INFINITIVE  &  GERUND

A) Form

* He should avoid smoking   (gerund) 

* She wanted to leave   (infinitive with “to” or “full infinitive”)

*You had better work   (infinitive without “to” or “bare infinitive”)

 B) Gerund 

1)We use “gerund” after prepositions:

*She entered without knocking   at the door.

 *The children carried on  playing  despite the rain.

  
*They accused him of  lying

  
*Before  crossing   the street, the boy made sure that no car was coming.

 *The police released them after being  exonerated by the court.

 2) We use “gerund” after certain expressions:

  
*I can’t help  looking  at her; she’s so beautiful.

   
 *He looks impatient; he can’t stand waiting.

   
 *I look forward to hearing from you.

  
 *There is no use crying about spilt milk.

  
 *This book is worth  reading.

  
 *She can’t bear  looking at his ugly face.

*I can't resist having anther cup of milk.

3) We use gerund after certain verbs:

Avoid   / admit / dread / dislike / detest /  enjoy /  keep (continue) / stop / mind/ suggest / spend / finish / deny / regret / consider / imagine/ fancy/ spend/ feel like/ be used to.

*She regretted  spending  her money on useless things.