GERUNDS AND

INFINITIVES
THEORY: PART 1
Task: Read the theory about gerunds.

GERUNDS

Verbs followed by gerunds

1. Consider ● I considered moving to Spain.

2. Finish ● I finished working at 20:00.

3. Miss ● I miss walking on the beach.

4. Enjoy ● I enjoy hiking in the forest.

5. Avoid ● I avoid making mistakes by being attentive.

6. Quit ● I quit working for that company years ago.

Verbs followed by a preposition and gerund

a. Feel like ● I feel like going to the movies tonight.

b. Worry about ● Sometimes I worry about losing my job.

c. Believe in ● I believe in working hard.

d. Talk about ● We always talk about going to France.

e. Think about ● He thinks about quitting his job.

f. Plan on ● I plan on becoming the CEO.

ESL Pals 1 Grammar Worksheet

 COMPLETE THE SENTENCES
Task 1: Complete the sentences by using the -ing form of the verbs from the box.

spend move procrastinate write see interrupt

1. She is considering moving to a new city for a fresh start.

2. After hours of hard work, he finally finished writing his novel.

3. I will miss seeing you every day when you move away.

4. They enjoy spending their weekends hiking in the mountains.

5. Please avoid interrupting the meeting.

6. John finally quit procrastinating and started working on his assignment.

Task 2: Complete the sentences by using the -ing form of the verbs from the box.

miss pursue relax visit follow go

a. After a long day at work, I feel like relaxing with a good book.

b. He is worried about missing his flight.

c. He believes in following his passions.

d. During the family dinner, we talked about going to Paris this summer.

e. I often think about pursuing a new career path to challenge myself.

f. We plan on visiting the art museum this Saturday.

ESL Pals 2 Grammar Worksheet

 THEORY: PART 2
Task: Read the theory about infinitives.

INFINITIVES

Verbs followed by infinitives

● Choose ● We’ll choose to sell the house.

● Hope ● I hope to see you soon.

● Agree ● They agreed on working together.

● Need ● He needs to finish his work.

● Decide ● I decided to buy a new car.

● Want ● We want to move to another house.

Verbs followed by objects and infinitives

● Allow ● We allow the dogs to sleep on our bed.

● Ask ● We asked them to bring the dessert.

● Teach ● I teach my class how to draw and paint.

● Invite ● They will invite their friends to come to the party.

● Warn ● We should warn her to stay away from him.

ESL Pals 3 Grammar Worksheet

 FIX THE MISTAKES
Task: Can you find and correct any errors in the sentences below?

Be careful; not all of the sentences contain mistakes.

1. He always chooses to walk home.

2. They agreed to meet at the coffee shop later.

3. She decided to pursue a career in medicine after finishing college.

4. Do you want to join us for dinner tonight?

5. They allow their children to stay up late on weekends.

6. She will ask her friend to help with the project.

7. He wants to teach his nephew how to ride a bike.

8. We should invite them to come to the party next Saturday.

9. The lifeguard will warn swimmers not to go too far from the shore.

10. She always chooses to wear the blue dress to the party.

11. They finally agreed to go on a road trip together.

12. She needs to decide whether to study abroad or stay home.

13. Do you want to try the new restaurant in town tonight?

14. She hopes to travel to Paris next year.

15. We need to buy groceries for the week.

ESL Pals 4 Grammar Worksheet

 THEORY: PART 3
Task 1: Read the theory about gerunds and infinitives.

GERUNDS & INFINITIVES

Verbs followed by gerunds or infinitives (sentence meaning stays the same)

● Begin ● They began working / They began to work.

● Start ● It will start raining / I will start to rain.
● Continue ● I will continue working / I will continue to work.
● Like ● He likes cooking / He likes to cook.
● Love ● She loves fishing / She loves to fish.
● Hate ● We hate driving / We hate to drive.

Verbs followed by gerunds or infinitives (sentence meaning changes)

● Forget ● Forget working at that company - they are unethical.

I forgot to bring the wine.
● Remember ● I remember living in Buenos Aires when I was young.
Did you remember to bring the key?
● Try ● She tries getting along with everyone.
I will try to come to the party tonight.

Task 2: Complete the sentences using the words in the box.

work study hike wait read swim

1. She began to study / studying for her exams early in the morning.
2. He started to work / working on his novel last month.
3. They continued to hike / hiking even though it started raining.
4. I like to read / reading mystery novels in my spare time.
5. She loves to swim / swimming in the ocean during the summer.
6. I hate to wait / waiting in long lines at the grocery store.

