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Introduction to Exercise 6 - Using infinitives (to act) or gerunds (acting)
Grammar Explanation

Whether to use an infinitive (e.g., to go) or a gerund (e.g., going) depends on what comes before the gerund or the infinitive.
•  Some verbs are always followed by infinitives.
  • Example: Several drug users volunteered to participate in the survey.
    PDFDownload a list of common verbs and adjectives followed by infinitives (PDF).
•  Some verbs are always followed by gerunds.
  • Example: A few of the participants avoided answering the questions.
    PDFDownload a list of common verbs followed by gerunds (PDF).
•  Some verbs can be followed by infinitives or gerunds.
  • Examples: They preferred keeping details of their drug use a secret.
    They preferred to answer those questions that were less direct.
    PDFDownload a list of common verbs followed by either gerunds or infinitives (PDF).
•  Some adjectives, such as difficult and interesting, are always followed by infinitives.
  • Example: It was difficult to convince the survey participants that their responses would be kept anonymous.
    PDFDownload a list of common verbs and adjectives followed by infinitives (PDF).
•  Prepositions, such as about, of, are always followed by gerunds.
  • Example: The research subjects were afraid of revealing something about themselves that might get them in trouble with the law.
PDF Download Grammar Explanation (PDF)
What You Will Do

Read the following passages. Then type in the gerund or infinitive form of each verb from the list in the correct space. When finished, click DONE. The correct answers will remain in the text, while the incorrect ones will be deleted. You will have as many chances as you need to complete the passage. After the third try, however, you will be given a SHOW ANSWER button. Please note: Type carefully! Verbs that are spelled incorrectly will not be accepted.  
 
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