After the verb let there is an infinitive or gerund. The use of gerunds and infinitives in English. Gerund and infinitive in English with common verbs

The grammar of a foreign language always seems to be something complicated and incomprehensible. Therefore, very often those who study English are faced with the problem of using infinitives and gerunds.

When should you use one or the other? What is the difference between a gerund and a table with words and grammatical forms cannot always help. Unfortunately, there is no clear ground rule. However, here you can find the necessary tips.

Gerund for Beginners

What kind of design is this, you ask? A gerund is a noun-like form that is formed by adding the ending -ing. For example, the word read in a gerund will sound like reading. This verb form can act as the subject or object of a sentence.

For example:

  • Reading helps you study - subject.
  • She likes reading -addition.

This form of the verb can also be in a negative form if you add not to it.

Some verbs need a gerund after their use (see below for a complete list of these verbs).

For example:

  • She suggested eating at a cafe.
  • Nancy keeps complaining about her issues.

Infinitive for Beginners

The infinitive is with the addition of the particle to. This means that the word learn in the infinitive will sound like to learn.

Like the gerund, the infinitive can act as a subject or object.

For example:

  • To learn is important - subject
  • The most valuable thing is to learn - addition

The infinitive can also take a negative form by adding the particle not.

As with the gerund, after a certain group of verbs you should put the initial form of the verb (see full list below).

For example:

  • She wants to visit her Grandma.
  • Lucy needs to cool down.

When to choose one design or another?

Both the infinitive and can be used as the subject or object of a sentence. However, the second in this case sounds like a regular Infinitive, and in turn seems a little abstract.

That is, the gerund sounds more natural and is more common in colloquial speech. The infinitive emphasizes the possibility or potential of something and sounds somehow philosophical. If you are confused by this explanation, just remember that in 90% of cases the gerund acts as the subject and object of a sentence.

For example:

  • Learning is important.
  • To learn is important.
  • The main thing is learning.
  • The main thing is to learn.

It can be difficult to know whether to choose the -ing form or the infinitive as the subject. In such cases, both structures are not mutually interchangeable. Usually the predicate determines what is needed in the sentence.

For example:

  • She enjoys singing.
  • She wants to sing.

Enjoyrequires the use of a gerund after itself, andwant- infinitive.

For more advanced students

Now it’s worth moving on to complicated cases where a gerund and an infinitive are needed in English. The explanatory table below will help you understand this.

Gerund

Infinitive

Can often be used with and Thus, the performer of the action becomes clear:

  • I enjoyed them dancing - They danced, not me.
  • She understood his saying no to the offer - he refused.
  • Sam didn't like Debbie being late for dinner - Debbie came late.

After certain verbs you need to use a combination of nouns. + initial form of the verb. Sometimes it is optional, in other cases there is no way without a noun:

  • The officer ordered the robber to put his arms in the air - need to.
  • Amy asked (him) to go - not necessary.

After a certain list of verbs you need a gerund, but you can also put a noun + infinitive. In the second case, the subject performing the action usually changes:

  • My friend talking advised to the manager - V in general.
  • My friend advised him to talk to the manager - to someone specific.

Now you should have a better understanding of how to use gerunds and infinitives in English. The table with examples shows only frequently occurring cases.

Particular examples of the -ing form

When describing playing any sport, the following combination is often used: go + v-ing:

  • I go jogging every morning.

This form is also used after prepositions. It’s difficult to remember all the words, but the main thing is not to forget the “verb + preposition” structure. Usually it is in this case that the gerund comes next.

For example:

  • My brother made up for forgetting my birthday.
  • She is thinking about moving abroad.

In cases of "adjective/noun + preposition" you should also use a gerund. If you don’t know the lists of such structures, don’t worry. Just remember that after the preposition comes a gerund:

  • She is scared of sleeping in the dark - adjective + pretext.
  • His desire of becoming an actor was well known - noun + pretext.

