Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Gerunds (-ing) and Infinitives (to) turn verbs into nouns, but their usage depends entirely on the preceding verb or preposition.
- Use gerunds after prepositions and certain verbs like 'suggest' or 'enjoy'. Example: 'He suggested going.'
- Use infinitives after adjectives and verbs like 'decide' or 'hope'. Example: 'I decided to stay.'
- Some verbs change meaning entirely depending on which form follows. Example: 'Stop to smoke' vs 'Stop smoking'.
Overview
-ing）与不定式（Infinitives, to do）的辨析，正是区分“英语学习者”与“高水平使用者”的分水岭。这不仅仅是简单的语法规则，更涉及到语义的细微差别、语体的正式程度，以及对英语思维的深度理解。- 动名词 (Gerund)：本质上更偏向名词。它通常代表一个已知的、通用的概念、习惯或已经发生的动作。在心理表征上，它像是一张“照片”，定格了一个动作的整体。例如：
Swimming is great.（游泳这项运动很棒）。 - 不定式 (Infinitive)：本质上更偏向动作的潜能。它通常带有目的性、未来感或特定的一次性行为。在心理表征上，它像是一个“箭头”，指向尚未发生或正要发生的动作。例如：
To swim across this river is my goal.（游过这条河是我的目标）。
-ing？因为这些动词（如 avoid, finish, enjoy）通常指向的是已经存在或正在进行的体验；而另一些动词（如 hope, decide, plan）指向的是未来，所以自然地与带有“方向感”的 to 结合在一起。Base + -ing | 1. 以重读闭音节结尾且末尾只有一个辅音字母时，双写末尾字母，如 running。2. 以 ie 结尾的词变 ie 为 y 再加 -ing，如 dying。3. 去掉结尾不发音的 e，如 making。 |to + Base | to 在这里是符号，不是介词。词形永远保持原形，不受主语人称影响。 |Base (不带 to) | 主要用于情态动词（can, should）之后，以及特定的使役动词（make, let）和感官动词之后。 |- 完成式：
Having finished the project, he felt relieved.(动名词完成式，强调动作发生在谓语之前) - 被动式：
I don't like being told what to do.(动名词被动式) - 不定式完成式：
I hoped to have seen her.(表示过去本想做但未实现的事情)
- 作为句子的主语：这是最地道的表达方式。虽然不定式也可以做主语，但那通常显得过于正式或具有文学色彩（如
To be or not to be）。在日常专业交流中，我们更倾向于用动名词。 Commuting by subway in Shanghai is efficient but exhausting.(在上海挤地铁通勤很高效但也累人)- 紧跟介词之后：这是一个铁律。无论这个介词是单独存在的，还是属于短语动词的一部分。
He is famous for solving complex coding issues.I'm looking forward to meeting you.(这里的to是介词，后面必须接-ing，这是中国学生最常掉进去的坑！)- 特定的动词后：这些动词通常涉及“习惯、逃避、完成或心理状态”。
Consider,Suggest,Avoid,Postpone,Risk,Admit,Enjoy。I suggest taking the high-speed train to Beijing.(注意：不能说suggest to take)。- 固定短语中：
It's no use crying...(哭也没用)Be worth doing(值得做)Can't help doing(情不自禁做)
- 表示目的：相当于
in order to。 I stayed up late to prepare for the Taobao Double 11 promotion.(为了准备双11大促，我熬夜了)- 紧跟形容词之后：表达情感、评价或状态。
It's important to maintain a good relationship with your mentors.I'm happy to assist you with your application.- 特定的动词后：这些动词通常涉及“意图、希望、计划或承诺”。
Decide,Hope,Plan,Refuse,Manage,Fail,Agree。They refused to cooperate with the competitors.- 在疑问词（What, How, Where 等）之后：
I don't know what to order for lunch; maybe some milk tea?(我不知道午饭点什么)
Advise someone to do/Encourage someone to do/Allow someone to do。- 使役动词（Bare Infinitive）：
Make,Let,Have后面不带to。 My boss made me redo the entire presentation.(老板让我重做整个 PPT)
to 与不定式符号 to 混淆- 典型错误：
I am used to get up early.(❌) - 解析：
be used to（习惯于）中的to是介词，后面必须接名词或动名词。这就像中文里“习惯于[某事]”，这个“某事”得是个名词性质的东西。 - 正确表达：
I am used to getting up early.(✅) - 同类陷阱：
Look forward to,Object to,In addition to,When it comes to。
