Gerunds and infinitives

Common verbs are followed by either an -ing form or an infinitive, and the pattern must be learned with the verb.

When do we use it?

Use frequent B1 patterns after enjoy, avoid, decide, promise and suggest.

Form

Use enjoy/avoid/suggest + -ing and decide/promise + to-infinitive.

• I enjoy reading.
• She avoided answering.
• We decided to leave.
• He promised to call.

Key contrast

Read the whole context and identify the time, meaning, noun type or sentence structure before choosing.

Common mistakes

• I enjoy to read. → I enjoy reading.
• She decided leaving. → She decided to leave.

Remember

Common verbs are followed by either an -ing form or an infinitive, and the pattern must be learned with the verb.

Quick check

• Find the grammar clue.
• Check the subject and verb form.
• Confirm that the answer fits both structure and meaning.