More complex use cases

Sometimes both a gerund and an infinitive can be used, but each option will have its own meaning:

  • Lucy remembered writing down the address. - Lucy has memories of how she wrote down the address.
  • Scott remembered to take umbrella with him. - Scott didn’t forget to take an umbrella with him.

Sometimes the infinitive and gerund in English after verbs can have a slight difference in translation:

  • She likes dancing. - She likes dancing.
  • She likes to dance. - She likes to dance.

Although in this case the result is almost identical in meaning, there is still a difference. The gerund assumes that you are talking about real actions and experiences. The infinitive indicates that you are talking about potential or opportunity. It is because of this slight difference in meaning that it is not always possible to interchange gerunds and infinitives in English. Table - help! Contact her for help! The following examples can be found there:

  • The writer likes living in California. - The writer likes life in California.
  • The writer likes to live in California whenever he comes to the United States. - The writer likes that he has the opportunity to live in California when he comes to the USA.

Many combinations of be + adjective are used before the infinitive:

  • He was anxious to start.
  • She was happy to get such good critiques.

There are also nouns after which it is usually used:

  • It was a wonderful decision to start anew.
  • Hana's desire to work amazed me.

Some verbs before gerunds

There is a separate list of words for each case. It should be noted that sometimes you can alternate between gerunds and infinitives in English. The table contains words suitable for both cases. Therefore, be careful. Sometimes the meaning does not change with such a replacement, in other cases the use of one form or another can completely change the translation of the sentence. Also note that you should not always translate words in the -ing form into Russian as a noun. Look for equivalents that are more suitable to our speech in sentences that use gerunds and infinitives in English. The translation table that you see below names the main ones.

She admitted being wrong.

She admitted that she was wrong.

The lawyer advised keeping silence for a while.

The lawyer advised to remain silent for the time being.

This bar doesn't allow smoking.

This bar is non-smoking.

I anticipated going to the concert.

I was looking forward to going to the concert.

I appreciated him being concerned about me.

It was dear to me that he was worried about me.

She avoided getting in trouble.

She stayed out of trouble.

I began studying chemistry.

I started studying chemistry.

She can't help worrying about exams.

She can't stop worrying about exams.

He can't stand her yelling for nothing.

He can't stand it when she screams for no reason.

Angy completed writing her novel.

Angie finished writing her novel.

Not considered accepting the offer.

He was considering accepting the offer.

She continued hoping.

She continued to hope.

Sarah delayed applying for a job.

Sarah was slow to apply for a job.

She denied being married.

She denied her marriage.

They discussed going to the party.

They were discussing going to a party.

We don't mind giving you shelter.

We are not against sheltering you.

I enjoy snowboarding.

I enjoy snowboarding.

She forgot telling you the address.

She forgot to tell you the address.

I hate watching TV-show.

I hate watching TV shows.

He imagines dating that girl.

He imagines how he will date that girl.

I kept explaining the problem.

Did I continue to explain? what is the problem.

We love swimming.

We love to swim.

She mentioned passing the exam.

She mentioned that she passed the exam.

He missed going fishing with his father.

He misses going fishing with his dad.

The cat needs feeding.

The cat needs to be fed.

He practiced playing the piano.

He practiced playing the piano.

She prefers eating at home.

She prefers to eat at home.

He quit smoking last week.

He quit smoking last week.

He regretted fighting with her.

He regretted that he had quarreled with her.

Judy remembered putting the keys in her pocket.

Judy remembered that she had put the keys in her pocket.

She risked losing her reputation.

She risked losing her reputation.

He started learning Japanese.

He started learning Japanese.

The clock stopped working days ago.

The clock stopped working a few days ago.

Mary suggested staring anew.

Mary suggested starting over.

I tried knocking on the door.

I tried to knock on the door.

We understand her quitting.

We understand why she quit.

Does a table help you understand the rules for gerunds and infinitives in English? You can always take a photo of the information on the board at school.

