Require and dread: gerund vs. infinitive

Dear B.,

Here are the answers to your questions:

Hello John,

I did the exercises below and I wonder about the nuance between:
The certification program requires me to take several tests.
The certification program requires my taking several tests.

I prefer the first sentence to the second.  I would not use the possessive personal pronoun with the gerund after the verb ‘require’, although one can use a noun, and say the following:

The certification program requires my participation in several tests.

Having said that, one can use the gerund after a possessive personal pronoun when dealing with verbs that are always used with the gerund, e.g., I enjoyed his joining us.  However, I would avoid such usage with verbs which can be used with both the gerund and infinitive.

What's the difference between:
I dread to think of what might happen next.
I dread going to work tomorrow.

The two uses are explained at the following link: http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerund_or_infinitive_different_list.htm
There is no difference in meanings, but the infinitive usage is restricted to the verbs ‘think’ and ‘consider’.

Thank you for your help.

B.

All the best,

John