Gerundios e Infinitivos en Inglés: Guía Completa, Ejemplos y Test
La correcta utilización de verbos seguidos de gerundio (`-ing`) o infinitivo (`to...`) es una de las mayores dificultades para los estudiantes de inglés. Esta guía te ayudará a dominar los patrones más importantes, las reglas clave y las excepciones que te permitirán comunicarte con mayor precisión y fluidez.
1. Patrones de Verbos Comunes
Aprende a qué verbos siguen un gerundio (`-ing`) y a cuáles un infinitivo (`to...`).
Verbos seguidos de -ing (Gerundio)
Estructura: Sujeto + Verbo + -ing. Verbos comunes: `enjoy`, `mind`, `stop`, `finish`, `avoid`.
I enjoy reading books.
Would you mind closing the door?
Chris suggested going to the cinema.
Suddenly everybody stopped talking.
I’ll do the shopping when I’ve finished cleaning the flat.
He tried to avoid answering my question.
I don’t fancy going out this evening.
They denied doing anything wrong.
I don’t mind not having to get up early.
You keep interrupting when I’m talking.
Verbos seguidos de to... (Infinitivo)
Estructura: Sujeto + Verbo + to.... Verbos comunes: `decide`, `agree`, `hope`, `manage`, `promise`.
It was a long way to walk, so we decided to take a taxi home.
I agreed to help him.
I waved to Karen, but failed to attract her attention.
I like Dan, but I think he tends to talk too much.
We decided not to go out because of the weather.
I pretended to be reading the newspaper.
I seem to have lost my keys.
We asked how to get to the station.
Can somebody show me how to use this camera?
He denied having stolen the money.
Verbos con cambio de significado: `remember`, `stop`, `try`
El uso del gerundio o infinitivo puede cambiar completamente el significado de estos verbos.
I remembered to lock the door. (Recordé la tarea)
I remember locking the door. (Recuerdo el hecho)
He stopped smoking last year. (Dejó el hábito)
We stopped to have a coffee. (Nos detuvimos para tomar café)
I regret saying that to him. (Lamento lo que dije)
We regret to inform you that... (Lamentamos dar esta noticia)
She tried to open the door. (Hizo un esfuerzo, pero no lo logró)
She tried opening the door. (Probó una acción como experimento)
I need to charge my phone.
My phone needs charging. (Necesita ser cargado)
2. Estructuras con Preposiciones y Cláusulas
El uso de gerundios e infinitivos también está ligado a preposiciones, adjetivos y cláusulas de propósito.
Preposiciones, Adjetivos y Verbos de Percepción
La regla general es que la preposición va seguida de un gerundio.
I'm interested in learning a new language.
Thank you for helping me.
I’m used to living alone.
The hotel is a short walk from here. It’s not worth getting a taxi.
I had no trouble finding a place to stay.
I was afraid to go near the dog. (No me atrevía)
I was afraid of being bitten. (Tenía miedo de que pasara)
I saw him cross the street. (Acción completa)
I saw him crossing the street. (Acción en progreso)
He hurt his knee playing football. (Cláusula -ing)
Propósito y Estructuras Causativas
Se usan infinitivos para expresar propósito y el causativo para describir un servicio.
I called the restaurant to reserve a table.
I saved money so that I could travel.
This brush is for washing the dishes.
It was nice of you to take me to the airport.
She’s getting her car washed.
We were made to wait for two hours.
I had my hair cut yesterday.
I would rather you didn’t tell anyone.
I prefer to live in the country rather than live in a city.
I’m looking forward to seeing you.
Resumen Comparativo de Gerundios e Infinitivos
Aclara las diferencias entre las estructuras más confusas para usarlas correctamente.
`remember to...` vs `remember -ing`
remember to...: Recordar una tarea pendiente.
Remember to buy milk.
remember -ing: Recordar un evento o recuerdo pasado.
I remember meeting him.
`used to` vs `be used to`
used to...: Hábito o estado en el pasado que ya no existe.
I used to live in Paris.
be used to -ing: Estar acostumbrado a algo.
I am used to living in Paris.
`see somebody do` vs `see somebody doing`
see somebody do: Ver la acción completa de principio a fin.
I saw him fall.
see somebody doing: Ver la acción en progreso.
I saw him falling.
¡Test de Práctica!
Completa las oraciones con la forma correcta del verbo (`-ing` o `to...`). Escribe la respuesta en los espacios en blanco. Si hay dos verbos, sepáralos por un espacio.
Presiona el botón para empezar el test.
