A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that works like a noun.

An infinitive is usually made with to + base form of a verb.

Gerunds are commonly used after certain verbs, after prepositions, and as the subject of a sentence.

A. As the subject of a sentence

Sentence	Hindi Meaning
Walking is good for health.	टहलना स्वास्थ्य के लिए अच्छा है।
Learning English takes time.	अंग्रेज़ी सीखने में समय लगता है।
Swimming is enjoyable.	तैरना आनंददायक है।

B. After these verbs

Common verbs followed by a gerund:

Correct sentence	Hindi Meaning
I enjoy reading books.	मुझे किताबें पढ़ना पसंद है।
She finished doing her homework.	उसने अपना होमवर्क करना पूरा कर लिया।
He avoids telling lies.	वह झूठ बोलने से बचता है।
Would you mind opening the window?	क्या आपको खिड़की खोलने में कोई आपत्ति होगी?
They suggested going by bus.	उन्होंने बस से जाने का सुझाव दिया।

C. After prepositions

Use a gerund after a preposition such as in, on, at, for, about, without, before, after, by.

• She is good at drawing.
• He left without saying goodbye.
• Wash your hands before eating.
• Thank you for helping me.
• I am interested in learning French.

A. After these verbs

Sentence	Hindi Meaning
I want to improve my English.	मैं अपनी अंग्रेज़ी सुधारना चाहता हूँ।
She decided to join the class.	उसने कक्षा में शामिल होने का फैसला किया।
We hope to win the match.	हमें मैच जीतने की आशा है।
He promised to help me.	उसने मेरी मदद करने का वादा किया।

B. To explain purpose (why we do something)

Use to + verb to explain the purpose of an action.

• I went to the market to buy vegetables.
• She studies hard to pass the exam.
• He called me to ask a question.
• We use a dictionary to find word meanings.

C. After adjectives

• It is easy to understand.
• I am happy to see you.
• She is ready to start.
• It is important to practise every day.

Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive. Sometimes the meaning stays almost the same.

Verb	Gerund example	Infinitive example
like	I like reading.	I like to read before bed.
love	She loves singing.	She loves to sing for her family.
start	It started raining.	It started to rain.
begin	He began working.	He began to work.
prefer	I prefer walking.	I prefer to walk to work.

Gerund	Infinitive
stop smoking = quit the habit of smoking	stop to smoke = stop another activity in order to smoke
remember locking the door = remember that you locked it	remember to lock the door = do not forget to lock it
try restarting the computer = experiment with this solution	try to restart the computer = make an effort to restart it
forget meeting him = not remember a past meeting	forget to meet him = fail to remember that you should meet him

Incorrect	Correct	Reason
I enjoy to play cricket.	I enjoy playing cricket.	Enjoy + gerund
She wants going home.	She wants to go home.	Want + infinitive
He is good at to cook.	He is good at cooking.	Preposition + gerund
We decided going early.	We decided to go early.	Decide + infinitive
I look forward to see you.	I look forward to seeing you.	“To” is a preposition here

No.	English sentence	Hindi meaning
1	I enjoy talking to my friends.	मुझे अपने दोस्तों से बात करना अच्छा लगता है।
2	I want to speak English fluently.	मैं धाराप्रवाह अंग्रेज़ी बोलना चाहता हूँ।
3	She avoids wasting time.	वह समय बर्बाद करने से बचती है।
4	He plans to start a business.	वह एक व्यवसाय शुरू करने की योजना बना रहा है।
5	Thank you for calling me.	मुझे फोन करने के लिए धन्यवाद।
6	They agreed to help us.	वे हमारी मदद करने के लिए सहमत हुए।
7	Practising daily helps you improve.	रोज़ अभ्यास करने से आपको सुधार करने में मदद मिलती है।
8	I came here to learn English.	मैं यहाँ अंग्रेज़ी सीखने आया हूँ।

Choose the correct answer for each question.

1. I enjoy _____ books.

a) to read

b) reading

c) read

2. She decided _____ early.

a) leaving

b) leave

c) to leave

3. He is interested in _____ Spanish.

a) learning

b) to learn

c) learn

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