When one verb follows another, the second verb usually takes one of two forms: the -ing form, also called the gerund, or to + the base verb, also called the infinitive. There is no single rule that tells you which one to use; it depends mostly on the first verb. That is why it helps to learn verbs in groups, such as enjoy doing, want to do and ask someone to do.
A few general patterns do help. After a preposition, always use the -ing form (interested in learning). To explain why someone does something, use to + base verb (I came to help). And some verbs, such as stop, remember, forget and try, can take both forms, but the meaning changes.
How to use verb + -ing and verb + to
The first verb decides the pattern. The base verb is the verb without to (go, be, have).
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb + -ing | enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, suggest, keep + verb-ing | I enjoy swimming. Do you mind waiting? |
| Verb + to | want, decide, hope, plan, agree, refuse + to + base verb | We decided to stay. She refused to answer. |
| Verb + object + to | ask, tell, want, invite, advise + person + to + base verb | He asked me to help. I want you to come. |
| Both forms, little change | like, love, hate, prefer, start, begin, continue + verb-ing or to + base verb | It started raining. It started to rain. |
| Both forms, new meaning | stop, remember, forget, try + verb-ing or to + base verb | I stopped eating. I stopped to eat. |
| Preposition + -ing | in, at, of, about, for, without, before, after... + verb-ing | She's good at drawing. Thanks for calling. |
| Purpose | to + base verb (to say why) | I went out to buy some milk. |
| Negative | not + verb-ing / not + to + base verb | I hate not knowing the answer. He decided not to go. |
- The -ing form can also be the subject of a sentence: Swimming is good exercise. Learning a language takes time.
- In look forward to, be used to and get used to, to is a preposition, so it is followed by -ing: I'm looking forward to meeting you.
- Would like, would love and would prefer are normally followed by to: I'd like to order now (not I'd like ordering).
- After modal verbs (can, must, should, will) and after make and let + object, use the base verb without to: She can swim. My boss made me wait. Let me help you.
- Like + -ing and like to + base verb are both correct. Like to is especially common in American English (I like to cook), while British English often prefers like + -ing for things you enjoy (I like cooking).
When to use gerunds and infinitives
1. Verbs followed by -ing
Some verbs are followed by the -ing form, never by to. Common ones are enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, suggest, keep, practice, miss, imagine, consider and give up.
- I really enjoy cooking for my friends.
- Would you mind closing the window?
- He kept asking the same question.
2. Verbs followed by to + base verb
Many verbs, especially ones about plans, decisions, hopes and promises, are followed by to + base verb: want, decide, hope, plan, agree, refuse, promise, expect, learn, need, offer, manage, afford and seem.
- We decided to rent an apartment downtown.
- She refused to pay for the broken glass.
- I hope to see you again soon.
3. Verbs with an object + to
Some verbs need a person (the object) between the verb and to: ask, tell, want, invite, advise, allow, remind, teach and encourage. After want, use this pattern instead of a that-clause: I want you to stay (not I want that you stay).
- My mom asked me to call her when I landed.
- The teacher told us to open our books.
- Can you remind me to buy some eggs?
4. Verbs that take both forms (like, love, start, begin)
After like, love, hate, prefer, start, begin and continue, you can use either form with little or no change in meaning. When start or begin is itself in the -ing form, use to: It's starting to rain. A few other verbs, such as stop, remember, forget and try, take both forms but change their meaning (see the table below).
- It started raining. / It started to rain.
- I love walking in the rain. / I love to walk in the rain.
- They continued working. / They continued to work.
5. After prepositions: always -ing
After a preposition (in, on, at, about, of, for, without, before, after, by), use the -ing form. This includes expressions where to is a preposition: look forward to, be used to and get used to.
- She's interested in learning Korean.
- You can't leave without saying goodbye.
- I'm looking forward to seeing you next week.
6. To say why: to + base verb
Use to + base verb to explain the purpose of an action, that is, why someone does it. In formal English, in order to is also common. Don't use for + -ing for this; for + -ing describes what a thing is used for (a knife for cutting bread).
- I went to the store to buy some milk.
- She's saving money to buy a car.
- We got up early to catch the first train.
Common verbs and the form that follows them
- enjoy + -ing
- avoid + -ing
- finish + -ing
- mind + -ing
- suggest + -ing
- keep + -ing
- give up + -ing
- want + to
- decide + to
- hope + to
- plan + to
- agree + to
- refuse + to
- afford + to
- ask someone + to
- tell someone + to
- like/love + -ing or to
- start/begin + -ing or to
Stop, remember, forget and try take both forms, but the meaning changes (see the table below). Would like takes to: I'd like to come.