However, this way the material is poorly remembered; it is best to write it down in a notebook by hand.

When is the best time to use the initial form?

These words can also include a gerund and an infinitive in English. The table of verbs is not limited to this list; only a shortened version is presented here.

I agreed to show the way.

I agreed to show the way.

He asked to get some help.

He asked for help.

She began to tell the tale.

She began to tell the story.

Igrit can't stand to stay home alone.

Igrit hates being left alone at home.

She cares to call every day.

She makes sure to call every day.

We chose to stay.

We decided to stay.

She continued to talk.

She continued talking.

He decided to propose to her.

He decided to propose to her.

They expect to arrive early.

They expected to arrive early.

She always forgets to bring her homework.

She always forgets to bring her homework.

Helen happened to be at the bank when it was robbed.

Elena happened to be in the bank when it was robbed.

She hates to go to the summer camp.

She hates going to summer camp.

Sonya hesitated to tell me the problem.

Sonya doubted whether to tell me the essence of the problem.

We hope to graduate this year.

We hope to graduate this year.

He learned to sing at the music school.

He learned to sing at a music school.

Jessica likes to dance.

Jessica likes to dance.

She managed to pass the test.

She was able to pass the test.

You need to work out more.

You need to exercise more.

Jack offered to give us a lift home.

Jack offered to take us home.

I plan to go abroad this summer.

I'm planning to travel abroad this summer.

She prefers to listen rather than talk.

She prefers to listen rather than talk.

Anna pretended to care about him.

Anna pretended to care about him.

He promised to come back later.

He promised to return later.

The criminal refused to admit his guilt.

The criminal refused to confirm his guilt.

We regret to tell you that your letter was lost.

We are sorry to inform you that your letter has been lost.

Joane started to run really fast.

Zhanna began to run very quickly.

She threatened to call the police.

She threatened to call the police.

Hiyori tried to talk to the person in charge.

Hiyori tried to talk to the person in charge.

I want to travel around the world.

I want to travel the world.

What are gerunds and infinitives in English? The verb table will help even a beginner understand the construction.

Of course, there are only basic verbs here, but they will be enough for you at first.

The two groups of verbs below can be followed either by the gerund or by the infinitive. Usually this has no effect on the meaning, but with some verbs there is a clear difference in meaning. Verbs marked * can also be followed by a that-clause.

Below are two groups of verbs that can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive. Usually this does not affect the meaning at all, but for some verbs still have a clear effect. After verbs marked *, there can also be a that-clause (clause in a complex sentence starting with that)

A. Verbs where there is little or no difference in meaning:

B. Verbs after which the use of a gerund or infinitive (almost) does not change the meaning

Notes: Notes:

1. Allow is used in these two patterns:

1. Verb Allow (=allow, allow) used in two designs:

a. Allow + object + to-infinitive:

A.Allow + object + to-infinitive:

  • Her parents allowed her to go to the party.
  • Her parents allowed her to go to the party

b. Allow + gerund:

b. Allow + gerund:

  • Her parents don't allow smoking in the house.
  • Her parents don't allow her to smoke at home (= ....smoking at home)

2. Deserve + gerund is not very common, but is mainly used with passive constructions or where there is a passive meaning:

2. Deserve = to deserve, to be worthy of something. Design Deserve +gerund occurs infrequently, mainly with the passive (passive) voice or in the passive sense:

  • Your proposals deserve being considered in detail.
  • Your proposals deserve detailed consideration
  • These ideas deserve discussion.(= to be discussed).
  • These ideas deserve discussion (=to be discussed)

3. The verbs hate, love, like, prefer are usually followed by a gerund when the meaning is general, and by a to-infinitive when they refer to a particular time or situation. You must always use the to-infinitive with the expressions "would love to", "would hate to", etc.

