tired to teach more.
(2) Present Passive Infinitive:
It is used to show that the action of infinitive is not performed by the subject or it shows
that the subject is the receiver of an action.
Present passive infinitive is shown through the following structures.
a) Subject + infinitive verb + to be + verb.3 + by phrase
Note: Verbs which are used in the above structure are: wish, hope, need, love, like,
afford, want and etc).
Ex: Everyone wants to be respected in the society.
Ex: The students like to be taught by a good teacher.
Ex: I hope to be selected as a teacher.
b) Subject + infinitive verb + object + to be + verb.3 + by phrase
Note: Verbs which are used in the above structure are: advise, want, need, love, like, hate
and etc).
Ex: I need money to be sent by my parents.
Ex: He wants his room to be cleaned.
Ex: I like a car to be bought.
Ex: He hates a glass of water to be brought by him.
c) Subject + to be verb + adjective + to be + verb.3 + by phrase
Note: Adjectives which are used in the above structure are: happy, glad, excited, sad,
lucky, nervous and etc).
Ex: Ali is happy to be given a gift by his girlfriend.
Ex: I am lucky to be sent to America.
Ex: They are sad not to be promoted.

(3) Past Active Infinitive:

It is used to show that the subject did something before the time of the verb or it shows
past with present and past with past relationship.
Past active infinitive is shown through the following structures.
a) Subject + infinitive verb + to have + verb.3 + comp
Note: Verbs which are used in the above structure are: seem, forget, remember, appear,
regret and etc).
Ex: Ali seems to have passed the test.
Ex: He forgot to have written his homework.
Ex: They appeared to have stolen something.
Ex: I remember to have been to the movies.
b) Subject + to be verb + adjective + to have + verb.3 + comp
Note: Adjectives which are used in the above structure are: happy, excited, sad, glad,
tired, nervous, afraid and etc).
Ex: Afghan players are happy to have beaten Scotland.
Ex: Sana was glad to have heard the good news.
(4) Past Passive Infinitive:
It is used to show that something was done to the subject before the time of the verb or it
shows past with present and past with past relationship.
Past passive infinitive is shown through the following structures.
a) Subject + infinitive verb + to have + been + verb.3 + by phrase
 Ex: He seems to have been insulted by her.
Ex: Sana forgot to have been helped by her.
Ex: The students remember to have been taught by Naveed Safi.
b) Subject + to be verb + adjective + to have + been + verb.3 + by phrase
Ex: The students are glad to have been given the scholarships.
Ex: The players are sad not to have been awarded the awards.
Forms of Gerund
(1) Present Active Gerund:
It is used to show that the action is performed by the subject or it is used to show that the
subject is the doer of an action.
Present active gerund is shown through the following structures.
a) Subject + gerund verb + gerund (verb-ing) + comp
Ex: We enjoy studying English.
Ex: I hate teaching this class.
Ex: She suggests going to Kabul.
Ex: They admit killing prime minister.
b) Subject + to be verb + adjective + preposition + gerund (verb-ing) + comp
Ex: We are excited about visiting the king.
Ex: They are afraid of making a mistake.
c) Subject + gerund verb + preposition + gerund (verb-ing) + comp
Ex: We should keep on working hard.
Ex: Our teacher insists on coming to class on time.
(2) Present Passive Gerund:
It is used to show that the subject does not perform the action or it shows that the subject
is the receiver of the action.Present passive gerund is shown through the following
structures.
a) Subject + gerund verb + being + verb.3 + by phrase
Note: Verbs which are used in the above structure are: enjoy, avoid, mind, mention,
suggest, appear and etc).
Ex: He avoids being given the scholarship.
Ex: The students suggest not being taught by me.
Ex: Sana minds being dogged on the street.
b) Subject + to be verb + adjective + preposition + being + verb.3 + by phrase
Note: Adjectives and prepositions which are used in the above structure are: happy about,
excited about, nervous about, sad about, afraid of and etc).
