Gerunds and Infinitives Worksheet
Before you practice using this worksheet, be sure to review the article on gerunds and infinitives on our website.
Exercise A
Complete the sentence below each picture by choosing the gerund or the infinitive. Remember that some verbs can take either a gerund or an infinitive, while others can take only an infinitive or only a gerund.
1.
He does not want __________ his important task.
a) to forget
b) forgetting
c) to forget OR forgetting
2.
He promised ___________ his ice cream with me.
a) to share
b) sharing
c) to share OR sharing
3.
We suggested _________ in the hot tub after work.
a) to relax
b) relaxing
c) to relax OR relaxing
4.
He likes __________ difficult equations.
a) to solve
b) solving
c) to solve OR solving
5.
Gary does not enjoy __________ paperwork.
a) to do
b) doing
c) to do OR doing
6.
Ted started __________ naps at work!
a) to take
b) taking
c) to take OR taking
7.
I really love _________!
a) to travel
b) traveling
c) to travel OR traveling
8.
He preferred __________ for your call.
a) to wait
b) waiting
c) to wait OR waiting
9.
Eric started ____________ about his ex this morning.
a) to think
b) thinking
c) to think OR thinking
10.
Emily does not miss __________ in class all day long!
a) to sit
b) sitting
c) to sit OR sitting
Exercise B
Use the parts of sentences below to complete the sentences about each picture.
a) gossiping about people he knows.
b) keeping me company all the time.
c) to win the prize for the best story.
d) to get a very good grade from her teacher.
e) to sell four more cars by tomorrow.
f) needing to go to the grocery store on her way home.
g) to tell people how much weight he can lift.
h) spending even one day away from them.
i) celebrating until the weekend so that she could be with her family.
j) to make eggs and pancakes for them.
1.
Peter is a car salesman, and it is the end of the month. He needs ___________
2.
Phil wrote a very good story for the contest. He deserves __________
3.
Maggie's birthday was last week, but she postponed ___________
4.
Karen talks about other people a lot, but George dislikes ___________
5.
Liam is preparing a surprise breakfast for his family. He decided __________
6.
I love my dog! He is wonderful and loyal. I appreciate him ___________
7.
Helen loves her family. She cannot imagine ___________
8.
Lilith worked very hard on her class project. She intended ___________
9.
Ned works out a lot. He never hesitates __________
10.
Francine is a bit late. Oh, I remember now she mentioned ____________
Exercise C
Below each picture are two sentences. Remember that some verbs can take a gerund or an infinitive, but with a different meaning. Other verbs can take a gerund or an infinitive with no change in meaning. Choose the correct answer about the meaning of each sentence.
1.
A: Gerald stopped smoking.
B: Gerald stopped to smoke.
a)
Sentence A means: Gerald does not smoke anymore.
Sentence B means: Gerald stopped what he was doing in order to smoke.
b)
Sentence A means: Gerald stopped what he was doing in order to smoke.
Sentence B means: Gerald does not smoke anymore.
c)
There is no difference in meaning between sentence A and sentence B.
2.
A: Otis loves to sleep.
B: Otis loves sleeping.
a)
Sentence A means: Otis slept in the past and enjoyed it.
Sentence B means: Otis sleeps a lot and always enjoys it.
b)
Sentence A means: Otis sleeps a lot and always enjoys it.
Sentence B means: Otis slept in the past and enjoyed it.
c)
There is no difference in meaning between sentence A and sentence B.
3.
A: Milton forgot to pay the bill.
B: Milton forgot paying the bill.
a)
Sentence A means: Milton paid the bill, but he does not remember that action.
Sentence B means: Milton did not pay the bill because he did not remember to do it.
b)
Sentence A means: Milton did not pay the bill because he did not remember to do it.
Sentence B means: Milton paid the bill, but he does not remember that action.
c)
There is no difference in meaning between sentence A and sentence B.
4.
A: They tried using a different strategy.
B: They tried to use a different strategy.
a)
Sentence A means: They used a different strategy to see the result.
Sentence B means: They wanted to use a different strategy, but it probably was not possible.
b)
Sentence A means: They wanted to use a different strategy, but it probably was not possible.
Sentence B means: They used a different strategy to see the result.
c)
There is no difference in meaning between sentence A and sentence B.
5.
A: Emily remembered to tell Bill about the change.
B: Emily remembered telling Bill about the change.
a)
Sentence A means: Emily told Bill about the change because she did not forget to do it.
Sentence B means: Emily told Bill about the change and remembered this action.
b)
Sentence A means: Emily told Bill about the change and remembered this action.
Sentence B means: Emily told Bill about the change because she did not forget to do it.
c)
There is no difference in meaning between sentence A and sentence B.
6.
A: Paul does not like to take tests.
B: Paul does not like taking tests.
a)
Sentence A means: Paul took tests in the past and did not like it.
Sentence B means: Paul takes lots of tests now and does not like it.
b)
Sentence A means: Paul takes lots of tests now and does not like it.
Sentence B means: Paul took tests in the past and did not like it.
c)
There is no difference in meaning between sentence A and sentence B.
