Gerunds and Infinitives Advanced Level Test – Quiz (Online Exercise With Answers) 2

In is a preposition, so the verb after it must be a gerund: key in determining. The adjective likely is followed by a to-infinitive: likely to engage (parallel with become hooked). Not to determine, because a preposition is never followed by a to-infinitive.

The pattern is make it possible for someone to do something. The performers do the action themselves, so the infinitive is active: to produce. Not to be produced, because their work is the object of an active verb.

Happen is followed by a to-infinitive when it means 'do something by chance': who happens to share the same living space. Not sharing, because happen does not take a gerund in this meaning.

After It is + adjective we normally use a to-infinitive: It is difficult to tell the difference. Tell the difference is a fixed collocation meaning 'see how two things differ'. Not to be told, because a person does the telling, so the active form is needed.

The pattern is too + adjective + to-infinitive: she is too valuable to spend her time on research, so she should not do it. The verb has an object (her time), so it must be active. Not to be spent, because a passive infinitive cannot be followed by the object her time.

The pattern is spend time + -ing: spent dozens of hours pursuing the question. The adverb mostly does not change this. Not to pursue, because spend time is not followed by a to-infinitive.

Appear is followed by a to-infinitive. The continuous infinitive to be causing shows a process that is happening now, and obesity is the cause, so the form is active: appears to be causing girls to reach puberty earlier. Not to be caused, because the object girls follows, so a passive cannot fit.

After the first (+ noun) we use a to-infinitive: the first organization ... to conduct. In the second gap pressing is an adjective meaning 'urgent': pressing challenges. Not to be conducted, because the organization does the research, so the active form is needed.

After ordinals and the first/last/only we use a to-infinitive: the first American woman to win this prize. Not winning, because the first is followed by a to-infinitive, not an -ing form.

Promise is followed by a to-infinitive: promised to open. A to-infinitive after a noun can show purpose: a plan to build closer ties. Not opening, because promise does not take a gerund.

Plan is followed by a to-infinitive: plans to double its investment. The second to-infinitive shows purpose: doubling the investment is done to create a new business. Not creating, because an -ing form here does not show the purpose.

The noun opportunity is usually followed by a to-infinitive: had their opportunity to restate. The candidates do the action, so the infinitive is active. Not to be restated, because the importance is the object of the verb, so a passive cannot fit.

After a superlative (the most important ... instrument) we use a to-infinitive. The instrument did not invent anything; it was invented, so the passive to be invented is needed. Not to have invented, because that form is active.

Understand can take a possessive or object plus a gerund: understood her leaving a promising career. The to-infinitive then shows purpose: she left to participate in the movement. Not to leave, because understand someone is not followed by a to-infinitive here.

The pattern is block/stop/prevent something from + -ing: block the moon from reflecting the sun's light. The moon does the reflecting, so the active gerund is needed. Not being reflected, because the sun's light is its object.

After among the first (Europeans) we use a to-infinitive, and both verbs joined by and keep the same form: the first Europeans to explore ... and to settle. Not to have explored / settling, because the two verbs after and must be parallel.

Seem takes a to-infinitive. The continuous form to be having describes a situation happening now. Have difficulty is followed by an -ing form: having difficulty coping with. Not to have had / coped, because have difficulty is never followed by a past form.

Call for someone/something to do takes a to-infinitive. The students do not bring anyone; someone brings them, so the passive to be brought is needed. The second gap is the causative have something done: had a new heating system installed (someone installs it for the school). Not to bring / install, because both actions are done to the students and the heating system, not by them.

Try meaning 'make an effort' takes a to-infinitive: tried to march. The rule is only proposed, so would shows its future result seen from the past: a rule that would block free parking. Not will be blocked, because the rule does the blocking (active) and the sentence is in the past.

Verbs of perception like watch, see and hear are followed by object + bare infinitive to describe a complete action: I watch him turn around and walk away. Not to turn / to walk, because perception verbs are not followed by a to-infinitive in the active.

The causative have someone do something takes a bare infinitive: had the janitor open the door. The second verb goes with Bill, in the past simple: and entered. Not opened, because have + person needs the base form; have + thing + past participle is a different pattern.

By is a preposition showing the method, so it takes a gerund: by predicting those predisposed. The noun ways is followed by a to-infinitive here: new ways to treat it. Not to predict, because a preposition cannot be followed by a to-infinitive.

The passive be caught + -ing means someone was discovered while doing something wrong: was caught plagiarizing. To plagiarize means to copy someone else's work and pretend it is your own. Not to be plagiarizing, because be caught is followed by an -ing form.

Strive (try very hard) is followed by a to-infinitive: strive to avert the catastrophe. To avert means to prevent. After the preposition by we need an active gerund with an object: by communicating a sense of .... Not being communicated, because a passive gerund cannot take the object a sense.

Help someone can be followed by a bare infinitive (or a to-infinitive): help neurosurgeons face. Be sure meaning 'certain to happen' takes a to-infinitive: challenges that are sure to lie ahead. Not face / being lain, because sure needs a to-infinitive, and lie (be in a place) has no passive.