Gerunds and toinfinitives

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Gerunds and to-infinitives
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• When do we use gerunds and to-infinitives?

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• Verbs are often followed by gerunds or
  to-infinitives.

• some verbs can be followed only by a gerund

Ill go out after I finish typing this letter of
application.

• some verbs can be followed only by a to-infinitive

My brother wants to become a vet when he grows up.

• some verbs can be followed by either

I prefer working / to work in a smaller company.
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Below is a list of verbs that are followed by
either gerunds or to-infinitives, or both.
Verbs that are followed by gerunds
Verbs that are followed by either gerunds or
to-infinitives
Verbs that are followed by to-infinitives
keep mind practise suggest
agree choose decide hope
learn plan promise want
begin continue hate like
love prefer start try
avoid dislike enjoy finish
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• A more complete list of verbs that are followed
  by either gerunds or to-infinitives, or both

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Verbs that are followed by gerunds
Verbs that are followed by either gerunds or
to-infinitives
Verbs that are followed by to-infinitives
keep mind miss practise suggest
agree choose decide hope learn offer plan prepare
pretend promise refuse seem volunteer want wish
begin continue forget hate like love
need prefer remember start stop try
avoid consider dislike enjoy finish
Some verbs change their meaning if they are
followed by a gerund or a to-infinitive. Its
good to check the meaning in a dictionary.
Note
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Practice
Complete the news report with the correct gerunds
and/or to-infinitives.
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New airline only wants highfliers Diamond Airways
has announced unusually demanding requirements
for its future flight attendants. By doing so, it
has continued the airline industry.
Earlier, it had decided only business-class
and first-class seats. Now the airline only wants
job applicants who are fluent in at
least five languages, including English and
Putonghua. They must also promise
smoking and have finished at
university.
surprising / to surprise
to offer
to consider
to avoid
studying
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CEO Mickey Cheung said that Diamond Airways hoped
the worlds best airline. So, it naturally
preferred only the best flight
attendants. The plan has started . The
airline has had so many suitable applicants that
it plans accepting applications this week.
to become
employing / to employ
working / to work
to stop
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• The end