Verbs + both gerunds and infinitives

Verbs that are followed by either the gerund or the infinitive with no change in meaning: begin, continue, prefer, start.

• He started to read when he was four.

• He started reading when he was four.

Verbs whose meaning changes depending on whether the verb after them is in the gerund or the infinitive.

1. GO ON

2. LEARN

3. MEAN

4. REGRET

5. REMEMBER

6. STOP

1. GO ON

• He went on studying although he was tired.

  
  

• After school, he'll go on to study to study law.
  

1. GO ON

• He went on studying although he was tired.

  
  

• After school, he'll go on to study to study law.
  

= continue doing something.




= doing something after doing something else.

2. LEARN

• We all learned spelling at school.

  
  

• I learned to spell lots of words in 5th grade.
  

2. LEARN

• We all learned spelling at school.

  
  

• I learned to spell lots of words in 5th grade.
  

= gain knowledge of something.



= successfully master a skill.

3. MEAN

• Going to university meant making new friends.

• I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make a fuss.

3. MEAN

• Going to university meant making new friends.

• I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make a fuss.

= make something necessary.






= intend to do something.

4. REGRET

• I regretted telling her what happended.

• I regret to tell you that the project has been cancelled.

4. REGRET

• I regretted telling her what happended.

• I regret to tell you that the project has been cancelled.

= feel sorry about something you have done.


= "I am sorry to tell you."

4. REMEMBER

• I don't remember turning off the lights.

• She remembered to turn off the lights.

4. REMEMBER

• I don't remember turning off the lights.

• She remembered to turn off the lights.

= have no memory of an action.


= not to forget.

5. STOP

• I have stopped posting photos on Facebook.

• She stopped to post a photo on Instagram.

5. STOP

• I have stopped posting photos on Facebook.

• She stopped to post a photo on Instagram.

= no longer do something.


= stop doing something in order to do something else.

​13 questions.

Fill in the blanks.

Practice time!