INFINITIVES or GERUNDS
Changes in Meaning
Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund, sometimes with no difference in
meaning, as in Group A below, and sometimes with a difference in meaning, as in Group B below.
GROUP A: VERB + INFINITIVE OR GERUND,
WITH NO DIFFERENCE IN MEANING
begin
love
like
can´t stand
hate
continue
start
prefer
The verbs in Group A may be followed by either
an infinitive or a gerund with little or no
difference in meaning.
a) It began to rain. / It began raining.
In a) and b): There is no difference between the
b) I started to work. / I started working.
two sentences.
c) It was beginning to rain.
If the main verb is progressive, an infinitive (not
a gerund) is usually used, as in c).
GROUP B: VERB + INFINITIVE OR GERUND,
WITH A DIFFERENCE IN MEANING
remember
forget
The verbs in Group B may be followed by either
an infinitive or a gerund, but meaning is different.
stop
d) Judy always remembers to lock the door.
e) Sam often forgets to lock the door.
f) I remember seeing the Alps for the first time.
The sight was impressive.
g) I’ll never forget seeing the Alps for the first
time.
h) I stopped to have lunch.
Remember + infinitive = remember to perform a
responsibility, duty, or task, as in d).
Forget + infinitive = forget to perform a
responsibility, duty, or task, as in e).
Remember + gerund = remember (recall) something
that happened in the past, as in f).
Forget + gerund = forget something that happened
in the past, as in g). *
Stop + infinitive = interrupt an activity in order
to do something else, so the infinitive is used to
express a purpose.
i) I stopped working for them because the wages
Stop + gerund = finish an action in progress.
were so low
*
Forget followed by a gerund usually occurs in a negative sentence or in a question: e.g., I’ll never forget, I can’t
forget, Have you ever forgotten, and Can you ever forget are often followed by a gerund phrase.
Exercise: Complete the sentences with the correct form (s) of the verbs in parentheses.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
I like (go) ___________ to the zoo.
Stop (tickle) ___________ me!
Don’t forget (do) ___________ your homework tonight.
After a brief interruption, the professor continued (lecture) ___________.
I can remember (be) ___________ very proud and happy when I graduated.
The children love (swim) ___________ in the ocean.
I can’t ever forget (watch) ___________ our team winning the championship for the first time.
I hate (see) ___________ any living being suffer. I can’t bear it.
He stopped (rest) ___________ for a few seconds.
Did you remember (give) ___________ Jake my message?
Made by: Alexandra Jiménez