Gerund or Infinitive - B1+ Grammar Rules and Exercises

Exercises

Explanation

Below are common verbs that change meaning with gerund or infinitive.

1. Forget + gerund / infinitive

forget + to + infinitive

= forget to do something; forget a responsibility or task

Examples:

I forgot to lock the door this morning.
Don’t forget to send the email later.

forget + gerund

= forget something that happened in the past; lose a memory

Examples:

I’ll never forget meeting my favourite actor.
She forgot visiting that museum years ago.

2. Remember + gerund / infinitive

remember + to + infinitive

= remember a responsibility; not forget to do something

Examples:

Remember to charge your phone before the trip.
Did you remember to close the windows?

remember + gerund

= remember an event from the past

Examples:

I remember playing outside all summer as a child.
He remembers travelling to Italy with his family.

3. Mean + gerund / infinitive

mean + to + infinitive

= intend or plan to do something

Examples:

I meant to call you yesterday, but I got busy.
She means to start exercising more regularly.

mean + gerund

= involve or result in something

Examples:

Getting a promotion will mean working more weekends.
Changing the schedule would mean cancelling the meeting.

4. Regret + gerund / infinitive

regret + to + infinitive

= used to give bad news, often in formal situations

Examples:

We regret to announce that the flight has been cancelled.
The company regrets to inform you that your application was not successful.

regret + gerund

= feel sorry about something you did in the past

Examples:

I regret spending so much money last month.
She regrets telling him the secret.

5. Try + gerund / infinitive

try + to + infinitive

= make an effort to do something difficult

Examples:

He tried to solve the problem, but he couldn’t.
I’m trying to learn how to cook healthy meals.

try + gerund

= experiment with something to see what happens

Examples:

Try adding more spices to improve the flavour.
She tried turning her phone off and on again.

6. Stop + gerund / infinitive

stop + to + infinitive

= stop one action in order to do another

Examples:

We stopped to take some photos of the view.
He stopped to check the map.

stop + gerund

= quit or end a habit or activity

Examples:

You should stop eating so much sugar.
She stopped watching TV late at night.

Quick Summary Table

Verb	+ infinitive (to do)	Meaning	+ gerund (doing)	Meaning
forget	forget to do	forget a task	forget doing	forget a memory
remember	remember to do	not forget a responsibility	remember doing	remember a past event
mean	mean to do	plan, intend	mean doing	involve, result in
regret	regret to do	give bad news	regret doing	be sorry about past action
try	try to do	attempt something difficult	try doing	experiment
stop	stop to do	stop for another purpose	stop doing	quit a habit