This paper examines the factors which govern the use of infinitives and gerunds after verbs and uses American literature and periodicals since 1945 for examples of this usage. The analysis was undertaken in order to clarify this usage for those teaching or learning English as a second language. Studies yielded three general rules for the use of either the "verb plus infinitive" or the "verb plus gerund" construction. These are: (1) generally, the infinitive structure is used; (2) sometimes one construction is preferred over the other because of rhythm, euphony, or style; (3) the use of the gerund construction may indicate progression. (AM)