Ready to boost your grammar skills? Dive into our infinitive vs gerund test and discover if you know when to use an infinitive or a gerund in verb compliments. In this verb compliments quiz, you'll tackle engaging gerund and infinitive exercises that sharpen your instincts for using gerunds vs infinitives in real sentences. Start with our gerund infinitive practice for clear examples and tips, then challenge yourself with fun gerunds participles and infinitives activities. Embrace this gerund infinitive quiz to track your improvement. Let's test your grammar prowess - begin now!
She enjoys __ in the park on weekends.
walk
walking
to walking
to walk
After verbs like enjoy, the gerund form is required. 'Enjoy' is followed by 'walking,' not an infinitive. This is a standard gerund usage rule in English. For more detail, see Grammarly.
He decided __ to the meeting early.
to arriving
to arrive
arrive
arriving
The verb 'decide' is followed by a to-infinitive. We say 'decide to arrive,' not 'decide arriving.' This is a common pattern with decision verbs. See more at EF Education First.
They can't wait __ on vacation.
gone
to go
going
go
After 'can't wait,' we use the to-infinitive form: 'can't wait to go.' It expresses anticipation of a future action. Gerunds are not used in this structure. More info at Perfect English Grammar.
She agreed __ me with the project.
helping
to helping
to help
help
After the verb 'agree,' English requires a to-infinitive: 'agreed to help.' 'Agreeing helping' or other forms are incorrect. This is standard for volition verbs. See UsingEnglish.com.
I plan __ yoga classes next month.
to join
to joining
join
joining
The verb 'plan' is followed by a to-infinitive: 'plan to join.' Gerund forms are not used after 'plan.' This follows typical infinitive patterns. Further reading at Grammarly.
He stopped __ coffee to improve his sleep.
to drinking
drink
to drink
drinking
After 'stop' meaning to quit a habit, we use the gerund: 'stopped drinking.' The infinitive would change the meaning. For more, see Perfect English Grammar.
She avoids __ late at night.
to work
to working
working
work
The verb 'avoid' must be followed by a gerund: 'avoids working.' 'Avoid to work' is incorrect in standard English. See EF Education First.
They asked me __ them with the report.
helping
to help
help
to helping
After 'ask' when requesting someone to do something, use a to-infinitive: 'asked me to help.' The gerund is not used here. More at UsingEnglish.com.
I forgot __ the door before leaving.
locked
locking
to lock
have locked
When we fail to do something, use 'forget to + infinitive.' So 'forgot to lock.' The gerund 'locking' would imply forgetting a past action. See Perfect English Grammar.
I remember __ her birthday last week.
to call
call
calling
to calling
Remember + gerund refers to a past event you recall doing. 'Remember calling' indicates you recall the action. 'Remember to call' would refer to a future obligation. More at Grammarly.
She tried __ yoga to reduce stress.
to do
do
doing
to doing
When 'try' means to experiment with something, it takes the gerund. 'Tried doing yoga' means she experimented with yoga. For attempts, 'try to do' is used. See Perfect English Grammar.
They need __ the documents by tomorrow.
submit
to submitting
to submit
submitting
With active meaning, 'need' is followed by to-infinitive: 'need to submit.' The gerund is not standard in this active sense. Passive need + -ing is possible (e.g., 'needs repairing'). See English Forums.
He deserves __ an award for his work.
to receiving
receive
receiving
to receive
After verbs like deserve, we use the to-infinitive: 'deserve to receive.' The gerund is not correct here. Reference: UsingEnglish.com.
I hate __ in traffic jams.
to getting stuck
get stuck
to get stuck
getting stuck
'Hate' is followed by a gerund when expressing general dislike: 'hate getting stuck.' The infinitive form is not used here. See Grammarly.
We look forward to __ you next week.
seeing
to seeing
to see
see
'Look forward to' is a phrasal verb ending in a preposition, so it takes a gerund: 'seeing.' Infinitives aren't used after 'look forward to.' Details at Perfect English Grammar.
He postponed __ the meeting until Friday.
hold
to holding
holding
to hold
After 'postpone,' English uses the gerund: 'postponed holding.' The infinitive is incorrect in this case. See more at EF Education First.
