Verbs + Infinitive or -ING

Verbs + Infinitive

Here are some common verbs in English that are followed by the infinitive:

• decide
  She decided to study biology, not physics.
• help
  Can you help me to carry these boxes?
  It’s very common to remove the word “to”:
  Can you help me carry these boxes?
• hope
  We hope to hear from you soon.
  I hope it doesn’t rain this weekend.
• learn
  She’s learning to swim.
  It’s very common to add the word “how” if you are learning a new skill:
  I’m learning how to cook.
• need
  I need to go to the supermarket. We don’t have any eggs.
• offer
  My friend offered to take me to the airport.
• plan
  We’re planning to have a big party when our son graduates from college.
• pretend
  He pretended to be sick so that he didn’t have to take the test.
• promise
  He promised to call me back as soon as possible.
• try
  I’m trying to read this book, but it’s too difficult.
• want
  I want to learn English so that I can study in the U.S.
• would like
  I’d like to travel to France someday.

Special Case #1: REMEMBER / FORGET

We use remember + infinitive and forget + infinitive to talk about the future, to give a reminder:

• Remember to bring your dictionary tomorrow!
• Don’t forget to pay the rent next week.

Verbs + -ING

Here are some common verbs in English that are followed by -ing.

• avoid
  You should avoid eating after 10 PM.
• enjoy
  I enjoy skiing, surfing, and playing tennis.
• finish
  Have you finished reading the newspaper yet?
• can’t stand
  I can’t stand going to parties where I don’t know anyone.
• don’t mind
  I don’t mind working overtime.
• look forward to
  I look forward to seeing you next week.
• practice
  I need to practice speaking English more often.
• spend (time)
  My roommate spends hours watching TV.
• stop
  He stopped smoking ten years ago.
• suggest
  I suggest taking some time off.

Special Case #1: REMEMBER / FORGET

We use remember + -ing and forget + -ing to talk about the past, to talk about a memory:

• I remember having dinner with my grandparents every Sunday when I was a child.
• I’ll never forget eating lobster for the first time – it was delicious!

Special Case #2: START / LIKE / LOVE / HATE

Start, like, love, and hate can be used with the infinitive or -ing.
Both are correct!

• The baby started to cry.
  = The baby started crying.
• I like to run.
  = I like running.
• I hate doing laundry. (this form is probably more common)
  = I hate to do laundry.
• We love reading.
  = We love to read.