Gerunds & Infinitives — Swimming or To Swim? Guide for Kids
A GERUND is a verb + -ING used as a NOUN: ‘Swimming is fun.’ An INFINITIVE is ‘to’ + verb: ‘I want to swim.’ Some verbs need gerund, some need infinitive, some take both! This page teaches you which is which.
Updated: June 8, 2026 · ⏱️ 15 min · Page 8/23 · ⭐⭐⭐ Grade 4-5
🟢 Gerund Verbs (always + ING)
🔵 Infinitive Verbs (always + TO)
🟠 Both OK! (ING or TO)
📖 Practice Sentences (12)
- Aarav enjoys playing cricket after school. (enjoy + gerund ✅)
- Priya wants to become a doctor when she grows up. (want + infinitive ✅)
- I like swimming = I like to swim. (both correct! ✅)
- Running every morning keeps Rahul healthy. (gerund as subject)
- The teacher suggested reading the chapter twice. (suggest + gerund ✅)
- She promised to help with the school play. (promise + infinitive ✅)
- Meera avoided eating too much sugar. (avoid + gerund ✅)
- He decided to study harder for the final exam. (decide + infinitive ✅)
- To travel the world is my dream. (infinitive as subject)
- They finished doing their homework by 6 PM. (finish + gerund ✅)
- I hope to visit Kerala someday. (hope + infinitive ✅)
- She keeps forgetting her lunch box! (keep + gerund ✅)
🇮🇳 Hindi Comparison
Hindi doesn’t have this gerund/infinitive distinction! Hindi uses the same form: ‘मुझे तैरना पसंद है’ (I like swimming/to swim — same word तैरना). That’s why Indian kids say ‘I enjoy to play’ ❌ instead of ‘I enjoy playing’ ✅ — Hindi doesn’t force the choice!
✏️ Fill in the Blank (15)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❓ Quiz (12)
🤓 Fun Facts
People Also Ask
What is a gerund?
A verb + -ING used as a NOUN: ‘Swimming is fun.’ Here ‘swimming’ is the subject — it’s acting as a noun, not a verb.
What is an infinitive?
‘To’ + base verb: ‘to swim, to eat, to play.’ Used after certain verbs: ‘I want TO swim.’ Can also be subject: ‘To travel is exciting.’
How to know which to use?
Some verbs ONLY take gerund (enjoy, avoid, finish). Some ONLY take infinitive (want, decide, hope). Some take both (like, love, start).
👨👩👧 Parent Tips
- 1. 📋 Make two columns: GERUND verbs (enjoy, avoid, finish…) | INFINITIVE verbs (want, decide, hope…)
- 2. 🎯 Quick test: say a verb, child says ‘gerund or infinitive?’ — enjoy→gerund! want→infinitive!
- 3. ❌ Catch the error: ‘I enjoy to play’ → ‘I enjoy PLAYING’ — correct gently every time
- 4. 📝 Write 5 gerund sentences + 5 infinitive sentences daily
- 5. 🇮🇳 Explain Hindi difference: ‘Hindi doesn’t force this choice — English does!’
- 6. 📖 While reading, identify: ‘Is this a gerund or infinitive? Which verb controls it?’
- 7. 🔗 Connect to Writing Guide: using gerunds and infinitives makes essays more varied!
❓ FAQ (6)
What is a gerund?
A verb + -ING used as a NOUN: ‘Swimming is fun.’ Here ‘swimming’ is the subject — it’s acting as a noun, not a verb.
What is an infinitive?
‘To’ + base verb: ‘to swim, to eat, to play.’ Used after certain verbs: ‘I want TO swim.’ Can also be subject: ‘To travel is exciting.’
How to know which to use?
Some verbs ONLY take gerund (enjoy, avoid, finish). Some ONLY take infinitive (want, decide, hope). Some take both (like, love, start).
Why is ‘I enjoy to play’ wrong?
‘Enjoy’ ONLY takes gerund: ‘I enjoy playing.’ This is a fixed rule — no exception. Same for avoid, finish, suggest.
Why do Indians make this mistake?
Hindi uses one form (तैरना) for both gerund and infinitive. English forces you to choose, and the choice depends on which verb comes before.
Is this tested in CBSE?
Yes, in Grade 4-5. ‘Fill in with gerund or infinitive’ is a common CBSE question.