Gerunds, infinitives and verb constructions in English - TOEIC® preparation
In English, some verbs are systematically followed by a verb ending in -ing (the so-called gerund), while others are systematically followed by a verb in infinitive.
In this course, you'll learn how to master this English language subtlety. Knowing these lists and nuances is ultra-important for the TOEIC®, as you'll find plenty of questions on the subject (especially in the reading section).
1. Gerund
To put it simply, a gerund is a verb ending in "-ing". It can be used as the subject of a sentence, after a preposition or after a preference verb. Here are the different possible cases:
- CASE 1 - Gerund used as the subject of a sentence:
- "Reading is fun."
- CASE 2 - Gerund used after a preposition:
- "She is interested in learning new languages."
- CASE 3 - Gerund used after a preference verb:
- "He enjoys playing tennis."
- CASE 4 - Some verbs are always followed by a gerund, you have to learn them by heart ... (see list below).
CASE 2 - Gerund used after a preposition
When a preposition is followed by a verb, that verb is always in the gerund form. This easy-to-remember rule will help you score many points on the TOEIC®!
Examples of prepositions followed by a gerund
| Preposition | Examples |
|---|---|
| About | • He is thinking about improving his TOEIC® score. • They talked about practicing listening skills for the TOEIC®. |
| After | • She felt more confident after completing several TOEIC® practice tests. • After studying the TOEIC® vocabulary, he found the test easier. |
| Before | • Before starting the TOEIC® test, make sure to read the instructions carefully. • She always reviews grammar rules before taking a practice exam. |
| By | • You can achieve a higher TOEIC® score by practicing every day. • They improved their reading skills by studying TOEIC® reading passages. |
| In | • He is interested in learning strategies to excel in the TOEIC®. • There is no point in worrying too much before the TOEIC® test. |
| On | • She insists on taking timed practice tests to simulate real exam conditions. • They plan on reviewing their answers after each practice session. |
| Without | • He managed to finish the practice test without making many mistakes. • She completed the listening section without pausing the audio. |
| For | • Thank you for helping me understand the TOEIC® structure. • They are known for providing excellent TOEIC® preparation materials. |
| Of | • He is capable of achieving a high score on the TOEIC®. • She is afraid of failing the TOEIC®, but continues to prepare diligently. |
Here is a list of expressions (which must be followed by a verb in the gerund form) that you can find in the TOEIC®:
- look forward to
- carry one
- think about
- succeed in
- dream of
- apologize for
CASE 3 - Gerund used after a preference verb
A preference verb is a verb that expresses a taste, a preference, an opinion, or a wish. In English, these verbs are often used to talk about what we like, what we don't like, what we prefer, or what we would like to do.
Preference verbs are almost always followed by a verb in the gerund form.
All the verbs in the list below followed by an * are common preference verbs, but there are others:
- love
- hate
- adore
- prefer
- fancy
Exemples:
- « She fancies playing football. »
- « He hates waiting. »
CASE 4: List of verbs followed by a gerund (to be memorized)
| Verb + gerund |
|---|
| avoid |
| be worth |
| can’t face |
| can’t help |
| can’t stand |
| carry on |
| consider |
| delay |
| deny |
| dislike* |
| enjoy* |
| feel like* |
| finish |
| give up |
| imagine |
| involve |
| justify |
| like* |
| look forward to |
| mind* |
| miss |
| postpone |
| practice |
| spend time |
| suggest |
| risk |
2. Infinitive:
The infinitive is the base form of the verb preceded by "to". It can be used as a subject, complement, or to express a purpose.
Example:
- Used as a subject: « To read is important »
- Used as a complement: « I want to read »
- Used to express a purpose: « I want to read a book »
Some verbs are always followed by an infinitive (see the list below).
List of verbs followed by an infinitive (to be memorized)
| Verb + infinitive |
|---|
| afford |
| agree |
| arrange |
| attempt |
| can’t wait |
| claim |
| dare |
| decide |
| demand |
| deserve |
| expect |
| fail |
| guarantee |
| hesitate |
| hope |
| learn |
| manage |
| mean |
| neglect |
| offer |
| plan |
| prepare |
| pretend |
| promise |
| refuse |
| seem |
| tend |
| threaten |
| train |
| want, would like |
| wish |
Exemples:
- « I am training to run a marathon. »
- « I am learning to swim with my dad. »
Conclusion
Even if it may seem complicated to learn these lists by heart, they are widely used in the TOEIC®. So if you know them, you can easily gain TOEIC® points!
We know that it can be hard to memorize all this, which is why we are working on games to help you memorize these lists. If you want to try these games, click the button to join the platform below!
In the meantime, for more information on the infinitive and the gerund, feel free to check out these other articles that deal with exceptions: