Basics of infinitives and gerunds. 45 questions on verb + infinitive, verb + gerund, and infinitives of purpose.
What this test covers
- Verbs Followed by Infinitive
- Verbs Followed by Gerund
- Infinitive of Purpose
Answer the 45 questions below. Each answer is checked straight away, with an explanation. Press Submit at the end to get your score and save it to your dashboard. Answers are not kept if you leave before submitting.
All 45 questions with answers
Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.
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Q1I want ___ a new computer next month.
Answer: B. to buy
After the verb 'want', we use 'to' followed by the action. For example: 'I want to go home'.
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Q2They hope ___ their friends in London soon.
Answer: C. to visit
The verb 'hope' is followed by 'to' + the verb. We say 'hope to visit', not 'hope visit' or 'hope visiting'.
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Q3She decided ___ the job offer yesterday.
Answer: C. to accept
When you make a choice, you 'decide to' do something. Use 'to' followed by the basic form of the action.
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Q4We plan ___ our vacation to Italy next year.
Answer: A. to take
We use 'to' + the verb after 'plan'. We do not say 'plan taking' or 'plan take'.
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Q5He needs ___ his homework before dinner.
Answer: C. to finish
The verb 'need' is followed by 'to' and the basic form of the verb, like 'need to finish' or 'need to go'.
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Q6They agreed ___ us at the station at noon.
Answer: C. to meet
When people say yes to a plan, they 'agree to' do something. We use 'to meet' here.
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Q7She refused ___ the documents without a lawyer.
Answer: C. to sign
When you say no to an action, you 'refuse to' do it. Use 'to' + the verb after 'refuse'.
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Q8I managed ___ the project before the deadline.
Answer: B. to finish
To 'manage to' do something means you were able to complete it. It is always followed by 'to' + the verb.
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Q9He promised ___ the dishes after dinner.
Answer: C. to wash
When you give your word, you 'promise to' do something. 'Promise to wash' is the correct pattern.
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Q10They offered ___ me a ride to the airport.
Answer: B. to give
The verb 'offer' is followed by 'to' + the verb. For example: 'He offered to help me'.
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Q11He claimed ___ the truth about the incident.
Answer: B. to know
After the verb 'claim', we use 'to' + the verb. We say 'claimed to know'.
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Q12Choose the correct version of the sentence:
Answer: C. She seems to be happy today.
The verb 'seem' is followed by 'to' + the verb. We cannot use 'being' or 'be' directly after 'seems'.
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Q13Choose the correct version of the sentence:
Answer: B. I tend to eat a big breakfast.
The verb 'tend' describes a habit and is followed by 'to' + the verb. We say 'tend to eat'.
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Q14Choose the correct version of the sentence:
Answer: C. We can't afford to buy a new house.
When talking about having enough money, we use 'afford to' + the verb. Do not use 'buying' after 'afford'.
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Q15She appeared ___ surprised by the news.
Answer: C. to be
The verb 'appear' works like 'seem'. It is followed by 'to' + the verb, so we say 'appeared to be'.
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Q16I enjoy ___ to music while I work.
Answer: D. listening
After the verb 'enjoy', we always use the '-ing' form of the verb. Example: 'I enjoy swimming'.
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Q17Have you finished ___ your report yet?
Answer: D. writing
When an action ends, we 'finish' doing it. We use the '-ing' form after 'finish'.
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Q18He avoids ___ his phone during meetings.
Answer: C. using
After 'avoid', we use the '-ing' form of the verb. We do not use 'to use' here.
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Q19She suggested ___ to the park this afternoon.
Answer: A. going
When you give an idea, you 'suggest' doing something. We use the '-ing' form after 'suggest'.
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Q20You should practise ___ English every single day.
Answer: A. speaking
When you do something many times to improve, you 'practise' doing it. Use the '-ing' form.
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Q21Have you considered ___ a new car?
Answer: D. buying
To 'consider' means to think about. This verb is followed by the '-ing' form.
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Q22Do you mind ___ the window? It's cold.