Suggest / Recommend 的用法误区- 典型错误：
My teacher suggested me to study harder.(❌) - 解析：受
Tell someone to do或Ask someone to do的影响，中国学生极易套用这个结构。但在英语中，suggest后面不能直接跟sb to do。 - 正确表达：
My teacher suggested studying harder.或My teacher suggested that I (should) study harder.(✅)
- 典型错误：
Learn English is very important.(❌) - 解析：中文里“学英语很重要”中，“学”不需要变形。但英语句子的主语必须由名词性成分充当。动词原形不能直接做主语。
- 正确表达：
Learning English is very important.(✅)
-ing 又能接 to do 但意思完全不同”的动词。请看下表对比：-ing (动名词) | 接 to do (不定式) |I remember locking the door. (我记得锁过门了) | 记得要做某事（向前看/提醒）Remember to lock the door. (记得去锁门) |I'll never forget meeting you. (我永远不会忘记与你相遇的那一刻) | 忘记要做某事Don't forget to buy milk. (别忘了买牛奶) |Stop talking! (别说话了) | 停下手中的事去开始另一件事He stopped to smoke. (他停下来去抽根烟) |Try adding some salt. (试试加点盐，看好不好吃) | 努力、尽力做一件困难的事I tried to move the piano. (我试着搬钢琴，但太重了) |I regret telling him the truth. (我后悔告诉他真相了) | 遗憾地（通知/说）（常用于正式通知）We regret to inform you that... (我们很遗憾地通知您...) |See / Hear / Watch someone...- 接 doing：强调动作正在进行，你看到了片段。
I saw him crossing the street.(我看到他正在过马路) - 接 do (Bare Infinitive)：强调动作的全过程，你看到了完整事件。
I saw him cross the street.(我看到他走过了马路)
I like swimming 和 I like to swim 好像可以通用？like, love, hate, prefer 等表示喜好的词，两者确实经常互换。但细究起来，swimming 侧重于“享受这项活动的过程”，而 to swim 侧重于“在特定时间或情况下的选择或习惯”。但在大多数考试和日常交流中，两者皆可。-ing 是“既成事实或体验”，to do 是“未来目标或倾向”。如果你想表达的是逃避、完成、建议（这些都基于已经存在或构思好的概念），选 -ing；如果你想表达的是计划、希望、承诺（这些都指向未来），选 to do。Go on doing 和 Go on to do 有什么区别？Go on doing 是“继续做同一件事”，比如你一直在刷淘宝，没停。Go on to do 是“接着做另一件事”，比如你开完会，接着去写报告。这个在描述工作流程时非常重要。Implementing this policy will...），在表达目的或意图时使用不定式。灵活切换这两种形式，能让你的文章读起来更有节奏感，而不是像初学者那样只会用简单的 SVO 结构。Gerund vs. Infinitive Structures
| Form | Gerund (-ing) | Infinitive (to + V) |
|---|---|---|
|
Simple
|
Doing
|
To do
|
|
Negative
|
Not doing
|
Not to do
|
|
Passive
|
Being done
|
To be done
|
|
Perfect
|
Having done
|
To have done
|
|
Perfect Passive
|
Having been done
|
To have been done
|
|
Continuous
|
N/A
|
To be doing
|
Meanings
The use of gerunds (the -ing form) and infinitives (to + base form) as objects or subjects in a sentence to represent an action as a concept or thing.
Gerund as Subject/Object
Using the -ing form to talk about an activity in general.
“Skiing is my favorite winter sport.”
“I really enjoy hiking in the mountains.”
Infinitive of Purpose
Using 'to + verb' to explain why someone does something.
“I went to the store to buy milk.”
“She studied hard to pass the exam.”
Meaning-Change Verbs
Verbs like 'remember', 'forget', and 'stop' that change meaning based on the complement.
“I stopped to smoke (I paused my walk to have a cigarette).”
“I stopped smoking (I quit the habit).”
Gerunds after Prepositions
English strictly requires the -ing form after any preposition.
“I am interested in learning more.”
“She is good at drawing.”