3. After verbs hate (=hate), love(=love), like(=I like) , prefer(=prefer) put a gerund if these verbs have general meaning . If they relate to a specific time and place, then after them they put to-infinitive. After expressions"would love to"(= I would really like...), "would hate to"(= would not like to at all...) always use only infinitive

Compare: Compare:

  • I hate to tell you, but Uncle Jim is coming this weekend.
  • I really hate to tell you this, but Uncle Jim is coming to visit us this weekend.
  • I hate looking after elderly relatives!
  • I really don't like caring for elderly relatives.
  • I love dancing.
  • I love to dance
  • I would love to dance with you.
  • I would like to (c)dance with you

In a sentence, the gerund and the infinitive can often serve the same function, so it can sometimes be difficult to decide where to use the gerund and where to use the infinitive. In this section we will try to explain this as simply and clearly as possible.

1. Both the gerund and the infinitive can perform the functions of subject and predicate in a sentence. However, in most such cases it is much preferable to use the gerund; the infinitive in the functions of subject and predicate is used extremely rarely, especially in modern English. In the following examples, sentences that use a gerund will sound more natural and variants with the gerund will be more likely to be used in everyday speech. The infinitive emphasizes the possibility of something and has a philosophical connotation.

For example:
Learning is important.
Teaching important.

To learn is important.
Teaching important. ( Less likely option.)

learning.
The most important thing is study.

The most important thing is to learn.
The most important thing is to study. ( Less likely option.)

2. It is somewhat more difficult to choose between a gerund and an infinitive as an object in a sentence. In such cases, the gerund and infinitive are usually not interchangeable. Typically, whether a gerund or infinitive is used depends on the semantic verb of the sentence.

For example:
He enjoys swimming.
He likes to swim. ( Verb enjoy requires a gerund after itself.)

He wants to swim.
He wants to swim. ( Verb want requires an infinitive after itself.)

3. Some verbs require a gerund after them (a list of verbs that require a gerund after them).

For example:
She suggested going to a movie.
She suggested we go see a movie.

Mary keeps talking about her problems.
Mary continues to talk about her problems.

4. Some verbs require an infinitive after themselves (a list of verbs that require an infinitive after themselves).

For example:
She wants to go to a movie.
She wants to go see a movie.

Mary needs to talk about her problems.
Mary needs to talk about her problems.

5. The gerund is often used with possessive pronouns, such as his, her, its, your, their, our, John"s, Mary"s, the machine"s, etc., thus indicating who or what performs the action.

For example:
I enjoyed their singing.
I like it their singing. ( Pronoun their shows to whom the action expressed by the gerund refers singing. )

She understood his saying no to the offer.
She understood why He refused the offer.

Sam resented Debbie's coming late to the dinner.
Sam was unhappy that Debbie I was late for dinner.

We discussed the machine"s being broken.
We discussed what car was broken.

6. After some verbs, a noun with an infinitive is used. In some cases the use of a noun is required, and in some cases the noun may not be used (a list of verbs followed by a noun with an infinitive).

For example:
The police ordered the man to stop.
The police ordered the man to stop. ( )

She asked to leave.
She asked to leave. ( No noun is used.)

She asked him to leave.
She asked him to leave. ( The noun is used.)

7. After some verbs, a gerund is usually used, But after them a noun with an infinitive can also be used. When using an infinitive noun, the doer of the action usually changes (a list of verbs followed by a gerund or an infinitive noun).

For example:
I taking advice the train.
I advised going by train. ( This means in general, without contacting anyone.)

I advised him to take the train.
I advised him to go by train. ( It was for him, and not for anyone else.)

8. There are many designs like " go + gerund", which describe outdoor sports and some other activities (list of the construction "go + gerund").

For example:
I go swimming every weekend.
I go swimming at the end of every week.

Would you ever go skydiving?
Would you ever dare to jump from a parachute?

9. Gerund can be used after prepositions, in constructions like " verb + preposition". There is no need to memorize all such constructions, you just need to remember that gerunds can be used after prepositions!

For example:
Leslie made up for forgetting my birthday.
Leslie apologized for forgetting my birthday.

