Infinitives and gerunds

A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing." Infinitives are the "to" form of the verb. It can be tricky to remember which verbs are followed by the infinitive (the to form) of the verb and which are followed by the gerund (the ing form) of the verb.

You can practive with this.

Try to remember that:

Gerunds are often used when actions are real, fixed, or completed. "I enjoy cooking."

Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future: "He wants to swim."

Another example:

Five hundreds years ago it was impossible to travel long distances quickly.

We grow vegetables in our garden to eat. 

You can practice here.

Another example: 

You can use this cloth to clean the car.

You can use this cloth to clean the car

Let’s review and read to check the ideas but it’s not necessary that you study the rules. Just see a lot of examples better.

Gerund = the present participle (-ing) form of the verb, e.g., singing, dancing, running.

Infinitive = to + the base form of the verb, e.g., to sing, to dance, to run.

Whether you use a gerund or an infinitive depends on the main verb in the sentence.

I expect to have the results of the operation soon. (Infinitive)

I anticipate having the research completed eventually. (Gerund)

Solutions to the exercise.