Infinitive – Gerund MCQ Test With Answers + PDF Exercise 3

After verbs of perception like see + object, we use the -ing form to show an action in progress: We saw them crossing the street. Forms like crossed or will cross cannot follow see + object.

The pattern too + adjective is followed by the to-infinitive. It's never too late to learn means you can always start learning. Not learning, because too late needs to + verb.

Playing in the garden is a participle phrase that describes the girls. It is a short form of who are playing. Not are playing, because the sentence already has a main verb (are my sisters).

Like is often followed by the -ing form for things we enjoy doing in general: I like making people happy. Having made refers to a finished past action, which doesn't fit a general preference.

Stop + -ing means you finish an activity: she stopped watching TV (she was watching, then she stopped). Stop + to-infinitive means you stop one thing in order to do another, which is not the meaning here.

Besides is a preposition, so it is followed by the -ing form: besides swimming. Like can be followed by the to-infinitive: I like to watch. Not to swim, because a preposition can't be followed by to + verb.

Make + object is followed by the bare infinitive (no to): makes him read. Want + object is followed by the to-infinitive: wants him to apply. Not to read, because make never takes to in the active voice.

After a preposition like without, we use the -ing form: without saying goodbye.

After a possessive (their) and a preposition (of), we use a gerund (-ing form) as a noun: their going together. Not to go, because of cannot be followed by to + verb.

It's best is followed by the to-infinitive: it's best to keep close. Chance of has a preposition, so it takes the -ing form: a better chance of finding the plane. Not being found, because the rescuers are the ones who find the plane (active meaning).

See + object + bare infinitive describes a complete action that we saw from start to finish: saw the doctor examine the patient. Not to examine, because see doesn't take to in the active voice.

Playing in the yard is a participle phrase describing the girl (= the girl who was playing). Not was playing, because the main verb of the sentence is asked.

After the preposition of, we use the -ing form. The pattern make + object + adjective means 'cause something to be': thought of making his state powerful. Not having become, because become cannot take an object like his state.

Anxious meaning 'eager, wanting very much' is followed by the to-infinitive: anxious to see her family. Not to be seen, because she wants to see them, not be seen by them.

Can't help (= can't stop yourself) is always followed by the -ing form: I can't help telling you about it. Not to tell, because this fixed expression doesn't take the infinitive.

Begin can be followed by the -ing form: began helping to build new houses. The other options (would help, helped, shall help) are finite verb forms and cannot follow began.

Hear + object is followed by the -ing form (or the bare infinitive), not by to: I have never heard him speaking French. Not to speak, because hear doesn't take to in the active voice.

Expect + object is followed by the to-infinitive: Nobody expected him to marry Lola. Not marry, because expect needs to.

Be worth is always followed by the -ing form: This holiday is worth celebrating. Not to celebrate, because worth doesn't take the infinitive.

Give up (= stop a habit) is followed by the -ing form, and both verbs joined by and take the same form: give up smoking and drinking. Would you mind is also followed by the -ing form: Would you mind bringing…? Not smoking / to drink, because both verbs after give up must be -ing forms.