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) 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.

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1) meeting   2) talking   3) to get   4) having

5) to become   6) to think   7) to make

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) 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.

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1) living   2) Going   3) Losing   4) making   5) Driving

6) finishing   7) Keeping

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 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.

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1) d shut   2) e ringing   3) a shaking   4) f coming

5) b score   6) c crawling

4. Choose the correct words to complete the text.

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

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1) not say   2) pretend   3) wait   4) let   5) not cause

6) leave   7) not be

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 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

Show answers

1) c   2) d   3) a   4) a   5) c   6) b

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)

 ________

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

__________________

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1) Why don’t you ask the teacher if you don’t understand?

2) Would you rather have chips or potatoes?

3) She didn’t mean to upset anyone.

4) She didn’t remember to post the parcel yesterday.

5) You’d better not spend ages on the computer before bed.

6) Alex has stopped talking to him since they fell out.

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 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 ______________ tracksuit, but I didn’t bring trainers, so I can’t go running.

Show answers

1) to ask   2) arguing   3) Swimming   4) get   5) waste

6) to pack

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