Are there some rules i can follow for making choices in relation to the infinitive form?
To + infinitive or -ing form?
2 Answers
It can be a little difficult to know when to use gerunds and infinitives. Of course, you need to check the verb patterns and try to remember them. However, there are also some rules.
We use gerunds (verb + ing):
- After certain verbs –(especially likes and dislikes) I enjoy singing
- After prepositions - I drank a cup of coffee before leaving
- As the subject or object of a sentence - Swimming is good exercise
We use 'to' + infinitive:
- After certain verbs - We decided to leave
- After adjectives - It's difficult to get up early
- For purpose- I came to London to study English
We use the bare infinitive (the infinitive without 'to'):
After modal verbs - I can meet you at six o'clock
- After 'let', 'make' and (sometimes) 'help' - The teacher let us leave early
- After some verbs of perception (see, watch, hear, notice, feel, sense) - I watched her walk away
- After expressions with 'why' - why go out the night before an exam?
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