Gerund or Infinitive - B1+ Grammar Rules and Exercises

Exercises

Explanation

Below are some of the most common verbs that change their meaning depending on whether they are followed by a gerund or an infinitive.

1. Forget + gerund / infinitive

forget + to + infinitive

This means fail to do something you needed to do. The focus is on a task or responsibility that you didn’t complete.

Examples:

I forgot to turn off the lights before leaving.
Please don’t forget to bring your passport tomorrow.

forget + gerund

This means forget a past experience. We use it when we cannot remember or when we talk about a memory that stays with us.

Examples:

I’ll never forget seeing the Northern Lights for the first time.
She forgot meeting him years ago at a conference.

2. Remember + gerund / infinitive

remember + to + infinitive

This refers to remembering to do something in the present or future. It shows that you didn't forget your responsibility.

Examples:

Remember to check the timetable before you leave.
Did you remember to bring the presentation file?

remember + gerund

This refers to remembering past experiences or events.

Examples:

I remember studying this topic at university.
He remembers visiting that old castle as a child.

3. Mean + gerund / infinitive

mean + to + infinitive

This shows intention or plan.

Examples:

I meant to email you earlier, but my internet wasn’t working.
She means to join a photography course next month.

mean + gerund

This expresses that something will cause or involve another action.

Examples:

Accepting the offer will mean moving to another city.
Reducing the budget would mean cancelling the project entirely.

4. Regret + gerund / infinitive

regret + to + infinitive

Used mainly in formal situations to give bad or unpleasant news.

Examples:

We regret to inform you that your appointment has been postponed.
The school regrets to announce that the event has been cancelled.

regret + gerund

This expresses personal regret about something in the past.

Examples:

I regret wasting so much time last year.
She regrets telling everyone about the surprise.

5. Try + gerund / infinitive

try + to + infinitive

Means to make an effort to do something difficult or important.

Examples:

He tried to lift the box, but it was too heavy.
I’m trying to improve my writing skills.

try + gerund

Means to experiment or test a possible solution.

Examples:

Try adding lemon to the tea; it tastes better.
She tried restarting the laptop, but it still didn’t work.

6. Stop + gerund / infinitive

stop + to + infinitive

Means to pause what you are doing in order to do something else.

Examples:

We stopped to admire the sunset.
He stopped to tie his shoelaces.

stop + gerund

Means to quit or give up a habit or action.

Examples:

You should stop drinking so much coffee.
She stopped checking her phone during meals.

Quick Comparison Table

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