Read about using gerunds and infinitives in English. Then, when you are ready, try these verb patterns exercises (elementary) or these verb patterns exercises (intermediate).
Gerunds
A gerund is an -ing verb used as a noun. We often use gerunds after other verbs (verb + gerund). For example:
She likes playing tennis.
Simon went shopping on Friday.
I've started learning French.
Be careful - gerunds are not the same as the present continuous. You can use a present continuous verb form (or any other tense) with a gerund. For example:
I'm enjoying reading this book.
Infinitives
After some verbs, we need an infinitive with 'to', not a gerund. For example:
She wants to play tennis.
Sarah has decided to get married.
I'm hoping to win the lottery.
Elementary / pre-intermediate level verbs
You'll need to learn which verbs to use with gerunds, and which verbs to use with infinitives.
like, love, hate, don't mind, can't stand, enjoy, finish
+ verb-ing (gerund)
would like, want, need, hope, expect, plan, decide, arrange, learn
+ to + infinitive
Test yourself here with these verb patterns exercises (elementary - pre-int).
Intermediate / upper-intermediate level verbs
At intermediate level and above, these verb patterns will be useful.
miss, practise, admit, deny, suggest, recommend, consider, imagine, fancy, postpone, avoid
+ verb-ing (gerund)
seem, tend, offer, pretend, manage, agree, appear, can't wait, can't afford, prepare
+ to + infinitive
Test yourself here with these verb patterns exercises (intermediate+).
For more information on verb patterns, you could also look at this lesson on verbs for reported speech.