Ex: The students are sad about not being allowed in the class.
Ex: We are excited about being awarded the awards.
Ex: The guests are thankful for being served by the host.
c) Subject + gerund verb + preposition + being + verb.3 + by phrase
Note: Verbs and prepositions which are used in the above structure are: complain about,
talk about, think for, think about and etc).
Ex: He complains about not being sent money by his brother.
Ex: Sana talks about not being selected as a teacher.
Ex: The students complain about being punished in the class.
(3) Past Active Gerund:
Past active gerund is used to show that the subject did something before the time of the
verb or it shows past with present and past with past relationship.
Past active gerund is shown through the following structures.
a) Subject + gerund verb + having + verb.3 + comp
Note: verbs which are used in the above structure are: admit, mention, remember, regret,
forget, deny, miss, appreciate and etc).
Ex: They admitted having stolen the money.
Ex: Sana misses having stayed with her family.
Ex: My brother mentioned having had good time in Kabul.
b) Subject + to be verb + adjective + preposition + having + verb.3 + comp
Ex: Sana was sad about having lost her purse.
Ex: We are worried about not having won the match.
Ex: He was happy about having had a new car.
(4) Past Passive Gerund:
Past passive gerund is used to show that something was done to the subject before the
time of the verb or it shows past with present and past with past relationship.
Past passive gerund is shown through the following structures.
a) Subject + gerund verb + having + been + verb.3 + by phrase
Ex: They appreciated having been invited to the party.
Ex: He forgot having been helped by his brother.
Ex: Ali denies having been arrested by police.
Ex: Sana admits having been proposed by Ali.
b) Subject + to be verb + adjective + preposition + having + been + verb.3 + by
phrase
Ex: They are tired of having been taught by one teacher.
 Ex: She was happy about having been supported by her father.
Using Gerund or Passive Infinitive Following Need
The verb “need” is followed by both gerund and infinitive.
Need + Infinitive:
When the subject of “need” is a person then “need” can be followed by both active and
passive infinitive.
Ex: I need to buy a car.
Ex: I need a car to be bought.
Ex: He needs money to be sent by his brother.
Ex: He needs money to have been sent by his brother.
Note: The subject of “need” can also be a thing then in this case we can only use the
passive infinitive.
Ex: The car needs to be washed.
Ex: The room needs to be painted.
Need + Gerund:
When “need” is followed by gerund then in this case the subject of “need” is a thing and
gerund after “need” has the same meaning as the passive infinitive.
Ex: The car needs washing.
Ex: The room needs painting.
Note: The subject of “need” can also be a person when “need” followed by gerund but it
is uncommon.
Ex: They need helping.

Using Possessive to Modify Gerund

A possessive can modify gerund in the following ways.
1) By using the possessive adjectives (my, our, your, his, her, their, its)
2) By using possessive nouns (Wali’s, Ahmad’s, Ali’s, Sana’s)
3) By using object pronouns (me, us, you, him, her, them, it)
4) By using nouns (Wali, Ahmad, Ali, Sana)

1) Using Possessive Adjective to Modify Gerund:

If there is no possessive adjective before gerund in a sentence then in this case the action
of gerund is performed by the subject but if there is possessive adjective before gerund in
a sentence then the action of gerund is performed by the possessive adjective.
Ex: I like his teaching English.
Ex: They enjoy her dancing.
2) Using Possessive Noun to Modify Gerund:
Ex: The students are interested in Naveed’s teaching.
Ex: The fans love Afridi’s batting.
3) Using Object Pronouns to Modify Gerund:
Ex: His parents love him working hard.
Ex: He misses her laughing.
4) Using Nouns to Modify Gerund:
Ex: I like Afridi hitting sixes.
Ex: He enjoys Nazia singing.
Note: Both possessive adjectives and possessive nouns are formally used to modify
gerund while object pronouns and nouns are informally used to modify gerund.