Topic: Infinitives and Gerunds

Day 4 Bare Infinitives and Special Cases

Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund. These verbs in turn can be subdivided into two groups, verbs where there is little difference in meaning, and verbs where there is a distinct change in meaning.

Verb + Gerund or Infinitive: Little difference in meaning

Here are some common verbs that can be followed by gerunds or infinitives with little change in meaning. There may still be a change in meaning, however, as there are almost limitless combinations of verbs and gerunds/infinitives. Examples of such verbs are begin, bother, continue, start

love / like / hate /prefer

These four verbs use the gerund for situations or actions in progress. The infinitive is used for factual information.

hate

- I hate working there (Itˇs my present job.)
- I hate to work on Sundays. (I may not have to do so now.)

like

- I like playing the piano. (I like the action and experience of playing the piano.)
- I like to play the piano. (It's a fact that I like to play the piano.)

love

- I love living in the country. (I'm probably living there now.)
- I love to live in the country. (I may not be living there now.)

prefer
- I prefer studying by myself. (Sounds more personal, perhaps I'm studying now.)

- I prefer to study by myself. (A plain statement of fact.)

Allow / permit

Allow and permit have one pattern for gerunds and another for infinitives.
allow + gerund - My teacher doesn't allow eating in class.
allow + object + infinitive - My teacher doesn't allow us to eat in class.
permit + gerund - My teacher doesn't permit eating in class.
permit + object + infinitive - My teacher doesn't permit us to eat in class.

Verb + Gerunds or Infinitive: Distinct difference in meaning

These verbs can be followed by gerunds or infinitives but with a change in meaning.

forget / regret / remember
When these verbs are used with a gerund they refer to something that happened before a certain time. When they are used with an infinitive they refer to something that happens at or after a certain time.

forget

Forget with the gerund is often used with never to refer to a memorable previous action.
- I'll never forget going to Japan.

Forget with the infinitive refers to something happening at or after a certain time.
- Don't forget to meet me at 5.00.

regret

Regret with the gerund refers to a previous action.
- I don't regret leaving my job.

Regret with the infinitive is used to give bad news in a formal, polite way. It's often used with the verbs to say, to announce, to tell you and to inform you.
- We regret to inform you the interview is cancelled.

remember

Remember with the gerund refers to a previous action.
- I remember meeting you last year. (I met you before now).

Remember with the infinitive is used for something that happens at or after a certain time.
- Please remember to close the door. (In the future please close the door.)

go on

Go on with the gerund means to continue an action in progress. For example:
- I want to go on studying here.

Go on with the infinitive means to do something new. For example:
- After university, he will go on to study law.

mean

Mean with the gerund indicates consequences, often of a negative kind. For example:
- Buying a new car means spending a lot of money.

Mean with the infinitive shows intention.
- He means to leave his job next month.
- I didn't mean to make you angry.

try

Try with the gerund is used for suggestions.
- "I need to lose weight." "Try exercising and eating healthy food".
- "I'm really hot." "Try sitting here, it's much cooler."

Try with the infinitive means to attempt something.
- I tried to lift it but I couldnˇt.
- I'll try to finish this by tomorrow morning.

stop

Stop with the gerund means to end an action.
- I stopped eating fast food last year.
- I can't stop loving you.
- Stop being so annoying!

Stop with the infinitive means to interrupt an action.
- I was walking to school, and I stopped to say "Hi" to my friends.
- I was working at home, and I stopped to answer the 'phone.

come

Come with the gerund means movement with a sense of surprise or excitement.
- The ball came flying towards me - it almost hit me on the head!
- Don't come running to me! (meaning don't expect sympathy).

Come with the infinitive means a change in perception.
- I thought he wasn't smart, but I came to realise he's very talented.
- I didn't enjoy teaching at first, but I have come to like it.
Come with the infinitive can also give the reason for an action.
- I come to enjoy the view from here.

help

Help with the gerund often refers to something beyond the subject's control.
- I can't help laughing.
- Can I help being tall?

Help with the infinitive refers to assisting.
- I helped to make dinner.
Help is also used with with combined with the gerund to refer to assisting.
- I helped with making the dinner.