Gerunds and infinitives exercise for B2 - Free Printable

Let's solve this grammar exercise on gerunds and infinitives. The goal is to fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb — either a gerund (verb + -ing) or an infinitive (to + verb).

Here’s the completed version with explanations:

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1. The householder tried ________ (fit) a burglar alarm to the house to deter thieves.
✔ to fit
👉 *Try* is followed by an infinitive when it means "attempt to do something."
> ✔ "tried to fit" = attempted to install.

2. I remember ________ (read) about that kidnapping case in the papers some years ago.
✔ reading
👉 *Remember* + gerund = recall having done something in the past.
> ✔ "remember reading" = I recall having read it.

3. I regret ________ (inform) you that your car tax has expired.
✔ to inform
👉 *Regret* + infinitive = feel sorry to do something (here, the action hasn't happened yet).
> ✔ "regret to inform" = I'm sorry to tell you.

4. Selling my car will mean ________ (walk) home in the dark every night.
✔ walking
👉 *Mean* + gerund = result or consequence.
> ✔ "mean walking" = it will result in walking.

5. I'm sure Peter didn't mean ________ (hurt) the little girl – he only pushed her.
✔ to hurt
👉 *Mean* + infinitive = intend to do something.
> ✔ "didn't mean to hurt" = didn't intend to harm.

6. I wasn't shoplifting – I just forgot ________ (pay) for the scarf.
✔ to pay
👉 *Forget* + infinitive = fail to do something (in the past).
> ✔ "forgot to pay" = didn’t remember to pay.

7. I regret not ________ (tell) the police about my suspicions.
✔ telling
👉 *Regret* + gerund = feel sorry about something already done.
> ✔ "regret not telling" = I’m sorry I didn’t tell.

8. Although he'd been arrested for drunk driving he continued ________ (drink and drive) just the same.
✔ drinking and driving
👉 *Continue* + gerund = keep doing something.
> ✔ "continued drinking and driving" = kept doing both actions.

9. I like ________ (keep) an eye on my neighbours' houses when they are away.
✔ keeping
👉 *Like* + gerund = enjoy doing something regularly.
> ✔ "like keeping" = I enjoy watching over their houses.

10. The policeman talked about robbery in general and then he went on ________ (talk) about sentencing.
✔ to talk
👉 *Go on* + infinitive = continue to do something (new topic).
> ✔ "went on to talk" = then started talking about sentencing.

11. I was mugged as I stopped ________ (do up) my shoelace.
✔ to do up
👉 *Stop* + infinitive = cease in order to do something else.
> ✔ "stopped to do up" = paused in order to tie my shoe.

12. Susan tried ________ (run) after the pickpocket but although she's a good runner she couldn't catch him.
✔ to run
👉 *Try* + infinitive = attempt to do something.
> ✔ "tried to run" = made an effort to chase him.

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Final Answers:

1. to fit
2. reading
3. to inform
4. walking
5. to hurt
6. to pay
7. telling
8. drinking and driving
9. keeping
10. to talk
11. to do up
12. to run

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Summary of Rules Used:

| Verb/Phrase | Structure | Example |
|------------|----------|--------|
| try to do | infinitive | tried to fit |
| remember doing | gerund | remember reading |
| regret to do | infinitive | regret to inform |
| regret doing | gerund | regret not telling |
| mean to do | infinitive | didn't mean to hurt |
| forget to do | infinitive | forgot to pay |
| continue doing | gerund | continued drinking |
| like doing | gerund | like keeping |
| go on to do | infinitive | went on to talk |
| stop to do | infinitive | stopped to do up |
| try to do | infinitive | tried to run |

Let me know if you’d like a printable version or further explanation!