Reference Table
| 使用语境 | 形式 | 示例动词 | 例句 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
句子主语
|
动名词
|
Swimming
|
Swimming is great exercise.
|
|
介词之后
|
动名词
|
of learning
|
She dreams of learning German.
|
|
特定动词后
|
动名词
|
enjoy watching
|
I enjoy watching documentaries.
|
|
特定动词后
|
不定式
|
decide to go
|
They decided to go home.
|
|
动词 + 宾语 + 不定式
|
不定式
|
told him to wait
|
I told him to wait for me.
|
|
形容词 + 不定式
|
不定式
|
easy to understand
|
This rule is easy to understand.
|
|
意义改变 (stop)
|
动名词
|
stop eating
|
You should stop eating sugar.
|
|
意义改变 (stop)
|
不定式
|
stop to eat
|
We stopped to eat lunch.
|
|
意义改变 (try)
|
动名词
|
try calling
|
Try calling her number again.
|
|
意义改变 (try)
|
不定式
|
try to call
|
I will try to call her later.
|
正式程度
I would suggest implementing a new strategy. (Business meeting)
I suggest trying a new strategy. (Business meeting)
How about trying something else? (Business meeting)
Let's just wing it. (Business meeting)
动名词与不定式：动词变形记
动名词 (-ing)
- 主语 Reading is fun.
- 介词后 Good at drawing.
- 动词后 Enjoy playing.
不定式 (to + 动词)
- 宾语 Decide to go.
- 形容词后 Easy to learn.
- 目的 Stopped to eat.
两者皆可 (意义改变)
- Stop Stop smoking / Stop to smoke.
- Remember Remember locking / Remember to lock.
动名词 vs 不定式：快速指南
选择动名词还是不定式：决策流程
动词前是否有介词（如 in, on, about, for, without）？
该动词是句子的主语吗？
主动词通常接不定式吗（如 want, need, decide, hope）？
主动词通常接动名词吗（如 enjoy, finish, avoid, suggest）？
该动词在不同形式下意义会改变吗（如 stop, remember, try）？
常见动词分组
动词 + 动名词
- • Enjoy
- • Finish
- • Avoid
- • Mind
- • Suggest
- • Consider
- • Deny
- • Admit
动词 + 不定式
- • Decide
- • Agree
- • Hope
- • Plan
- • Promise
- • Want
- • Learn
- • Refuse
动词 + 宾语 + 不定式
- • Ask
- • Tell
- • Advise
- • Allow
- • Force
- • Remind
- • Encourage
- • Persuade
两者皆可 (意义相同)
- • Start
- • Begin
- • Continue
- • Like
- • Love
- • Hate
- • Prefer
两者皆可 (意义不同)
- • Stop
- • Remember
- • Forget
- • Try
- • Regret
- • Need
按水平分级的例句
I like reading books.
I want to go home.
Swimming is fun.
He needs to sleep.
She finished doing her homework.
They decided to buy a car.
I am interested in learning English.
We went to the cafe to meet friends.
You should avoid eating too much sugar.
I hope to see you soon.
He kept talking even though I was busy.
It is difficult to understand him.
I remember visiting Paris when I was ten.
Please remember to lock the door.
I tried to open the window, but it was stuck.
Try adding some salt to the soup.
I resent being treated like a child.
He is reported to have escaped from prison.
I object to being spoken to in that tone.
The company anticipates making a profit this year.
I don't much care for his interfering in our affairs.
To have lived through such a crisis is a miracle.
I watched the sun set over the horizon.
The suspect confessed to having forged the documents.
容易混淆
Learners often use 'stop to do' when they mean they quit a habit.
Mixing up past memories with future tasks.
Used incorrectly in academic or biographical contexts.
常见错误
I like swim.
I like swimming.
I want going.
I want to go.
He is good in play.
He is good at playing.
To reading is fun.
Reading is fun.
I am thinking to go.
I am thinking of going.
She finished to eat.
She finished eating.
I went for buy milk.
I went to buy milk.
I suggest to wait.
I suggest waiting.
I don't mind to help.
I don't mind helping.
I am used to get up early.
I am used to getting up early.
I regret to tell him the news.
I regret telling him the news.
He was seen cross the road.
He was seen crossing the road.
I look forward to meet you.
I look forward to meeting you.
They denied to have stolen it.
They denied having stolen it.
句型
I am looking forward to ___.
It's no use ___.
I would rather ___ than ___.
I resent ___.
Real World Usage
I am skilled at managing large teams.
Stop bugging me!
Thanks for following!
I'd like to check in, please.
Your order is being prepared.
Understanding the data is crucial.
培养语感
I enjoy swimming 听起来比 I enjoy to swim顺耳得多。
成对记忆
avoid doing 或 decide to do 这种固定搭配。 I decided to go.
介词是老大！
正式与非正式的微妙差别
To err is human.
善用词典
She suggested going to the park.
