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Gerund and Infinitives Verbs List (Free PDF)

Learning a new language can be an exciting journey, and when it comes to English, you’ll soon discover that it has its unique rules and structures. One important aspect to grasp as a beginner in English is how verbs work together. When two verbs appear side by side, you may notice either the word “to” between them or an “ing” added to the second verb. This is where infinitives and gerunds come into play, and understanding them is a key step in improving your English language skills.

Infinitives:

In English, when you see the word “to” placed between two verbs, the first verb is often the base form (the most basic form) of the verb. This combination is called an infinitive. For example:

To walk
To eat
To sing

Infinitives are used in a variety of situations, including:

To Express Purpose: You can use infinitives to explain why you are doing something. For example, “I am studying English to communicate better.”
After Modal Verbs: Modal verbs like “can,” “should,” and “must” are often followed by infinitives. For instance, “I can swim.”
With Adjectives: Sometimes, you’ll find adjectives followed by infinitives, as in “She is happy to help.”

Gerunds:

When you see “ing” added to the second verb, this is known as a gerund. A gerund is a verb form that acts as a noun. For example:

Walking
Eating
Singing

Gerunds can be used in various ways:

As a Subject: In sentences like “Singing makes me happy,” “singing” is the subject.
After Prepositions: Many times, gerunds are used after prepositions such as “at,” “on,” and “in.” For instance, “I am good at swimming.”
After Certain Verbs: Some verbs are commonly followed by gerunds, like “enjoy,” “dislike,” and “avoid.” For example, “She enjoys reading.”

The Difference:

Understanding when to use infinitives and gerunds can be a bit tricky, but here’s a general rule of thumb:

Use infinitives when you want to show the purpose of an action or after modal verbs.
Use gerunds when the verb is acting as a noun or after prepositions and certain verbs.

Let’s compare:

“I want to swim.” (infinitive) – You’re expressing a desire or purpose.
“I enjoy swimming.” (gerund) – You’re talking about an activity you like.

Infinitives (Base Form)	Gerunds (-ing Form)
To walk	Walking
To eat	Eating
To swim	Swimming
To read	Reading
To dance	Dancing
To sing	Singing
To play	Playing
To study	Studying
To work	Working
To travel	Traveling
To sleep	Sleeping
To laugh	Laughing
To talk	Talking
To write	Writing
To run	Running
To cook	Cooking
To drive	Driving
To think	Thinking
To understand	Understanding
To love	Loving