YouSpeak PLUS

Gerunds & Infinitives

Mastering the Basics & Beyond

When learning English, many students struggle with the difference between gerunds (verbs ending in -ing that function as nouns) and infinitives (the to + base verb form). While some verbs work with only one or the other, many can take both, sometimes with a change in meaning—which is where things get interesting!

For example, consider these two sentences:

  • I like going to the beach. (General meaning: I enjoy it.)
  • I like to go to the beach. (Specific meaning: I choose to / prefer to go.)

🔹 Challenge: Can you think of other verbs where switching between gerund and infinitive changes the meaning?

This collection of lessons starts with the basics in Module 1, helping learners master when to use gerunds and infinitives correctly. As we progress, we’ll tackle more advanced topics, including:
âś… Tricky verbs like try, stop, remember, and forget (which can take both forms with different meanings!).
âś… Perfect gerunds (Having finished my work, I went out.) and passive infinitives (I expect to be invited to the event.) and more.

By the end of this series, you’ll not only know the rules but also understand the nuances, helping you use gerunds and infinitives naturally and effectively in conversation and writing.

Let’s dive in! 🚀