Task 3: Discuss how gerunds and infinitives can be used in each of the sentences above.
Can you create six of your own sentences using the same verbs?

ESL Pals 5 Grammar Worksheet

 QUIZ
Complete the sentences by choosing the correct answer.

1. My dog really enjoys _____________ to the park.

a. going
b. to go
c. both options are correct.

2. She started _____________ very quickly when she saw the bear.
a. to run
b. running
c. both options are correct.

3. They like _____________ basketball at the park.

a. playing
b. to play
c. both options are correct.

4. Do you feel like _____________ out to a bar for a beer?

a. going
b. to go
c. both options are correct.

5. My friend doesn’t want _____________ to work because he is sick.

a. going
b. to go
c. both options are correct.

6. I miss _____________ to the beach and watching the sunset.

a. going
b. to go
c. both options are correct.

7. I don’t like _____________ scary movies.

a. watching
b. to watch
c. both options are correct.

8. Tom wants _____________ lasagna tonight.

a. cooking
b. to cook
c. both options are correct.

ESL Pals 6 Grammar Worksheet

 9. We decided _____________ the red car.
a. buying
b. to buy
c. both options are correct.

10. I invited my friends _____________ to my birthday party.

a. coming
b. to come
c. both options are correct.

11. I enjoy _____________ some time to myself. I like to read and watch series.
a. having
b. to have
c. both options are correct.

12. My brother asked me _____________ him move.

a. helping
b. to help
c. both options are correct.

13. After a few more hours, it continued _____________ .

a. snowing
b. to snow
c. both options are correct.

14. We agreed _____________ our house for a cheaper price.

a. selling
b. to sell
c. both options are correct.

15. I love _____________ in my free time.

a. painting
b. to paint
c. both options are correct.

16. They need _____________ their plans.

a. discussing
b. to discuss
c. both options are correct.

ESL Pals 7 Grammar Worksheet

 GERUNDS USED AS SUBJECTS
Complete the sentences by using the -ing form of the verbs from the box.

cook learn fly shop find smoke sleep

drink cycle eat swim spend watch drive

1. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables are necessary to stay healthy.

2. Drinking responsibly is important when you're at a social gathering.

3. Driving in heavy rain requires extra caution.

4. Watching series in English can help you with your listening skills.

5. Learning about different animals is very interesting.

6. Smoking is not allowed inside the restaurant.

7. Finding a cheap restaurant in New York City isn’t easy.

8. Sleeping eight hours at night is essential for daily concentration.

9. Swimming is great exercise.

10. Spending too much time on your cellphone is bad for your eyes.

11. Shopping is my favourite activity.

12. Cooking is a great way to relax after a long day at work.

13. Flying makes me nervous.

14. Cycling to work is a great way to get some exercise.

ESL Pals 8 Grammar Worksheet

 GERUNDS USED AS OBJECTS
Complete the sentences by using the -ing form of the verbs from the box.

dance cook drive read draw clean

paint swim hike cycle surf shop

1. Joana bought a new bicycle. She enjoys cycling.

2. My husband hates cooking. I always have to prepare dinner.

3. I swim every weekday at the gym. I like swimming.

4. I don’t like drawing because I’m no good at it.

5. I hate driving because I don’t like cars.

6. She enjoys painting. She is very artistic.

7. We go to the salsa club every Friday. We love dancing.

8. If she likes surfing, she should visit Cape Town - the waves are great!

9. They live near mountains. So they often go hiking.

10. I hate cleaning, but I like a clean house.

11. If you like reading, you should read the Harry Potter Series.

12. Amy is excited to go to the new shopping mall. She loves shopping.

ESL Pals 9 Grammar Worksheet

 QUESTION ROUND
Task: Answer the questions below, using the gerunds and infinitives in your answers.

● Although you could answer some with yes or no, try to expand on each answer.
● Study how gerunds and infinitives are used in each question.

1. Do you like going to the beach?

2. What is the next travel destination you’d like to go to?

3. Do you think that swimming is good exercise?

4. Who in your family likes cooking?

5. What is the next book that you would like to read?

6. Have you ever tried surfing?

7. Is hiking a popular hobby in your country?

8. Do you think sleeping eight hours a night is necessary?

9. How often do you go shopping for clothes? Do you like it?

10. Are you afraid of flying in an aeroplane?

11. Have you ever considered moving to a different city or country?

12. What activities or hobbies do you enjoy doing in your free time?

13. What do you usually feel like eating when you're in a good mood?

14. What do you plan on achieving in the next five years of your life?

15. What's something you've always wanted to learn or master?

ESL Pals 10 Grammar Worksheet