He is thinking about studying abroad.
He is thinking about studying abroad.

10. Keep in mind that English also has many constructions like " adjective + preposition" And " noun + preposition"; a gerund can also be used after them (a list of “adjective + preposition” constructions, followed by a gerund and a list of “noun + preposition” constructions, followed by a gerund). And, once again, you don’t need to memorize all such constructions, you just need remember that gerunds can be used after prepositions!

For example:
Sandy is scared of flying.
Sandy is afraid of flying. ( )

Nick is anxious about taking the examination.
Nick is worried about the upcoming exam. ( Construction "adjective + preposition".)

His interest in becoming a professional snowboarder was well known.
His ambition to become a professional snowboarder was well known. ( )

Thoma's story about seeing a grizzly bear war is really exciting.
Toma's story about how she saw a grizzly bear is very moving. ( Construction "noun + preposition".)

11. After some verbs, a gerund or infinitive can be used, but with a difference in meaning (a list of verbs followed by a gerund or infinitive with a difference in meaning).

For example:
Nancy remembered getting married
Nancy remembered how she got married. ( Nancy has memories of getting married.)

Fred remembered to bring sunblock to the beach.
Fred didn't forget to take sunscreen to the beach. ( Fred remembered that he needed to take sunblock if he went to the beach, so he took it.)

12. Some verbs may be followed by a gerund or infinitive with a slight difference in meaning (a list of verbs followed by a gerund or infinitive with the same meaning).

For example:
She likes swimming.
She likes to swim.
She likes to swim.

Although the difference in meaning when using the gerund and the infinitive in the above verbs is very slight, and in such cases the gerund and the infinitive can often be interchanged, there is still a difference. The use of a gerund implies that we are talking about a present activity, and the use of an infinitive implies that we are talking about a possible activity. Because of this slight difference, the gerund and the infinitive may not always be equivalent, as in the following sentences.

For example:
The British reporter likes living in New York.
The British reporter loves living in New York. ( He lives in New York and loves it.)

The British reporter likes to live in New York whenever he works in the United States.
A British reporter enjoys living in New York while working in the United States. ( He likes the option or possibility of living in New York while working in the United States.)

I like speaking French because it's such a beautiful language.
I like to speak French because it is such a beautiful language. ( When I speak French, I enjoy the process itself and the feeling I get from it.)

I like to speak French when I"m in France.
I like to speak French when I'm in France. ( I prefer to speak French when I'm in France.)

13. There are many designs like " to be + adjective", usually followed by an infinitive (a list of "to be + adjective" constructions followed by an infinitive).

For example:
They were anxious to begin.
They couldn't wait to get started.

She was delighted to receive such good feedback.
She was very happy to receive such good feedback.

He is lucky to have such good friends.
He's lucky to have such good friends.

14. There are also many nouns that are usually followed by an infinitive (a list of nouns that are followed by an infinitive).

For example:
It was a good decision to move to San Francisco.
Moving to San Francisco was a good decision.

His wish to become an actor was well known.
His desire to become an actor was well known.

Laura's desire to improve impressed me.
Laura's desire to improve impressed me.

15. Sometimes the infinitive is used to mean “in order to.”

For example:
He bought the English dictionary to look up difficult words.
He bought an English dictionary to look for difficult words.

Janine sold her car to get the money that she needed.
Janine sold her car to get the money she needed.

The meaning “in order to” is carried by many constructions in the English language:

too + adjective/adverb + infinitive

For example:
The box is too heavy to carry.
The box is too heavy to carry it.

The television is too expensive to buy.
TV is too expensive to buy it.

Fiona ran too slowly to win the race.
Fiona ran too slow to win the competition.

We arrived too late to see the beginning of the movie.
We arrived too late to watch the beginning of the film.

adjective/adverb + enough + infinitive

For example:
She is tall enough to reach the book on the shelf.
She's tall enough to reach the shelf.