It's no use __ him; he won't change his mind.
to persuade
persuading
persuade
persuaded
'It's no use' is followed by a gerund to indicate a pointless action: 'no use persuading.' Infinitives are not used after this phrase. More at Perfect English Grammar.
She admitted __ the vase.
to break
to breaking
break
breaking
Verbs of confession like 'admit' require a gerund: 'admitted breaking.' A to-infinitive would change the meaning and is incorrect. See UsingEnglish.com.
Have you finished __ the report?
writing
to writing
write
to write
After 'finish,' we use a gerund: 'finished writing.' The infinitive form is not standard here. More details at Grammarly.
I heard someone __ outside the window.
knock
knocking
to knock
knocked
With perception verbs like 'hear,' we use the gerund for ongoing actions: 'heard someone knocking.' The infinitive would imply completeness and is less common. See Perfect English Grammar.
He made me __ the truth.
to tell
to telling
tell
telling
After causative 'make' in active voice, we use the bare infinitive: 'made me tell.' A to-infinitive would be incorrect here. Reference: Grammarly.
I had my car __ last week.
repairing
repaired
to repair
repair
With 'have' to indicate arranged services, the structure is 'have + object + past participle': 'had my car repaired.' The infinitive is not used. More at EF Education First.
She let me __ her phone.
to using
using
to use
use
After causative 'let,' we use the bare infinitive: 'let me use.' A to-infinitive is incorrect in this construction. See Grammarly.
She is accused of __ the documents.
to leaking
leak
leaking
to leak
After 'accused of,' a prepositional phrase, English requires a gerund: 'accused of leaking.' Infinitives do not follow 'of.' More at UsingEnglish.com.
They were thought __ the diamonds during the burglary.
stealing
steal
to steal
to have stolen
After passive perception verbs like 'thought,' we use the perfect infinitive to show the action happened earlier: 'thought to have stolen.' This indicates a past completed action. For reference, see Cambridge Dictionary.
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Medium3/8
Hard2/8
Expert1/1
AI Study Notes
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Study Outcomes
Distinguish Gerunds and Infinitives -
Understand the fundamental differences between gerunds and infinitives to enhance your grammar accuracy.
Identify Verb-Specific Complements -
Recognize which verbs take gerunds, which take infinitives, and exceptions to these patterns.
Apply Correct Usage -
Construct sentences correctly by choosing the appropriate gerund or infinitive after a variety of verbs.
Analyze Verb Compliments -
Examine sentence structures to determine when to use gerunds versus infinitives based on verb complements.
Practice Through Exercises -
Engage with targeted gerund and infinitive exercises to reinforce and test your knowledge.
Assess Your Proficiency -
Complete a scored infinitive vs gerund test to gauge your understanding and identify areas for improvement.
Cheat Sheet
Gerunds and Infinitives Defined -
Gerunds are verb forms ending in -ing that function as nouns, while infinitives consist of "to" + base verb and act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs (Purdue OWL). Practicing both forms helps you recognize their distinct roles in sentences, for example "Swimming is fun" (gerund) vs "to swim is fun" (infinitive).
Verbs Followed by Gerunds -
Certain verbs like enjoy, avoid, and suggest are always followed by gerunds, as verified by the Cambridge Dictionary. Memorize these with the phrase "I enjoy going, I avoid coming, I suggest trying" to anchor the pattern. Regular gerund and infinitive exercises will make this rule second nature.
Verbs Followed by Infinitives -
Verbs such as decide, plan, and hope take the to-infinitive, according to the Oxford Learner's Dictionary. Use the mnemonic "RIP - require, intend, plan" to recall that these verbs need "to" before the base verb. Testing yourself with a gerund infinitive quiz reinforces this pattern.
Meaning Changes with Gerund vs Infinitive -
Some verbs change meaning depending on a gerund or infinitive, for example "stop smoking" (quit) vs "stop to smoke" (pause for a cigarette) (University of Illinois). Compare pairs like "remember doing" vs "remember to do" in practice tests to spot shifts. This insight boosts your accuracy on the infinitive vs gerund test.
Gerunds after Prepositions -
Whenever a verb follows a preposition, use a gerund, as highlighted by the British Council. This applies in phrases like "interested in learning" or "before going home," cementing a key gerund use. Regular gerund and infinitive exercises make these structures second nature.
