Misuse of the infinitive
Use the gerund and not the infinitive.
(a) After prepositions or prepositional phrases:
1. Without, etc. + -ing.
Don't say, Do your work without speak.
Say, Do your work without speaking.
2. Instead of, etc. + -ing.
Don't say, He went away instead to Wait.
Say, He went away instead of waiting.
(b) After words that regularly take a preposition.
3. capable of + -ing.
Don't say, They're quite capable to do that.
Say, They're quite capable of doing that.
Note also: incapable of; to + the infinitive follows able or unable. He is unable to do anything.
4. Fond of + -ing.
Don't say: She's always fond of talk.
Say: She's always fond of talking.
5. Insist on +-ing.
Don't say, Simon insisted on go to London.
Say, Simon insisted on going to London.
6.Object to + -ing.
Don't say, I object being treated like this.
Say: I object to being treating like this.
7. Prevent from + -ing.
Don't say, The rain prevented me from go.
Say: The rain prevented me from going.
8. succeed in 4-ing.
Don't say: Paula succeeded to win the prize.
Say: Paula succeeded in winning the prize.
9. Think of +-ing.
Don't say: often think of going to England.
Say :often thinking of go to England.
10. Tired of i- -ing.
Don't say, The customer got tired of wait.
Say: The customer got tired of waiting.
11. used to + -ing.
Don't say, She's used to get up early.
Say, She's used to getting up early.
c) After certain verbs:
12. Avoid + - ing.
Don't say, You can't avoid make mistakes.
Say: You can't avoid making mistakes.
Note: Also, I can't help (= can't avoid).
can't help laughing.
13. Enjoy + -ing.
Don't say: I enjoy play football.
Say: I enjoy playing football.
Note: Use the gerund or to + infinitive after verbs meaning to like or to dislike.
He likes reading English books.
He likes to read English books.
14. Excuse + -ing.
Don't say, Please excuse my for being so late.
Say: Please excuse me being so late.
Or, please excuse me for being so late.
15. Finish + -ing.
Don't say, Have you finished speak?
Say: Have you finished speaking?
Note, to t infinitive or the gerund follow verbs meaning to begin, She began to speak,She began speaking.
16. Go on (continue) + -ing.
Don't say, The music went on to play all day.
Say :The music played all day.
Note: Also, keep on; she kept on playing the piano.
17. Mind (object to) + -ing.
Don't say, Would you mind to open the door?
Say: Would you mind opening the door?
Have another look at…
Use of the gerund
Use the gerund {and not the infinitive):
1. After prepositions.
Examples: He worked without stopping. She played instead of working.
2. After words which regularly take a preposition, such as fond of, insist on, tired of, succeed in.
Examples: I'm tired of doing the work again. He succeeded in catching the rat.
3. After certain verbs, such as avoid, enjoy, finish, stop,risk, excuse.
Examples: They enjoy playing football.The wind has stopped blowing.
4. After the adjectives busy and worth.
Examples: Lena was busy writing a book. This date is worth remembering.
5. After certain phrases, such as it's no use, it's no good,I can't help, would you mind, look forward to.
Examples: Think it's no use trying again. I can't help feeling angry about it.
Use the gerund or the infinitive after certain verbs, such as begin, like, dislike, hate, love, prefer.
Example: He began to talk or He began talking.
1 Practise + -ing.
Don't say: You must practise to speak English.
Say: You must practise speaking English.
2. Remember + -ing.
Don't say: I don't remember to have seen him.
Say: I don't remember seeing him.
Or; I don't remember having seen him.
3. Risk + -ing.
Don't say: We couldn't risk to leave him alone.
Say: We couldn't risk leaving him alone.
4. Stop+ ing.
Don't say: The wind has almost stopped to blow.
Say: The wind has almost stopped blowing.
Note give up= stop He give up smoking.
5. Busy + -ing.
Don't say: tie was busy to revise the exams.
Say: He was busy revising for the exams.
6. Worth + -ing.
Don't say: Is today's film worth to see?
Say: Is today's film worth seeing?
(e) After certain phrases:
7. Have difficulty in + -ing.
Don't say: She has no difficulty to do it.
Say: She has no difficulty in doing it.
8.Have the pleasure of + -ing.
Don't say: I had the pleasure to meet him.
Say: I had the pleasure of meeting him.
Note: take pleasure in Ho takes great pleasure to meet him.
9. It's no use + -ing.
Don't say: It's no use to cry like a baby.
Say: It's no use crying like a baby.
10. It's no good + -ing.
Don't say: It's no good to get angry.
Say: It's no good getting angry.
11. Look forward to + -ing.
Don't say: I look forward to see him soon.
Say: I look forward to seeing him soon.
12. There is no harm in +• -ing.
Don't say: There's no harm to visit her now.
Say: There's no harm in visiting her now.
