Gerunds vs infinitives for plans, preferences and reactions
CEFR: B2
Read/Listen first
I kept planning our break but delays continued piling up. We decided to travel in late summer, then postponed it to avoid heavy traffic on the main road. I remember walking past a seaside fair as a child and I still enjoy stopping to watch the carousel spin. This year, I refused to rush. I wanted to take time, compare options, and choose routes with fewer queues. My partner suggested leaving earlier, and I agreed to try it after checking the forecast. When the wind rose, we considered skipping the rides, but the kids insisted on going once to take a quick photo. Later, we managed to find a quiet cafe and preferred sitting outside to enjoy the fresh air and a calm view. In the end, slowing down helped us notice small local places, meet friendly people, and appreciate being together more.⚡ Learning goals
- Can choose gerund or infinitive after common verbs.
- Can explain preferences and intentions clearly.
- Can narrate plans that changed with reasons.
✨ Key language
- decide to + verb ““We decided to travel in late summer.””
- enjoy + -ing ““I enjoy watching the carousel.””
- prefer + -ing/to + verb ““We preferred sitting outside.””
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Verbs followed by to-infinitive
Rule: Use to + verb for decisions, intentions or agreements.Examples: decided to travel; agreed to try it; wanted to take time
Common pitfall + fix: Using -ing after decide — Switch to the to-infinitive.
Choose the correct form.
Tip: Decide + to + verb.
Fill with the best answer: I agreed ____ leave earlier.
Tip: Agree + to + verb.
2️⃣ Verbs followed by -ing
Rule: Use -ing for memories, enjoyment and avoidance.Examples: remember walking; enjoy stopping; avoided rushing
Common pitfall + fix: Using to after enjoy — Use verb + -ing.
Pick the best option.
Tip: Enjoy + -ing.
Fill with the best answer: We considered ____ the rides because of wind.
Tip: Consider + -ing.
3️⃣ Prefer + -ing / to + verb
Rule: Prefer can take -ing or to + verb with similar meaning.Examples: preferred sitting outside; prefer to travel early; prefer walking to driving
Common pitfall + fix: Mixing prefer with would rather — Keep one pattern per sentence.
Choose the correct sentence.
Tip: Prefer + -ing is correct.
Fill with the best answer: I prefer ____ early to avoid queues.
Tip: Prefer + to + verb.
4️⃣ Insist on + -ing
Rule: Use insist on + -ing to show strong preference or demand.Examples: insisted on going once; insisted on taking a photo; insisted on waiting
Common pitfall + fix: Forgetting the preposition on — Use insist on + -ing.
Pick the correct option.
Tip: Use on + -ing.
Fill with the best answer: The kids insisted ____ taking a photo.
Tip: Insist on + -ing.
✍️ Vocabulary
queue
Meaning: a line of people waiting.Synonyms: line, file.
Chunk/Idiom: avoid queues.
Example: We left early to avoid queues.
Morphology: noun.
Self-practice: Describe a time you avoided a queue..
forecast
Meaning: a prediction of future weather.Synonyms: outlook, prediction.
Chunk/Idiom: check the forecast.
Example: We checked the forecast.
Morphology: noun.
Self-practice: State the forecast for tomorrow..
postpone
Meaning: to delay until later.Synonyms: delay, defer.
Chunk/Idiom: postpone a trip.
Example: We postponed the trip.
Morphology: verb.
Self-practice: Give a reason to postpone plans..
prefer
Meaning: to like one option more.Synonyms: favor, choose.
Chunk/Idiom: prefer sitting outside.
Example: We preferred sitting outside.
Morphology: verb.
Self-practice: Say what you prefer when traveling..
insist on
Meaning: to demand firmly.Synonyms: persist, demand.
Chunk/Idiom: insist on going.
Example: They insisted on going once.
Morphology: phrasal/verb.
Self-practice: Use insist on + -ing in a sentence..
manage to
Meaning: to succeed in doing something difficult.Synonyms: succeed, achieve.
Chunk/Idiom: managed to find.
Example: We managed to find a cafe.
Morphology: verb phrase.
Self-practice: Describe something you managed to do..
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
We decided to travel in late summer.
I enjoy watching the carousel at fairs.
They insisted on going once despite wind.
We preferred sitting outside at a cafe.
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
Choose the correct form after decide.
Tip: Decide + to + verb.
Pick the correct phrase with insist.
Tip: Use on + -ing.
Fill with the best answer:
I prefer ____ early to avoid queues.Tip: Prefer + to + verb.
Fill with the best answer:
We considered ____ the rides.Tip: Consider + -ing.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
Which word refers to waiting in line?
Tip: Queue means a line of people.
Which verb means delay?
Tip: Postpone = delay.
Fill with the best answer:
We checked the weather ____ before leaving.Tip: Prediction of weather.
Fill with the best answer:
We ____ to find a quiet cafe.Tip: Managed to + verb.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: Should we leave earlier or wait?B: Let’s leave earlier to avoid queues.
Why this matters:
Choosing the right form clarifies intent. Preferences sound natural with fixed patterns. Calm pacing reduces stress.Verb & Adjective Pack:
decide to — “Decide to travel off‑peak.”enjoy -ing — “Enjoy watching small moments.”
prefer -ing — “Prefer sitting outside when possible.”
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: We ____ to travel off‑peak to avoid traffic.
Tip: Past form of decide.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: They insisted go once.
Tip: Remember on + -ing.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
Tip: Stress prefer to + verb.