Examples
Positive
- I enjoy reading before bed.
- We've decided to move to Seattle.
- My doctor told me to drink more water.
- She's thinking about changing jobs.
Negative
- I don't mind waiting a few more minutes.
- He promised not to tell anyone.
- I can't afford to buy a new laptop right now.
- She regrets not studying harder in college.
Questions
- Do you feel like going out tonight?
- Would you like to join us for dinner?
- Have you finished cleaning your room?
- Did your boss ask you to work late again?
Stop, remember, forget and try: -ing or to?
These four verbs can take both forms, but the meaning changes. With stop, remember and forget, the -ing form looks back at an action that was already happening or had already happened, and to + base verb looks forward to an action that comes next. With try, -ing means doing something as an experiment, and to means making an effort.
| Verb + -ing | Verb + to |
|---|---|
| I stopped eating sugar. (I don't eat it anymore.) | On the way home, I stopped to buy some bread. (I stopped so that I could buy it.) |
| I remember meeting her at a wedding. (I have a memory of it.) | Remember to call your grandma. (Don't forget to do it.) |
| I'll never forget seeing the ocean for the first time. (a memory that will stay) | I forgot to send the email. (I didn't send it.) |
| Try adding some lemon. It might taste better. (do it to see what happens) | I tried to open the jar, but it was too tight. (I made an effort but failed.) |
Common mistakes
- WrongI enjoy to read in the evenings.RightI enjoy reading in the evenings.
Enjoy is always followed by the -ing form, never by to.
- WrongI'm looking forward to see you.RightI'm looking forward to seeing you.
In look forward to, to is a preposition, so the next verb takes -ing.
- WrongI want that you come to my party.RightI want you to come to my party.
Want takes an object + to + base verb, not a that-clause.
- WrongShe suggested to go to the beach.RightShe suggested going to the beach.
Suggest is followed by the -ing form or a that-clause (She suggested that we go), not by to.
- WrongI went to the bank for getting some cash.RightI went to the bank to get some cash.
To say why someone does something, use to + base verb, not for + -ing.
- WrongThank you for help me with my homework.RightThank you for helping me with my homework.
For is a preposition, so the verb after it takes the -ing form.
Learning to cook
Examples of gerunds and infinitives are highlighted.
Last year, Omar decided to learn how to cook. He was tired of eating takeout every night, and he wanted to save some money. At first, he avoided making anything complicated. He practiced boiling pasta and frying eggs until he stopped burning them. His roommate kept giving him advice, which Omar didn't mind hearing. One day, he invited his parents over and promised to make a real dinner. He remembered to buy fresh herbs, but he forgot to turn on the oven! His mother suggested ordering pizza. Omar refused to give up. He tried cooking the chicken in a pan instead, and it was delicious. Now he enjoys inviting friends over, and he's thinking about taking a cooking class.
Gerunds and Infinitives quiz
8 questions. Choose an answer to see if it is right and why.
Read texts that use gerunds and infinitives
Grammar sticks when you meet it again in real reading. These graded texts use this structure; each one has key words, audio and questions.
Gerunds and Infinitives: questions and answers
What is the difference between a gerund and an infinitive?
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used like a noun: Swimming is fun. I enjoy swimming. An infinitive is to + the base verb: I want to swim. After another verb, the first verb decides which form you need.
How do I know whether to use -ing or to after a verb?
There is no single rule, so learn the most common verbs in groups: enjoy, avoid, finish, mind and suggest take -ing, while want, decide, hope, plan and refuse take to. A good learner's dictionary shows the pattern for each verb in its example sentences.
Why is it "looking forward to seeing you" and not "to see you"?
In look forward to, to is a preposition, not part of an infinitive, and a verb after a preposition takes -ing. The same is true for be used to and get used to: I'm used to getting up early.
Is it "I like swimming" or "I like to swim"?
Both are correct, and the meaning is almost the same. Like to + verb is especially common in American English, while British English often prefers like + -ing for things you enjoy. After would like, use to: I'd like to swim.
What is the difference between "stop doing" and "stop to do"?
Stop doing means you no longer do an activity: I stopped drinking coffee. Stop to do means you stop what you are doing so that you can do something else: We stopped to get gas.