Gerunds & infinitives

20 words

1. 1

   prevent + somebody + from + V-inggrammar

   to stop someone or something from doing something; to make something not happen

   “Strict rules can prevent companies from dumping toxic waste.”

2. 2

   have to + Vphrase

   to be obliged or required to do something due to rules, laws, or circumstances

   “I have to finish this report before Friday because my manager asked for it.”

3. 3

   intend + to + Vgrammar

   to have a plan or purpose to do something; to mean to do something

   “I intend to apply for the scholarship next month.”

4. 4

   too + adjective + to + Vgrammar

   Shows that something is so ... that it prevents an action from happening.

   “The box was too heavy to carry.”

5. 5

   adjective + enough + to + Vgrammar

   Indicates that something has sufficient degree or quality to allow an action to happen.

   “She is old enough to vote.”

6. 6

   it's + adjective + to + Vstructure

   a common pattern to express general statements, opinions, or advice using an adjective followed by an infinitive

   “It's important to prepare examples for your Task 2 essay.”

7. 7

   ask/tell/advise + somebody + to + Vgrammar

   Verbs that take an object + to-infinitive to indicate requests, orders, or advice.

   “She asked him to help with the project.”

8. 8

   get used to + V-ingphrase

   to become accustomed to something; to no longer find something strange or difficult

   “After a month in London I finally got used to the cold.”

9. 9

   object to + V-inggrammar

   Indicates opposition to an action; 'object to' is followed by a gerund (V-ing) or a noun.

   “Many residents objected to building the new road through the park.”

10. 10

    continue + V-ing / continue to + Vpattern

    to keep doing something; both 'continue + V-ing' and 'continue to + V' are possible, with small nuances

    “She continued working despite the noise.”

11. 11

    be supposed to + Vgrammar

    Expresses expectation, obligation, or what is generally believed or planned to happen.

    “I'm supposed to meet my tutor at three.”

12. 12

    it's time + past simple (it's time you + past simple) / it's time to + Vpattern

    'it's time + past simple' suggests someone should do something now (often a mild criticism or urgency); 'it's time to + infinitive' simply states that the appropriate time to do something has arrived

    “It's time we talked about your plans for after graduation.”

13. 13

    be allowed to + Vphrase

    to have permission to do something; to be permitted to do something

    “In the exam room students are not allowed to use mobile phones.”

14. 14

    make a point of + V-ingpattern

    to deliberately do something because you think it is important or polite

    “She makes a point of replying to every student within 48 hours.”

15. 15

    had better + bare infinitivegrammar

    Used for strong advice or warning; followed by the plain infinitive (no 'to').

    “You had better apologise before it's too late.”

16. 16

    it's no use + V-ingpattern

    used to say that an action is pointless or will not change the result

    “It's no use blaming others when you made the mistake yourself.”

17. 17

    involve + V-ingpattern

    to include or require doing something as part of an activity or process

    “The project involves collecting data from over a hundred households.”

18. 18

    can't help but + Vidiom

    used to say that someone cannot prevent themselves from doing something; cannot avoid doing

    “I can't help but laugh when I watch that comedy sketch.”

19. 19

    spend + time + V-ingpattern

    to use a period of time doing something

    “I spend a lot of time preparing lesson plans at the weekend.”

20. 20

    go + V-ingphrasal verb

    used with activities (often leisure) to say someone goes somewhere to do an activity or participates in an activity

    “On weekends we usually go hiking in the hills.”