Gerunds and infinitives

turn verbs into subjects

turn verbs into adjectives

When a verb follows another verb, we always need to use the infinitive or the gerund.

We can use the gerund or the infinitive as the object, subject or complement of a sentence, but in general, it is much more common to use the gerund as the subject.

 With some verbs, when we use the gerund and the infinitive, the meaning changes: I forgot writing that email.(olvidé que escribí ese correo electrónico.) : I forgot to write that email.(Me olvidé de escribir el correo electrónico.

The infinitive is used after adjectives : I’m glad to see you.(Me alegro de verte.)

After prepositions we can only use the gerund : I always read before going to bed.(Siempre leo antes de acostarme.)

The gerund is used after nouns: His problem finding a new job was his lack of experience.(Su problema para encontrar un nuevo empleo era su falta de experiencia.)

The gerund is used after phrasal expressions or phrasal verbs : I can’t help falling in love.(No puedo evitar enamorarme.)