“He wanted TO kiss her” – gerunds & infinitives

A common problem for many learners, especially at B1 and B2 level, and even for those preparing for the Cambridge First (FCE) exam, is knowing what patterns come after some frequently-occurring verbs.

For example, some verbs are commonly followed by an infinitive (eg TO DO), while others are followed by a noun or gerund (eg DOING).

Below is a short exercise to revise what I’ve done in class with a few students recently, and the answers and notes are downloadable below.

Put the verbs in an appropriate form:

Example: He wanted ….to kiss….her. (kiss)

1. “She really enjoyed ……………………………………. with him.” (chat)
2. “It’s quite stuffy in here. Would you mind ……………………………………. the window?” (open)
3. She claimed ……………………………………. the best candidate for the job. (be)
4. “I recommend ……………………………………. the gardens – they’re really beautiful.” (check out)
5. “I’m tired of this Prague weather. Just imagine …………………………………….. on the beach in Australia, away from all the clouds and rain..” (lie)
6. “I thought about ……………………………………. in Big Corp, but I read they were having problems.” (invest)
7. “I expect ……………………………………. at about 2 o’clock. Will someone be waiting for me?” (arrive)
8. “They agreed ……………………………………. anyone about their problems.” (not tell)
9. “Thank you again to those who offered ……………………………………..” (help)
10. He planned …………………………………….. to her on the Eiffel Tower. (propose)
11. “Guess what – I’ve decided ……………………………………. to Japan!” (move)
12. “This is great, but can I suggest ……………………………………. it later? I’m really tired, sorry.” (do)
13. “I wonder if he misses …………………………………….with me.” (talk)
14. “He threatened ……………………………………. my boyfriend about it.” (tell)
15. The President promised ……………………………………. millions of new jobs. (create)
16. “I don’t like it how the rich avoid ……………………………………. taxes.” (pay)
17. He denied ……………………………………. the money. (take)
18. “I look a complete mess. I’m not prepared ……………………………………. him just yet.” (see)
19. She admitted ……………………………………. on her boyfriend. (cheat)
20. “Absolutely not, I refuse ……………………………………. that!” (do)
21. “I’m considering ……………………………………. a house in the country.” (buy)

Download worksheet & answers

Get it here:

He wanted to kiss her

Read more

“She denied kissING the pig or she denied TO kiss the pig?”

Photo credits

Image David Sweetnam