Question 1

What is the difference between consider and think about?

Accepted Answer

"Consider" and "think about" have similar meanings, and both take gerunds: "I'm considering moving" and "I'm thinking about moving" both describe reflecting on a possibility. However, "consider" sounds slightly more formal and suggests more serious thought. In business English, "We are considering expanding" sounds more professional than "We are thinking about expanding." Both are correct, but Cambridge exams often test "consider" because it is the more formal option. Remember that you cannot say "consider to move" — the gerund is required after "consider" in all situations.

Question 2

How is manage different from other infinitive verbs?

Accepted Answer

"Manage" + infinitive has a special meaning: it emphasises that something was difficult but you succeeded. "I managed to finish the project" means "I finished the project, and it was challenging." Compare this to simple "finish" which has no difficulty meaning. Other verbs with similar "success despite difficulty" meanings include "succeed in" (+ gerund) and "be able to" (+ infinitive). "Manage" is useful when you want to describe overcoming an obstacle: "Despite the traffic, we managed to arrive on time." Cambridge B2 First often tests this verb in reading comprehension.

Question 3

Why does "keep" always take a gerund?

Accepted Answer

"Keep" + gerund describes a continuing or repeated action: "He keeps talking" means he talks again and again, or he does not stop talking. The gerund fits naturally because it describes ongoing activity. You cannot say "keeps to talk" — this is always wrong. Related expressions also require gerunds: "keep on" + gerund ("keep on trying") and "can't keep from" + gerund ("I can't keep from laughing"). In exams, "keep" is often tested with other continuous-meaning verbs like "go on" and "carry on," which also take gerunds: "She went on speaking" and "They carried on working."

Gerunds and Infinitives: Common Verbs (Part 2)

Quick Rule

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Gerunds and Infinitives Error Correction

Common Gerund and Infinitive Verbs

Preposition + Gerund

-ed vs -ing Adjectives

Conditionals

Present Perfect