GERUND or INFINITIVE?

Page 129 (WB)

The different uses of the gerund and the infinitive

GERUND (-ing)1) As the SUBJECT when we speak about general facts:

Being a teacher isn't easy

2) As the OBJECT of some verbs:like/dislike         I like going to the cinema     love/hate/detest        I love listening to music      prefer            I prefer reading good booksenjoy            She enjoys travellingcontinue        They continued talkingfinish            We finished writing the essay pretty soon miss            I miss eating paella every SundayconsiderI considered going to the cinema, but it’s too cold for going out.deny He denies having said it. What a liar, I heard him!!!recommend*        I recommend learning languagessuggest*            He suggested going to a restaurant

WATCH OUT!He suggested to me (that) we (should) go to a restaurant

I recommend (that) you (should) read that book

3) After prepositions:I am tired of studying

He was talking about going shopping

4) After the following verbal forms:

can't hep        I can't help falling in love with youcan't stand        He can't stand living with her any morefeel like        I don't feel like dancingit's no use        It's no use talking to drunk peoplebe used to        I am used to sleeping 8 hoursget used to        They got used to living in Cataloniadon't mind        I don't mind explaining things twicewould mind        Would you mind shutting your mouth?

Look forward to        I'm looking forward to hearing from youspend (time)        I want to spend my lifetime loving you

INFINITIVE (to + base form)1) As the SUBJECT when we speak about specific facts:

To leave now would be a mistake

2) As the OBJECT of some verbs:agree        In the meeting, we agreed to work togetherappear        She appeared to be busyseem        He seems to like youchoose        They chose to study in a state school decide        What did you decide to do?expect        Rafa expects to win the matchhope            I hope to pass the examlearn            When I was in England, I learnt to speak without swearingmanage        When I arrived in England, I managed to get a jobplan            Where are you planning to spend Christmas?promise        I promise to be good (but: I promise you that I will be good)refuse        He refused to listen to her offerwant / wish     I want to hold your hand / I wish to listen to this song!

3) After some adjectives:

I am too tired to study todayHe was ready to go out

I'd be very happy to help youI am too busy to go out now

4) After some adverbs:

She ran too slowly to win the raceShe ran too fast to lose the raceYour results are low to be happy

This tree is too high to have it in our garden

5) After the indirect object of the following verbs:

Advise        She advised me to waitInvite        Did Paul invite you to have dinner at his place?Tell        Don't tell me to be patient. Enough is enoughWarn        I warn you not to go! / I warn you to stay here!Teach        My parents taught me to be respectfulPersuade        Who persuaded you to kill him?Help Why don’t you help me to do the washing up?

WATCH OUT!After perception verbs (hear, see, feel...), let and make, the base form must be used:

I heard her comeLet me go!

I made them study

GERUND AND INFINITIVE(object of a verb )

1) SAME MEANING. With some verbs, you can use both and there is no difference:

START        She started to sing / singing when she was 12

BEGIN        She began to sing / singing when she was 12

PROPOSE        I propose to have / having a hamburger

FORBID      The government will forbid to smoke / smoking in public places           

    INTEND        

She intends to visit / visiting Sweden this summer.

GERUND AND INFINITIVE(object of a verb )

2) DIFFERENT MEANING:STOP       

She stopped eating chips because she was getting fatShe stopped to eat chips because she was starving     

FORGET        I forgot telling / having told him the secret. Was I drunk?

Sugar! I forgot to tell you that we need milk   REMEMBER           

I remember walking down this street when I came her for the first time Are you going to Tesco? Remember to buy milk

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------REGRET        

I regret to tell you that your son is dead.I regret telling her that she was beautiful. Now, she is very vain. 

*LIKE        What do you like to do?    I like listening to musicI like to listen to music in the morningI like to listen to music (and I do it)