Gerund or Infinitive Exercises +pdfs
Level: 🟠 B1
Practice these free exercises to get more accurate with gerunds (ing) and ‘to infinitive’ verb patterns. There are free downloadable pdf worksheets to study from as well on this page.
Exercise 1
20 questions and answers
1.
He’s learned _____ (play) the guitar in 2 months. I’m very impressed with his progress.
✅ to play
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘learn’.
2.
We agreed _____ (eat) at 8pm instead of 7pm.
✅ to eat
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘agree’.
3.
I miss _____(go) to university. My life is much more complicated now that I work full-time.
✅ going
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘miss’.
4.
She promised ________(pay) me the money she owed me, but she hasn’t paid anything…
✅ to pay
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘promise’.
5.
Paul kept ______ (speak) on his phone when he was in the cinema.
✅ speaking
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘keep’.
6.
I completed ________(make) the meal by the time they arrived.
✅ making
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘complete’.
7.
We chose _______ (sell) our car because it was getting too old.
✅ to sell
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘choose’.
8.
Mark risked _____ (say) the wrong thing when he talked to his mother-in-law.
✅ saying
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘risk’.
9.
Doctor: I recommend _____ (take) these drugs for 1 month.
✅ taking
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘recommend’.
10.
We managed ______ (hire) a car at a local garage when we were on holiday in Portugal.
✅ to hire
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘manage’.
11.
I’ve finished ______ (clean) the lounge and now I will clean the stairs and bedrooms.
✅ cleaning
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘finish’.
12.
I know that you’ve delayed ______ (go) to the dentist because you are nervous, but you have to go!
✅ going
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘delay’.
13.
He enjoys _______ (fish) on the weekend, but he rarely catches any fish.
✅ fishing
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘enjoy’.
14.
We offered ______(take) them to airport, but they bought their bus tickets a long time ago.
✅ to take
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘offer’.
15.
I don’t mind _____ (cook) for her, but sometimes it’s nice to go out to a restaurant.
✅ cooking
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘mind’.
16.
He avoids ______(drink) coffee because sometimes it makes him anxious about things.
✅ drinking
ℹ️ We a gerund after the verb ‘avoid’.
17.
He seemed _______ (get) annoyed when they showed him the price.
✅ to get
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘seem’.
18.
We’ve decided ______(sell) the small boat that we have. We hardly ever use it.
✅ to sell
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘decide’.
19.
I imagine _______ (live) in a bigger house in the future.
✅ living
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘imagine’.
20.
I fancy __________(go) for a drink in that new cafe this afternoon.
✅ going
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘fancy’.
Exercise 2
In these English conversations, you have to choose between the gerund or ‘to’ infinitive.
Exercise 3
20 questions and answers
1.
Don’t forget ______ (lock) the door for your own safety.
✅ to lock
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘forget’.
2.
I didn’t mean ______ (hurt) your feelings.
✅ to hurt
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘mean’.
3.
Have you finished _______ (do) your homework?
✅ doing
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘finish’.
4.
I avoid _________ (speak) in public if I can, but I have to make presentations at work, so I try.
✅ speaking
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘avoid’.
5.
I used __________(walk) 5 miles in the morning and I never felt tired.
✅ to walk
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘used’ when talking about past habits.
6.
I am preparing _______ (go) climbing this weekend.
✅ to go
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘prepare’.
7.
He needs _______ (get) a job soon because he has been unemployed for a long time.
✅ to get
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘need’.
8.
I am so happy. I have just quit (smoke) ______!
✅ smoking
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘quit’.
9.
David enjoys __________ (listen) to music at night.
✅ listening
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘enjoy’.
10.
Do you mind _________ (get) up early tomorrow?
✅ getting
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘mind’.
11.
Paula’s been thinking a lot, but now she’s decided ________ (study) at a university in the Netherlands.
✅ to study
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘decide’.
12.
I miss _______ (work) for my old company.
✅ working
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘miss’.
13.
I hope _______ (give) my girlfriend a really nice surprise gift for her birthday.
✅ to give
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘hope’.
14.
I’ve managed ______(get) a promotion at work. My boss finally decided to agree to it.
✅ to get
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘manage’.
15.
I can’t stand _____ (listen) to heavy metal music. I don’t know why people enjoy that style.
✅ listening
ℹ️ We use a gerund after ‘can’t stand’.
16.
Clair suggested ______(eat) the pizza in Naples. She thinks it’s the best in Italy.
✅ eating
ℹ️ We a gerund after the verb ‘suggest’.
17.
I dislike _______ (drive) to the city centre because it always takes a very long time. It’s too congested.
✅ driving
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘dislike’.
18.
Becky plans ______(start) her own business, but she needs to get a loan from the bank.
✅ to start
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘plan’.
19.
I tend _____ (feel) tired after eating a big meal, so I’ve decided to eat smaller meals more frequently.
✅ to feel
ℹ️ We use ‘to infinitive’ after the verb ‘tend’.
20.
He admitted __________(take) some extra money from our savings. I’m angry, but I admire his honesty.
✅ taking
ℹ️ We use a gerund after the verb ‘admit’.