Smart Tips
Never use 'to'. Always use -ing or a 'that' clause.
Use 'to + verb' instead of 'for + -ing'.
Check if the action happened in the past (use -ing) or needs to happen in the future (use to).
Always add -ing to the following verb.
发音
The -ing suffix
In casual speech, the 'g' is often dropped (e.g., 'runnin'), but in formal English, the full 'ng' sound is expected.
The 'to' particle
In the infinitive, 'to' is usually unstressed and sounds like 'tuh'.
Emphasis on the Gerund
I LOVE ↗swimming.
Emphasizes the activity itself.
记住它
记忆技巧
Prepositions are 'ing'-clined to take the gerund.
视觉联想
Imagine a 'To' bridge leading to a future goal (Infinitive) and an '-ing' circle representing a continuous cycle or a past memory (Gerund).
Rhyme
After 'suggest' and 'avoid', the -ing form is employed. After 'hope' and 'decide', the 'to' form will be your guide.
Story
I was 'walking' (gerund) in the park when I 'stopped to look' (infinitive of purpose) at a bird. I 'remembered seeing' (gerund for memory) that bird before. I 'decided to take' (infinitive for decision) a photo.
Word Web
挑战
Write 5 sentences about your career goals using at least 3 gerunds and 3 infinitives.
文化笔记
BrE often uses 'like + gerund' (I like swimming), whereas AmE is more likely to use 'like + infinitive' (I like to swim), though both are understood.
Gerunds are preferred for naming fields of study or complex processes in formal papers.
Sometimes uses 'a-' prefixing with gerunds in folk speech, though this is non-standard.
The English gerund evolved from the Old English suffix '-ung', while the infinitive comes from the Germanic 'to' + dative case of the verbal noun.
对话开场白
What is something you really enjoy doing on weekends?
What do you hope to achieve in the next five years?
Is there anything you regret doing in your past?
What would you suggest doing to improve the local economy?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
She finished ___ her essay just before the deadline.
Find and fix the mistake:
I'm looking forward to go on vacation next month.
Choose the correct sentence:
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
翻译成英文：'她停下来拉伸腿部。'
Answer starts with: ["S...
Score: /5
练习题
8 exercisesI suggest ___ to the museum instead.
I'll never forget ___ (see) the Eiffel Tower for the first time.
Find and fix the mistake:
I am looking forward to meet you next week.
It is not worth trying to fix this. (USE)
1. Avoid, 2. Decide, 3. Stop (quit)
He stopped to talk to her.
She is interested in ___ (apply) for the job.
Choose the grammatically perfect sentence.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesHave you considered ___ for that advanced course?
I regret telling you this, but we need to postpone the meeting.
Choose the correct sentence:
翻译成英文：'她建议去海滩。'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
将动词与正确的形式匹配：
I can't imagine ___ without my phone for a day.
He offered taking us to the airport.
Choose the correct sentence:
翻译成英文：'我记得锁过门了。'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
将动词与正确的短语匹配：
Score: /12
常见问题 (8)
In this phrase, 'to' is a preposition, not part of the infinitive. Just as you say 'I'm going to London' (noun), you must use a gerund (verbal noun) after 'to' here.
'Try to do' means you are making an effort to achieve something difficult. 'Try doing' means you are experimenting with an action to see if it solves a problem.
Yes, usually. 'I like swimming' and 'I like to swim' are both correct. However, 'I like to swim' often implies a habit or something you think is a good idea, while 'I like swimming' focuses on the enjoyment of the activity.
Common ones include: avoid, enjoy, finish, mind, suggest, recommend, and keep.
No. After modal verbs (can, should, must) and verbs like 'make' and 'let', we use the 'bare infinitive' without 'to'.
Absolutely! 'Smoking is prohibited' or 'Learning is fun' are perfect examples.
It's the form 'being + past participle'. For example: 'I don't like being told what to do.'
Try putting a noun after it. If it makes sense (e.g., 'I'm used to *the noise*'), then 'to' is a preposition and needs a gerund.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Infinitivo
Spanish never uses the -ando/-iendo form as a noun.
Infinitif
French uses the gerundive (en + participe présent) only for simultaneous actions.
Infinitiv mit zu
German has no direct equivalent to the English -ing gerund.
Koto / No (Nominalizers)
Japanese doesn't have a 'to-infinitive' vs 'gerund' distinction; it depends on the following particle.
Masdar
The Masdar is a distinct morphological form, not just a suffix like -ing.
No change
There are no morphological markers like -ing or 'to'.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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