B1 · Lesson 16 · 20 min
Gerunds and infinitives
In this lesson
- I can use -ing after avoid, suggest and consider.
- I can use to + verb after plan, hope and promise, and recognise a few meaning changes.
Grammar in context
Maya is organising a small weekend trip with her friends. They are considering staying near the coast, but they want to avoid spending too much money. Maya hopes to book the train tickets tonight and promises to send everyone the details.
Which verbs are followed by -ing, and which are followed by to + verb?
Verbs followed by -ing
After avoid, suggest and consider, use a verb ending in -ing. These verbs often describe choices, ideas or activities. Do not use to + verb after them with these meanings. In questions, the same pattern stays: What do you suggest doing?
- We avoided driving during the storm.
- Leo suggested meeting outside the library.
Verbs followed by to + verb
After plan, hope and promise, use to + the base verb. Plan means you intend to do something; hope means you want something to happen; promise means you say you will do something. In negatives, put not before to: I promised not to be late.
- I plan to call my aunt after work.
- They hope to move to a quieter flat.
A small change in meaning
Some verbs can take both forms, but the meaning changes. Stop doing means finish an activity; stop to do means pause one activity in order to do another. Remember doing means recall a past event; remember to do means not forget a task.
- Nadia stopped eating sweets for a month.
- Nadia stopped to buy some water on her way home.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
We suggested to take the bus.
Use
We suggested taking the bus.
Suggest is followed by an -ing form, not to + verb.
Avoid
I hope visiting Edinburgh next year.
Use
I hope to visit Edinburgh next year.
Hope is followed by to + the base form of the verb.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.