Brian was smart enough to enter the college at the age of 12. Brian was smart enough to go to college at age 12.

Linda runs quickly enough to win the race.
Linda runs fast enough to win the competition.

enough + noun + infinitive

For example:
He has enough money to buy his own car.
He has enough money to buy your own car.

Cheryl owns enough books to start her own library.
Cheryl has enough books to open your own library.

Diane needs enough time to finish writing her book.
Diane needs enough time to write your book.

16. After some constructions follows "-ing" form- present participle (list of constructions followed by the “ing” form).

For example:
He had fun fishing.
He had fun while fishing.

They had difficulty finding a parking place.
They had difficulty finding parking.

She spent her time practicing the piano.
He spent the time practicing the piano.

17. Verbs denoting place can often be followed by "-ing" form.
Such structures look like this:
verb of place + object of place + "-ing" form
(a list of place verbs followed by the "-ing" form).

For example:
Sarah stood at the corner waiting for Tom.
Sarah stood on the corner and waited for Tom.

Melissa lay in bed thinking about her future.
Melissa lay in bed and thought about her future.

Don clung to the side of the cliff looking down.
Don clung to the edge of the cliff and looked down.

18. In addition to the simple forms of gerund and infinitive, there are also continuous form gerund and infinitive, passive form gerund and infinitive and perfect form gerund and infinitive, and combinations of these forms. The continuous form is used to indicate that an action is happening right now; The passive form is used to show that the subject of the sentence is being affected by another person or thing; The perfect form is used to indicate that an action has already been completed, either in the past tense or in the future. Study the examples below to get a better understanding of these concepts. Also, in order to better understand the difference between the listed forms of gerund and infinitive, you need to have a good understanding of and in English.

Gerund forms Infinitive forms
Simple
(Simple)
The teacher enjoys teaching.
The teacher enjoys teaching.
The teacher wants to teach.
The teacher wants to teach.
Long-term
(Continuous)
Mr. Smith is really enjoying teaching his class.
Mr. Smith really enjoys teaching his class.
(Looks the same as the Simple form.)
Mr. Smith would like to be teaching his class.
Mr. Smith would like to teach his class.
Passive
(Passive)
The students enjoy being taught.
Students enjoy being taught.
The students want to be taught.
Students want to be taught.
Perfect
(Perfect)
The retired teacher having taught.
A retired teacher remembered how he once taught.
The teacher was expecting to have taught that already.
The teacher expected that he had already taught it.
Long-term
passive
(Passive +
continuous)
The students are enjoying being taught by such an exciting new teacher.
The students love having such a great new teacher teach them.
(Looks the same as the Passive form.)
The students would like to be taught by Mr Smith.
Students would love to have Mr. Smith teach them.
Perfect
passive
(Passive +
Perfect)
The older students reflected having been taught that already.
The older students remembered that they had already been taught this.
The students were expecting to have been taught that by now.
The students expected that this had already been taught.

When using infinitives and gerunds in English, students often have doubts: should they put the particle to or add the ending - ing, or maybe both options will be correct? For example, in a sentence like

“I prefer to travel/travelling by plane” - “I prefer to travel by plane”

But in the proposal

“I remember speaking to him yesterday” - “I remember that I spoke to him yesterday”

only the gerund "speaking" is possible, since using the infinitive to speak in a given sentence will convey the intent:

“I remember to speak to him” - “I remember that I need to talk to him.”

Let's look at some general information about gerunds and infinitives.


Now let's look in the tables after which verbs in English the gerund is used, after which the infinitive is used, as well as the cases of using both the infinitive and the gerund after certain verbs with and without a change in meaning.

Verb + gerund Verb + infinitive Verb + gerund OR infinitive
with NO difference in meaning

“it’s no use complaining” - “there’s no point in complaining.”

