In English grammar, choosing between using a verb with -ing (e.g., “running”) or the infinitive (e.g., “to run”) can sometimes be confusing. Both forms are correct in different contexts, but their usage depends on the verb that precedes them and the meaning you want to convey.
Understanding when to use -ing or the infinitive is essential for crafting clear and natural sentences. This guide will walk you through simple rules and examples to help you confidently decide which form to use in various situations.
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone looking to improve their English grammar, this test will help you master this essential part of English communication.
Infinitive or ing form rules
In English, some verbs are followed by the -ing form (e.g., “playing”), while others take the infinitive (e.g., “to play”). The choice depends on the meaning and the verb in the sentence. Here are the basic rules to help you decide:
- Verbs Followed by the ING Form: Use the -ing form after verbs that express likes, dislikes, or activities, such as enjoy, hate, avoid, and consider.
- Example: She enjoys reading books.
- Verbs Followed by the Infinitive: Use the infinitive after verbs that indicate decisions, intentions, or plans, like decide, want, hope, and promise.
- Example: He decided to take a break.
- Verbs That Can Take Both Forms: Some verbs, such as begin, like, and start, can be followed by either form without much change in meaning.
- Example: They started running. / They started to run.
- Change in Meaning: For some verbs, like stop and remember, the choice of form changes the meaning of the sentence.
- Example: He stopped smoking. (He quit the habit.)
- Example: He stopped smoking. (He paused to smoke.)
Ing or infinitive test
Let’s start the quiz about ing or infinitive test and rate your grammar skills.
Read and practice another test: Gerund And Participle Practice Quiz
Gerunds and Infinitive Practice test
Gerund and gerund phrases quiz
Conditionals Quiz with Answers
Examples and exercise quiz on Ing or infinitive test
1. I might want ________ some money soon.
a) to borrow
b) borrowing
c) to borrow/borrowing
2. We can’t afford ________ a vacation this summer.
a) to take/taking
b) taking
c) to take
3. Would you mind ________ a window?
a) to open
b) opening
c) to open/opening
4. He cannot leave the table without ________ her dinner.
a) to finish
b) finishing
c) to finish/finishing
5. My little brother dislikes ________ his hair brushed.
a) to have
b) having
c) to have/having
6. Which of the following sentences is correct?
A. She avoids to go to crowded places.
B. She avoids going to crowded places.
C. She avoids go to crowded places.
7. Choose the correct sentence:
A. He decided leaving early.
B. He decided to leave early.
C. He decided leave early.
8. Which sentence shows the correct usage of “stop”?
A. He stopped to eat dinner.
B. He stopped eating dinner.
C. Both A and B.
9. What is the correct form of the verb in this sentence? They plan _____ a new house soon.
A. buying
B. to buy
C. buy
10. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence: I enjoy _____ music in my free time.
A. listen
B. to listen
C. listening
11. Which sentence correctly uses “remember”?
A. She remembered to lock the door.
B. She remembered locking the door.
C. Both A and B.
12. Select the correct sentence:
A. He promised helping me with the project.
B. He promised to help me with the project.
C. He promised help me with the project.
13. What is the correct verb form? They suggested _____ the problem before taking further action.
A. discuss
B. to discuss
C. discussing
14. Choose the correct sentence:
A. We avoided to speak during the meeting.
B. We avoided speaking during the meeting.
C. We avoided to speaking during the meeting.
15. Fill in the blank: He prefers _____ tea instead of coffee.
A. drinking
B. to drinking
C. drink
Answers and Explanations of infinitives or ing
- Correct Answer: a) to borrow
Explanation: The verb “want” is always followed by the infinitive form of the verb, so “to borrow” is correct.
2. Correct Answer: c) to take
Explanation: The verb “afford” is followed by the infinitive, so “to take” is the correct choice.
3. Correct Answer: b) opening
Explanation: The phrase “Would you mind” is always followed by the -ing form of the verb, making “opening” correct.
4. Correct Answer: b) finishing
Explanation: The preposition “without” is always followed by the -ing form of the verb, so “finishing” is correct.
5. Correct Answer: b) having
Explanation: After verbs like “dislike,” the -ing form of the verb is used, so “having” is the correct answer.
6. Correct Answer: B
Explanation: After “avoid,” we use the -ing form of the verb.
7. Correct Answer: B
Explanation: After verbs like “decide,” the infinitive form is used.
8. Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Both sentences are correct, but they have different meanings:
- He stopped to eat dinner means he paused another activity to eat dinner.
- He stopped eating dinner means he quit the habit of eating dinner.
9. Correct Answer: B
Explanation: “Plan” is followed by the infinitive form.
10. Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Verbs like “enjoy” are followed by the -ing form of the verb.
11. Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Both are correct but convey different meanings:
- She remembered to lock the door means she did not forget to lock it.
- She remembered locking the door means she recalls the action of locking it.
12. Correct Answer: B
Explanation: “Promise” is followed by the infinitive form.
13. Correct Answer: C
Explanation: After “suggest,” the -ing form is used.
14. Correct Answer: B
Explanation: “Avoid” is always followed by the -ing form.
15. Correct Answer: A
Explanation: After “prefer,” both the -ing form and infinitive can be correct, but “drinking” is more natural in this context.
FAQ’s on infinitive and ing form
How about ING or Infinitive?
How do I decide whether to use the ING form or the infinitive?
The choice between the ING form and the infinitive depends on the verb that comes before it and the intended meaning. Some verbs always take the ING form (e.g., enjoy, avoid), while others take the infinitive (e.g., decide, want). Some verbs can take both forms but with different meanings (e.g., stop to eat vs. stop eating).
Can the same verb take both ING and infinitive forms?
Yes, some verbs like start, like, and begin can take both forms without much change in meaning. For example:
- She started running.
- She started to run.
However, for verbs like remember or stop, the choice changes the meaning. For example:
- He remembered to call her. (He didn’t forget to call.)
- He remembered calling her. (He recalls the act of calling.)
Is there a rule for when to use the ING form?
Verbs that describe general activities, preferences, or emotions (e.g., enjoy, dislike, consider) are usually followed by the ING form. For example:
- I enjoy swimming.
- He avoided talking to her.
When should I use the infinitive instead of the ING form?
The infinitive is commonly used after verbs that express intentions, plans, or decisions (e.g., decide, plan, hope). For example:
- They decided to leave early.
- She hopes to travel next year.
What’s the difference between “prefer to do” and “prefer doing”?
Both are correct, but the meaning or usage can vary slightly:
- Prefer to do often refers to a specific instance or situation.
- Example: I prefer to walk when the weather is nice.
- Prefer doing refers to a general preference.
- Example: I prefer walking to driving.