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Gerunds & Infinitives after Verbs in English: The Complete IELTS Band 6 Guide
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July 20, 2025
IELTS Grammar:
Gerunds & Infinitives after Verbs
Band 6 Essentials for Speaking & Writing
Why Gerunds & Infinitives Matter in IELTS:
Choosing between a gerund (the -ing form: reading) and an infinitive (to + base verb: to read) after verbs is one of the most common grammar challenges for English learners. At IELTS Band 6, mastering this shows accuracy and natural, idiomatic English. Using the wrong form (e.g. I enjoy to read or I want reading) is a Band 5 error and will limit your score. This guide helps you get it right, every time!
Choosing between a gerund (the -ing form: reading) and an infinitive (to + base verb: to read) after verbs is one of the most common grammar challenges for English learners. At IELTS Band 6, mastering this shows accuracy and natural, idiomatic English. Using the wrong form (e.g. I enjoy to read or I want reading) is a Band 5 error and will limit your score. This guide helps you get it right, every time!
What Are Gerunds and Infinitives?
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Gerund: The –ing form of a verb used as a noun.
Example: "Swimming is good for you."
Example: "Swimming is good for you."
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Infinitive: The base form of a verb with “to”.
Example: "I want to swim."
Example: "I want to swim."
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Why This Matters for Band 6: In both Speaking and Writing, you need to talk about hobbies, plans, regrets, experiences, and decisions. Using the correct form not only shows grammar control but boosts your band for accuracy and fluency.
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Key IELTS Tasks:
- Talking about hobbies (“I enjoy cooking.”)
- Plans and decisions (“I plan to travel.”)
- Giving reasons & opinions (“I prefer to study at home because…”)
- Describing experiences (“I decided to start learning French.”)
- Making arguments or advice (“You need to exercise regularly.”)
Typical Band 5 Error: ❌ I enjoy to read.
Band 6 & Above: ✅ I enjoy reading.
Pro Tip: Use the correct verb pattern and you instantly sound more advanced!
Band 6 & Above: ✅ I enjoy reading.
Pro Tip: Use the correct verb pattern and you instantly sound more advanced!
Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Form
Select the correct form (gerund or infinitive) for each gap. When you finish, click Check Answers for feedback and detailed explanations!
Tutorial 2: The Basic Rules of Gerunds & Infinitives
Not all verbs work the same! Some must be followed by a gerund (verb + -ing), some by an infinitive (to + verb), and some allow both—with a possible change in meaning. Here’s how you get them right for IELTS Band 6.
🎨Common Verbs Followed by Gerunds (–ing)
These verbs must be followed by the gerund form. Using the infinitive is incorrect!
enjoy, avoid, consider, admit, suggest, recommend, finish, stop
Correct: I enjoy reading.
Incorrect: I enjoy to read.
Incorrect: I enjoy to read.
🚀Common Verbs Followed by Infinitives (to + verb)
These verbs are always followed by to + base verb.
want, need, decide, hope, plan, refuse, agree, promise
Correct: She wants to learn.
Incorrect: She wants learning.
Incorrect: She wants learning.
⚖️Verbs Followed by Both (Gerund or Infinitive)
Some verbs can take both forms—with similar or different meanings! (Details and exceptions in the next tutorial.)
start, begin, continue, like, love, hate, prefer
Both: I like eating. / I like to eat.
🔄Special Cases: Verbs with Change in Meaning
Some verbs change their meaning depending on whether a gerund or infinitive follows. The most important are: remember, forget, stop, try.
(See the next tutorial for detailed explanation!)
Example: Try to open the door. (make an effort)
Example: Try opening the window. (experiment/see if it helps)
Example: Try opening the window. (experiment/see if it helps)
📍Always Use Gerund After Prepositions
After any preposition (in, on, about, for, to, at), the verb must be in the gerund form:
She’s interested in learning English.
He’s good at singing.
He’s good at singing.
Exercise 2: Correct the Mistakes
Each sentence contains a gerund or infinitive error. Rewrite the sentence correctly in the input box.
Tip: Pay attention to the rules and patterns from the last tutorial. When you finish, click Check Answers for instant feedback and full explanations!
Tip: Pay attention to the rules and patterns from the last tutorial. When you finish, click Check Answers for instant feedback and full explanations!
