English Grammar Exercises for B2 – Infinitives and -ing forms

1. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

1   I don’t remember …………………………. (meet) him before, although he looks familiar.

2   It’s very rude when people stop …………………………. (talk) to you and answer their phone.

3   They meant …………………………. (get) off the bus at the last stop, but they missed it.

4   Do you regret not …………………………. (have) a party for your birthday?

5   My brother graduated from university and went on …………………………. (become) a vet.

6   If you stopped …………………………. (think) for a moment, I’m sure you’d find a solution.

7   He tried not …………………………. (make) too much noise when he got home.

2. Complete the sentences with the -ing form of the words below.

drive      finish      go      keep      live      lose      make

1   Sam discovered that ………………………… in a city was more expensive than in a village.

2   ………………………… to the gym twice a week will make a real difference to your fitness.

3   ………………………… the match was disappointing after the team had tried so hard.

4   My mother taught me that ………………………… fun of other people isn’t nice.

5   ………………………… has become quite expensive as the cost of fuel continues to rise.

6   Don’t worry about ………………………… the cleaning now – we can do it later.

7   ………………………… cool in the summer can be a real problem in some countries.

3. Match the sentences halves. Then complete the sentences with the -ing form or the infinitive of the verbs in brackets.

1   If you heard someone

2   We have to get out – can’t you hear

3   It was a really strong earthquake; we felt

4   We stood and watched the parade

5   Did you see him

6   I was horrified to feel

a   the ground ………………………… (shake) for several minutes.

b   ………………………… (score) that last goal? It was amazing!

c   something ………………………… (crawl) slowly up my leg as I was lying in bed.

d   ………………………… (shut) the door then he must have already gone out.

e   the fire alarm ………………………… (ring)?

f   ………………………… (come) down the street while everyone cheered.

4. Choose the correct words to complete the text.

Many people would rather ¹ say / not say anything when they experience bad service. For example, in a restaurant, they would sooner ² pretend / not pretend that their meal was fine, even if they didn’t really enjoy it. But why ³ wait / not wait until afterwards, then tell your friends about it? Surely you’d sooner ⁴ let / not let those responsible know that there’s a problem? For some reason, many of us think we’d better ⁵ cause / not cause a fuss, but would you really rather ⁶ leave / not leave a shop or restaurant feeling that you’ve been cheated? Why ⁷ be / not be more assertive next time you have a genuine complaint?

5. Choose the correct answers (a-d) to complete the sentences.

1   If it’s still snowing, why …….. a cab home?

     a   not getting   b   get       

     c   not get          d   getting

2   I’m sure my parents would rather …….. to the theatre than a night club!

     a   going        b   not going       

     c   not go       d   go

3   …….. in the corridor isn’t allowed.

     a   Running   b   Not run       

     c   Run           d   Not running

4   She didn’t mean …….. so much salt in the curry.

     a   to put          b   putting       

     c   not to put    d   not putting

5   Did you see anyone …….. suspiciously last night?

     a   not behaving   b   to behave       

     c   behaving          d   not behave

6   Would you sooner …….. at home this evening or go into town?

     a   staying       b   stay       

     c   to stay        d   not stay

6. Rewrite the sentences so that they have a similar meaning. Use the word in brackets.

1   If you don’t understand, you should ask the teacher. (why)

     ……………………………………

2   Would you prefer chips or potatoes? (rather)

     ……………………………………

3   It wasn’t her intention to upset anyone. (mean)

     ……………………………………

4   She forgot to post the parcel yesterday. (remember)

     ……………………………………

5   Don’t spend ages on the computer before bed. (better)

     ……………………………………

6. Alex won’t talk to him since they fell out. (stopped)

     ……………………………………

7. Complete the sentences with the infinitive, the infinitive without to or the -ing form of the verbs below.

argue      ask      get      pack      swim      waste

1   I’ve been meaning …………………………… about your job interview.

2   I think my brother has fallen out with his girlfriend. I heard them …………………………… last night.

3   …………………………… is not advisable when there is a storm warning.

4   I’d rather …………………………… a takeaway than cook dinner tonight.

5   Why …………………………… time in front of the TV when you could be outside in the sunshine?

6   I remembered …………………………… my tracksuit, but I didn’t bring my trainers, so I can’t go running.