Answer: A. closing
In the polite question 'Do you mind...?', we always use the '-ing' form of the verb.
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Q23He postponed ___ the meeting until next week.
Answer: D. holding
To 'postpone' means to do something at a later time. It is followed by the '-ing' form.
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Q24He gave up ___ coffee last month.
Answer: C. drinking
The phrase 'give up' means to stop a habit. We use the '-ing' form after 'give up'.
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Q25I am looking forward to ___ you next week.
Answer: B. seeing
In the special phrase 'look forward to', we always use the '-ing' form. We say 'looking forward to seeing', not 'to see'.
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Q26Which sentence is correct?
Answer: D. I can't help laughing at his jokes.
The expression 'can't help' means you cannot stop yourself. It is always followed by the '-ing' form.
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Q27Choose the correct version of the sentence:
Answer: B. I detest waiting in long queues.
The verb 'detest' means to hate something very much. It is followed by the '-ing' form.
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Q28Choose the correct version of the sentence:
Answer: D. The job involves travelling a lot.
The verb 'involve' is followed by the '-ing' form. We say 'the job involves travelling'.
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Q29They delayed ___ the meeting.
Answer: C. starting
After 'delay', we use the '-ing' form of the verb.
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Q30She admitted ___ the mistake yesterday.
Answer: B. making
When you say you did something wrong, you 'admit' doing it. Use the '-ing' form.
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Q31I went to the supermarket ___ some milk.
Answer: C. to buy
To explain why you did something (the purpose), use 'to' + the verb. Why did I go? To buy milk.
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Q32She studied hard ___ the exam.
Answer: C. to pass
We use 'to' + the verb to show the reason for an action. She studied 'to pass' the exam.
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Q33He turned on the TV ___ the news.
Answer: C. to watch
To show the reason or purpose, use 'to' + the verb. We don't use 'for watching' or 'watch' to explain why.
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Q34We need a knife ___ the bread.
Answer: B. to cut
Use 'to' + the verb to explain what an object is used for in this situation. We need a knife 'to cut' the bread.
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Q35I called my friend ___ her about the party.
Answer: B. to tell
Use 'to' + the verb to explain the reason for the phone call.
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Q36They worked hard ___ a new car.
Answer: C. to afford
To show the reason for working hard, use 'to' + the verb. We say 'to afford', not 'for afford' or 'affording'.
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Q37She went to the library ___ some books.
Answer: D. to borrow
Use 'to' + the verb to explain the reason for going to the library.
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Q38He exercised every day ___ fit.
Answer: B. to stay
Use 'to' + the verb to show the reason for exercising. We say 'to stay fit', not 'for stay'.
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Q39Which sentence is correct?
Answer: D. I went to the park to play soccer.
The phrase 'to play' explains the purpose of going to the park. Other phrases like 'for play' or 'for playing' are incorrect for this meaning.
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Q40Which sentence is correct?
Answer: B. She called to ask a question.
Use 'to' + the verb to explain why someone did an action. 'To ask' correctly shows the reason for the call.
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Q41Which sentence is correct?
Answer: D. They opened the window to let fresh air in.
To show the reason for opening the window, we use 'to' + the verb. 'To let fresh air in' explains why they did it.
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Q42Choose the correct version of the sentence:
Answer: C. I use this app to learn languages.
When explaining the purpose of using an app, we use 'to' + the verb. 'To learn' is the correct form.
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Q43Choose the correct version of the sentence:
Answer: B. I went to buy some bread.
We use 'to' + the verb to explain the reason for going somewhere. 'For buy' and 'for buying' are common mistakes.
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Q44Choose the correct version of the sentence:
Answer: A. She exercised to lose weight.
Use 'to' + the verb to explain the goal of an action. 'To lose weight' is the correct way to show the reason.
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Q45Choose the correct version of the sentence:
Answer: C. They stopped to take a break.
In this sentence, 'to take a break' explains why they stopped moving or working. We use 'to' + the verb for this reason.
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