Gerunds vs Infinitives

5 min

Master the correct usage of V-ing and To-V1 for SSC & Defence exams.

The Golden Rule

Certain verbs like avoid and enjoy take a Gerund (V-ing), while want and hope take an Infinitive (to+V1). Use Bare Infinitive (V1) after make, let, and help. Remember, 'look forward to' and 'object to' always take V-ing.

Why Study This?

Frequent 'Error Spotting' questions in SSC CGL and CHSL.
Clears confusion between 'used to' and 'be used to'.
Essential for 'Sentence Improvement' in Defence exams.

Memory Hooks

Avoid + ing: 'Avoid Talking' (Action stopped).
Want + To: 'Want To Play' (Action planned).
Make + V1: 'Make him cry' (No 'to' allowed).

Verb Usage Comparison

Category	Structure	Example
Gerund	Verb + V-ing	I enjoy swimming.
Infinitive	Verb + To-V1	I want to go.
Bare Inf.	Make/Let + V1	Let him play.
Special Case	Look forward to + V-ing	Look forward to meeting.

Verb Visualizer

ADMIT

(Takes Gerund)

Takes Gerund

He admitted stealing.

DECIDE

(Takes Infinitive)

Takes Infinitive

I decided to study.

MAKE

(No 'To' added)

No 'To' added

Make him sit.

USED TO

(Past habit)

Past habit

I used to smoke.

Common Exam Traps

I look forward to meet you.I look forward to meeting you.

Phrasal verbs ending in 'to' take V-ing.

He is used to wake up early.He is used to waking up early.

'Be + used to' refers to current habit, takes V-ing.

She made me to cry.She made me cry.

'Make' is followed by a bare infinitive (no 'to').

Quick Practice

Q1.We are looking forward to ________ our new house.

Q2.The teacher made the students ________ the essay again.

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