Verb + gerund OR infinitive
WITH difference in meaning
I'll never forget talking to her. I will never forget talking to her. Don’t forget to talk to her. Don't forget to talk to her.
I remember going to the doctor. I remember going to the doctor. (memory of a past action) I remember to go to the doctor. I remember that I need to go to the doctor. (reminder of what to do in the future)
I regret sharing my problems with him. I regret sharing my problems with him. (expressing regret about the past) I regret to inform you that you failed the exam. I regret to inform you that you did not pass the exam. (reporting bad news)
This position means speaking English every day. This position requires communicating in English every day. (involvement or expression of result) The students mean to win. These students intend to win. (intend to do something)
She went on working in the garden despite the rainy weather. She continued to work in the garden despite the rainy weather. (continue) After serving dinner she went on to work in the garden. After she served dinner, she went to work in the garden. (replace one action with another)
Try using a spanner. Try using a wrench. (do something to see what happens) I tried to lose weight. I was trying to lose weight. (make an effort to complete a difficult task)
They stopped smoking. They stopped smoking. (stop, finish action) They stopped to smoke. She stopped to smoke. (finish one action to start another)
The sweater needs washing. The sweater needs to be washed. (someone must take action) I need to wash the sweater. I need to wash my sweater. (for someone it is necessary to take an action)
I like skin. I like to ski. (expression of pleasure) I like to finish all the reports first and then focus on e-mails. I like to finish all the reports first and then focus on the letters. (preference to do more difficult work first)

Constantly pay attention to the use of the infinitive and gerund in the speech of native speakers, in audio and video recordings, films, which will help you quickly remember which form after the verb to choose - the infinitive or the gerund. To consolidate theoretical material about gerunds and infinitives in English, complete the exercises “Infinitives and gerunds”.

In contact with

The two groups of verbs below can be followed either by the gerund or by the infinitive. Usually this has no effect on the meaning, but with some verbs there is a clear difference in meaning. Verbs marked * can also be followed by a that-clause.

Below are two groups of verbs that can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive. Usually this does not affect the meaning at all, but for some verbs still have a clear effect. After verbs marked *, there can also be a that-clause (clause in a complex sentence starting with that)

A. Verbs where there is little or no difference in meaning:

B. Verbs after which the use of a gerund or infinitive (almost) does not change the meaning

Notes: Notes:

1. Allow is used in these two patterns:

1. Verb Allow (=allow, allow) used in two designs:

a. Allow + object + to-infinitive:

A.Allow + object + to-infinitive:

  • Her parents allowed her to go to the party.
  • Her parents allowed her to go to the party

b. Allow + gerund:

b. Allow + gerund:

  • Her parents don't allow smoking in the house.
  • Her parents don't allow her to smoke at home (= ....smoking at home)

2. Deserve + gerund is not very common, but is mainly used with passive constructions or where there is a passive meaning:

2. Deserve = to deserve, to be worthy of something. Design Deserve +gerund occurs infrequently, mainly with the passive (passive) voice or in the passive sense:

  • Your proposals deserve being considered in detail.
  • Your proposals deserve detailed consideration
  • These ideas deserve discussion.(= to be discussed).
  • These ideas deserve discussion (=to be discussed)

3. The verbs hate, love, like, prefer are usually followed by a gerund when the meaning is general, and by a to-infinitive when they refer to a particular time or situation. You must always use the to-infinitive with the expressions "would love to", "would hate to", etc.

3. After verbs hate (=hate), love(=love), like(=I like) , prefer(=prefer) put a gerund if these verbs have general meaning . If they relate to a specific time and place, then after them they put to-infinitive. After expressions"would love to"(= I would really like...), "would hate to"(= would not like to at all...) always use only infinitive

Compare: Compare:

  • I hate to tell you, but Uncle Jim is coming this weekend.
  • I really hate to tell you this, but Uncle Jim is coming to visit us this weekend.
  • I hate looking after elderly relatives!
  • I really don't like caring for elderly relatives.
  • I love dancing.
  • I love to dance
  • I would love to dance with you.
  • I would like to (c)dance with you
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