1. GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

2. INFINITIVE We use the INFINITIVE: After adjectives:
It was too difficult to understand.
To express PURPOSE:
I’m learning English to get a better job.
I came here to talk to the teacher.
After certain verbs:
offer
decide
hope
deserve
promise
agree
plan
manage
afford
threaten
refuse
arrange
fail
forget
learn

3. INFINITIVE It was late, so we decided to take a taxi home.
Simon was in a difficult situation so I agreed to help him.
How old were you when you learnt to drive?
I waved to Karen, but I failed to attract her attention.

4. GERUND We use the GERUND: After prepositions and phrasal verbs
I’m very good at remembering names
She doesn’t want to retire. She wants to go on working.
As the subject of a sentence
Waking up in the morning makes me feel good.
After certain verbs:
stop
postpone
admit
avoid
imagine
finish
consider
deny
risk
fancy
love
like
hate
Mind
spend

5. GERUND Suddenly everybody stopped talking.
I’ll do the shopping when I’ve finished cleaning the flat.
He tried to avoid answering my question.
I don’t fancy going out this evening.
Have you ever considered going to live in another country?

6. INFINITIVE WITHOUT TO We use the infinitive WITHOUT to:
After modal verbs:
I can swim very well
I must finish this today!
After MAKE and LET – these verbs have the structure: verb + object + infinitive (without to)
I made him promise that he wouldn’t tell anybody.
Hot weather makes me feel tired.
Her parents don’t let her go out alone.
Let me carry your bag for you.