Tutorial 3: Special Cases – When Gerund & Infinitive Change Meaning
Some verbs change their meaning depending on whether you use a gerund or an infinitive after them. Mastering these high-frequency cases is essential for Band 6+ and will make your English much more accurate and sophisticated!
💡Remember
Remember + gerund: You recall a past action.
Remember + to + infinitive: You do not forget to do something in the future.
Remember + to + infinitive: You do not forget to do something in the future.
I remember locking the door. (I have a memory of doing it.)
Remember to lock the door. (Don’t forget this future action!)
Remember to lock the door. (Don’t forget this future action!)
Tip: For IELTS stories about experiences, use the gerund. For instructions/advice, use the infinitive!
🧠Forget
Forget + gerund: You don’t remember a past event.
Forget + to + infinitive: You forget to do something necessary.
Forget + to + infinitive: You forget to do something necessary.
I’ll never forget meeting you. (A memory from the past.)
Don’t forget to meet me at 5. (Obligation for the future.)
Don’t forget to meet me at 5. (Obligation for the future.)
Band 6 Warning: “Forget meeting you” ≠ “Forget to meet you”. Be careful!
⛔Stop
Stop + gerund: You quit an action.
Stop + to + infinitive: You pause one action to do another.
Stop + to + infinitive: You pause one action to do another.
He stopped smoking. (He quit the habit!)
He stopped to smoke. (He paused something else in order to smoke.)
He stopped to smoke. (He paused something else in order to smoke.)
IELTS Tip: “Stop + gerund” is common when describing lifestyle changes or giving advice.
🧪Try
Try + gerund: Experiment with something to see if it helps.
Try + to + infinitive: Make an effort to do something difficult.
Try + to + infinitive: Make an effort to do something difficult.
Try opening the window. (See if it helps—experiment.)
Try to open the window. (Make an effort—maybe it’s hard!)
Try to open the window. (Make an effort—maybe it’s hard!)
Band 6+ Mastery: IELTS often tests these subtle differences, especially in story and problem-solution contexts!
😔Regret
Regret + gerund: You feel sorry about something you did.
Regret + to + infinitive: Often used to give bad news formally.
Regret + to + infinitive: Often used to give bad news formally.
I regret saying that. (Sorry for a past action.)
We regret to inform you that your flight is cancelled. (Formal announcement.)
We regret to inform you that your flight is cancelled. (Formal announcement.)
IELTS Academic: “Regret + to infinitive” is mostly found in formal letters/emails or official notices.
Exercise 3: Special Cases – Choose the Correct Option
For each sentence, choose the correct form (gerund or infinitive) for the verb in brackets.
Tip: Think about whether the meaning is about a past memory, an effort, a habit, or a formal announcement!
Tip: Think about whether the meaning is about a past memory, an effort, a habit, or a formal announcement!
Tutorial 4: Real IELTS Usage – Model Sentences & Paragraphs
See how gerunds and infinitives work in real IELTS Speaking and Writing answers. Study these models for your own high-scoring responses!
🎤IELTS Speaking Part 1: Hobbies
Use gerunds to talk about what you enjoy regularly:
“I enjoy reading detective novels in my free time. I started reading when I was a child, and now I try to read every day.”
📖IELTS Speaking Part 2: A Decision
Infinitives and gerunds for past experiences and decisions:
“A big decision I made was to study English at university. I decided to do this because I want to work abroad. I remember telling my parents about my decision, and they encouraged me to continue studying.”
💬IELTS Speaking Part 3: Opinions
Giving advice and reasons using gerunds and infinitives:
“I believe that children should be encouraged to learn musical instruments. Playing music helps develop creativity. I would recommend starting to learn at a young age.”
📝IELTS Writing Task 1: Advice
Using gerunds after prepositions and giving recommendations:
“To reduce stress, it is important to take regular breaks. I suggest doing some exercise during breaks, such as walking or stretching.”
💡IELTS Writing Task 2: Argument
Making arguments with gerunds and infinitives:
“Many people try to avoid using public transport because they prefer driving. However, I think it is better to use buses or trains. Governments should encourage people to use public transport by improving services.”
Exercise 4: Model Usage in IELTS Context
Choose the correct form (gerund or infinitive) for each gap, based on the real IELTS model sentences you studied.
Tip: Pay attention to meaning, grammar, and natural English!
Tip: Pay attention to meaning, grammar, and natural English!
Tutorial 5: Strategies, Tips & Practical Mastery
It’s time to turn theory into real exam skills! Use these strategies and practical tips to make gerunds and infinitives a strong point in both IELTS Speaking and Writing.
📋1. Build Useful Verb Lists
Keep a dedicated list of verbs and which form they take (gerund, infinitive, or both). Review this list regularly and add new verbs from your IELTS materials.
For example:
enjoy, avoid, recommend (gerund only) | want, decide, promise (infinitive only)
enjoy, avoid, recommend (gerund only) | want, decide, promise (infinitive only)
✏️2. Practice with Real IELTS Questions
Use authentic IELTS speaking and writing prompts. Challenge yourself to use both gerunds and infinitives as you describe hobbies, plans, experiences, and opinions.
Write about your day:
“Yesterday, I decided to visit a museum. I enjoyed seeing the art and stopped thinking about my exams for a while.”
“Yesterday, I decided to visit a museum. I enjoyed seeing the art and stopped thinking about my exams for a while.”
🔎3. Notice Patterns in Reading & Listening
When you read articles or listen to podcasts, pay attention to verb patterns with gerunds and infinitives. Mimic these patterns in your own speaking and writing for a more natural style.
Highlight sentences you find and add them to your notebook!
👀4. Double-Check Your Writing
When you finish your writing, review every sentence. Check if you used the right verb pattern. Ask yourself: “Should this be gerund or infinitive?” This habit alone can boost your band score!
“Small mistakes in verb patterns are the #1 reason Band 5 writers get penalized for grammar.”
🎯5. Use Model Answers for Practice
Find model IELTS answers and rewrite or adapt them, changing the verb or context. This helps reinforce the correct forms and gives you real confidence for test day.
Try this:
Model: “I recommend studying every day.”
Adapt: “My teacher suggested reading English news.”
Model: “I recommend studying every day.”
Adapt: “My teacher suggested reading English news.”
Exercise 5: Apply the Tips! Strategies in Action
Select the best answer for each question, based on the strategies and practical tips you just studied.
Tip: Imagine you’re writing your own IELTS answer—think accuracy, natural style, and exam context!
Tip: Imagine you’re writing your own IELTS answer—think accuracy, natural style, and exam context!
Tutorial 6: Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
Even advanced learners make small mistakes with gerunds and infinitives! Here are the most frequent Band 5 errors—and how to upgrade your answers for Band 6 and above.
❌Using the Wrong Form After “Enjoy”
✘ I enjoy to play football.
✔️ I enjoy playing football.
Tip: Enjoy is always followed by a gerund (–ing). Never use “to” after “enjoy”!
❌Using the Gerund After “Want” or “Decide”
✘ She wants going abroad.
✘ They decided starting a business.
✘ They decided starting a business.
✔️ She wants to go abroad.
✔️ They decided to start a business.
✔️ They decided to start a business.
Tip: Want, decide, plan, need, etc. take the infinitive (to + verb).
❌Wrong Form After Prepositions
✘ He’s interested to learn English.
✔️ He’s interested in learning English.
Tip: After any preposition, always use a gerund: “in learning”, “about traveling”, “for making”.
❌Mixing Up “Stop + Gerund” and “Stop + to Infinitive”
✘ He stopped to smoke because it was unhealthy.
✔️ He stopped smoking because it was unhealthy.
Tip: “Stop + gerund” = quit the habit. “Stop + to infinitive” = pause something else to do this action.
❌Using “To” After “Suggest”, “Recommend”, “Avoid”, etc.
✘ I suggest to take a break.
✘ She avoided to answer the question.
✘ She avoided to answer the question.
✔️ I suggest taking a break.
✔️ She avoided answering the question.
✔️ She avoided answering the question.
Tip: These verbs always need a gerund—not an infinitive!
Exercise 6: Find & Fix the Mistakes!
Each sentence has a mistake with a gerund or infinitive. Rewrite it correctly in the box.
Tip: Think about the patterns from all the tutorials!
Tip: Think about the patterns from all the tutorials!
Final Quiz: Gerunds & Infinitives Mastery
Test your skills! Each time, you’ll get 10 random questions from our 30-question pool. Review your answers, read the feedback, and retake for a new set!
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