When studying advanced English grammar, understanding whether to use a to-infinitive or gerund after a verb is essential for proper sentence structure. Some verbs take only a to-infinitive, others take only a gerund, and some can take both with similar or entirely different meanings.
Some verbs take a to-infinitive, and others take a gerund.
To-infinitive: I decided to take a taxi.
Gerund: I suggested taking a taxi.
Verbs Followed by a To-Infinitive
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| afford | expect | ought |
| agree | fail | plan |
| aim | get (= succeed) | prepare |
| appear | grow | pretend |
| arrange | guarantee | promise |
| ask | happen | prove |
| attempt | hasten | refuse |
| be | have | seek |
| be dying | help | seem |
| beg | hesitate | swear |
| can't wait | hope | tend |
| care (= want) | learn | threaten |
| choose | long | train |
| claim | manage | turn out |
| come | neglect | undertake |
| dare | offer | used |
| decide | omit | wish |
| demand |
Verbs Followed by a Gerund
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| admit | escape | permit |
| advise | excuse | postpone |
| allow | face | practise |
| anticipate | fancy (= want) | put off |
| appreciate | finish | quit |
| avoid | give up | recommend |
| can't help | imagine | resent |
| confess | involve | resist |
| consider | justify | resume |
| delay | keep (on) | risk |
| deny | leave off | save |
| detest | mention | stand |
| dislike | mind | suggest |
| enjoy | miss | tolerate |
Important Notes on Single-Form Verbs
- Afford (= have enough money/time) and stand (= tolerate) go after can/could or be able to. They are often in a negative sentence or a question.
Do you think we'll be able to afford to go to India? I can't stand sitting around doing nothing. - We can use agree with a to-infinitive but not accept.
Brian agreed to pay half the cost. NOT Brian accepted to pay half. - We use be dying (= want very much) only in the continuous. I'm dying to have a swim./I'm dying for a swim.
- Care and mind are normally in a negative sentence or a question.
Would you care to come along with us? Do you mind carrying this bag for me? - After help we can leave out to.
We all helped (to) put up the tent. - When advise, recommend, allow or permit has another object, it takes a to-infinitive.
I advised taking a taxi.
They don't allow sunbathing here.
I advised the girls to take a taxi.
They don't allow people to sunbathe here.
Some verbs can take either a to-infinitive or a gerund with almost no difference in meaning.
I hate to leave/hate leaving everything to the last minute.
When the President appeared, the crowd began to cheer/began cheering.
We intend to take/intend taking immediate action.
These verbs are begin, bother, can't bear, cease, commence, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start.
Notes on Verbs Taking Either Form
- With verbs of liking and hating, sometimes the gerund gives a sense of the action really happening, while the infinitive often points to a possible action.
I hate doing the same thing all the time. It gets really boring sometimes. I'd hate to do the same thing all the time. I'm lucky my job is so interesting. - Like, love and hate usually take a gerund, but would like, would love and would hate normally take a to-infinitive.
I love swimming. I swim nearly every day.
I'd love to go for a swim. It's such a lovely day. - Like takes a to-infinitive when it means that something is a good idea, rather than a pleasure.
I like to keep all these papers in order.
Compare these two sentences:
I didn't like to complain. (= I didn't complain because it wasn't a good idea.)
I didn't like complaining. (= I complained, but I didn't enjoy it.) - When the main verb has a continuous form, we normally avoid using another ing-form after it.
The spectators were already beginning to arrive. NOT beginning arriving - After start, begin and continue, a state verb usually has the to-infinitive form.
soon began to understand what the problems were.
The to-infinitive and gerund have different meanings after remember, forget; regret; dread; try; stop; mean; go on; need, want, require and deserve.
Remember and Forget
We use remember and forget with a to-infinitive to talk about necessary actions and whether we do them or not.
Did you remember to turn off the electricity? You forgot to sign the cheque. ~ Oh, sorry.
We use a gerund to talk about memories of the past.
I'll never forget breaking down in the middle of Glasgow. It was awful.
I don't know. I can't remember turning it off.
Note: We can use a finite clause instead of a gerund clause.
I'll never forget (the time) when we broke down.
I can't remember if/whether I turned it off.
Regret
We use regret + to-infinitive for a present action, especially when giving bad news. We use a gerund to express regret about the past.
We regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful.
I regret wasting/regret having wasted so much time last year.
Dread
We use dread + to-infinitive mainly in the expression I dread to think/imagine...
We use a gerund for something that causes fear.
I dread to think what might happen to you all alone in a big city. I always dreaded being kissed by my aunts.
Try
Try + to-infinitive means 'attempt to do' and try + gerund means 'do something which might solve the problem'.
I'm trying to light a fire, but this wood won't burn. ~ Why don't you try pouring some petrol on it?
Note: In informal English we can use try and instead of try to.
Let's try and move the cupboard away from the wall.
Stop
After stop we often use the to-infinitive of purpose. But stop + gerund means to end an action.
At the next services he stopped to buy a newspaper. You'd better stop dreaming and get on with some work.
Mean
Mean + to-infinitive has the sense of 'intend'. But mean + gerund expresses result, what is involved in something.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to step on your foot.
I have to be at the airport by nine. It means getting up early.
Go on
Go on + to-infinitive means to do something different, to do the next thing. Go on + ing-form means to continue doing something.
After receiving the award, the actor went on to thank all the people who had helped him in his career.
The band went on playing even after everyone had left.
Need, Want, and Deserve
We usually use need, want and deserve with a to-infinitive.
We need to leave at eight. Tony wants to borrow your typewriter.
A gerund after these verbs has a passive meaning.
The typewriter needs/wants cleaning.
Key Takeaways
- Some English verbs are strictly followed by a to-infinitive, while others require a gerund.
- Certain verbs accept either form with little to no change in meaning (e.g., begin, hate, intend).
- Verbs like remember, stop, try, and mean completely change their meaning depending on whether they take a to-infinitive or a gerund.
- Gerunds following verbs like need and want carry a passive meaning.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding by dropping your answers in the comments below:
- Complete the sentence using the correct form (stop): "Please stop __________ (make) that noise!"
- Complete the sentence using the correct form (remember): "Did you remember __________ (lock) the front door?"
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between "try to do" and "try doing"?
"Try to do" means to make an attempt at something, whereas "try doing" means to test out a potential method or solution to a problem.
Can verbs of liking take both infinitives and gerunds?
Yes, verbs like like, love, and hate can take both. However, the gerund usually emphasizes an actual ongoing preference or enjoyment, while the infinitive often points to a potential action or wise choice.