Gerunds And Infinitives

Here is the full explanation:
Part I
The basic difference between gerunds and infinitives is the following:
Using a gerund suggests that you are referring
to real activities or experiences.

Using an infinitive suggests that you are
talking about potential or possible activities or experiences.

So let's say you eat ice cream every day. This is an actual action you are doing. Thenyou could say: "I like eating ice cream".

On the other hand, if you are on a diet, and you don't usually eat ice cream, then you are talking about a potential action. You could say: "I like to eat ice cream."

When used before the main verb, gerunds tend to sound more like natural English.

For example, the sentence "Playing tennis is a lot of fun" sounds more natural than "To play tennis isa lot of fun". The later sentence sounds more theoretical.
Part II
After the main verb, both gerunds and infinitives can be used.

The main verb in the sentence determines whether you use a gerund or an infinitive.

Some verbs take only a gerund.

Some verbs take only an infinitive.

Some verbs can take both gerunds and infinitives, with only a slight difference in the meaning (asexplained in Part I above).

A few verbs take both gerunds and infinitives, but with an significant difference in the meaning.
Part III
So when you need to decide which one to use, first check whether the main verb is limited only to gerunds, or only to infinitives.

If the verb is not on any of the lists, you can use the following guidelines:
• The word "go" + sports or recreational activitiesusually take a gerund.
Examples: "Let's go shopping", "They went skiing".
• After a preposition you should use a gerund.
Examples: "I will talk with you before going to lunch" "I am looking forward to working with you".
• Expressions with the words "have", "spend" and "waste" take a gerund.
Examples: "She had fun skiing", "He wasted all his time worrying".
• In many cases, theinfinitive form is used to show the intention or purpose.
Examples: "We are here to help", "He left to catch the train".
• The infinitive form is also used to show the reason.
Examples: "we were sad to hear about your difficulties", "She was shocked to learn the truth".
• If neither of these guidelines apply, simply use the principle in Part I above.
Does it describe a concrete action? Thenuse a gerund.
Does it describe a general or potential action? Then use an infinitive.
Examples: "As a painter, I truly love painting",
"I love to paint. I wish I would paint more often".
Anyhow, whenever you are in doubt, you can always use a dictionary to help you out! Oxford Advanced Learner's dictionary is a really good one to use. It shows you whether the verb requires a gerund, andinfinitive, or can take both. Just look at the data bellow the definition.

Note: for an advanced tutorial on the subject visit the EnglishPage tutorial on gerunds and infinitives.
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Gerunds and Infinitives Exercises
Gerunds and Infinitives Exercise 01
Gerunds and Infinitives Exercise 02
Gerunds and Infinitives Exercise 03
Gerunds and Infinitives Exercise 04http://inglesliliana.blogspot.com/p/grammar-activities-for.html
GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES
Put the correct form of the verb in brackets.
1.- My father dared __________ (argue) with the police officer.
2.- I can’t imagine __________ (live) in the city.
3.- We’ve decided __________ (go) to the cinema.
4.- I stopped __________ (play) basketball when I got married.
5.- I meant __________ (buy) some milk, but I forgot.
6.-Did you promise __________(take) the children to the circus?
7.- Have the men finished __________ (repair) the roof yet’
8.- I hope _________ (go) to China next summer.
9.- Why does Mary keep _________ (talk) about her father?
10.- We couldn’t afford _________ (live) in that house.
11.- Would you prefer _________ (pay) now or later?
12.- We’d love _________ (visit) Sweden.
13.- Would you...