Verbs which can use gerunds or infinitives
Gerund (verb-ing) or Infinitive (to + verb)?
Some verbs can be used with a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning changes. For example:
I stopped working to answer the phone.
| Stop |
|---|
| I stopped working. = I was working, then I stopped. |
| I stopped to answer the phone. = this is the reason I stopped. |
| Remember |
|---|
| I'm sure I bought the milk - I remember buying it! = I did it, and now I remember it. |
| I remembered to buy the milk. = I remembered that I needed to do it, then I did it. |
| Forget |
|---|
| I'll never forget buying my first car = I did it, and I won't forget it. Usually negative sentences. |
| I forgot to buy the milk. = I didn't do it because I forgot. |
| Try |
|---|
| I couldn't sleep, so I tried drinking warm milk. = this was one possible way to achieve what I wanted. |
| I tried to sleep. = this is what I wanted to achieve, but it was difficult. |
| Need |
|---|
| I need to clean the toilet. = active, I should do it. |
| The toilet needs cleaning. = passive, someone should do it (it should be done). |
| Go on |
|---|
| I went on working all night. = I continued this. |
| I was a teacher, but I went on to work as a journalist. = this is what I did next |
However, some verbs can be used with a gerund or an infinitive and the meaning is the same. For example:
I started to watch/watching TV.
I began to watch/watching TV.
I continued to watch/watching TV.
Usually, if the main verb in the sentence is continuous, we use the infinitive, not the gerund. For example:
I'm starting to learn English.✓
I 'm starting learning English. X (or less common)
Many English people use like with both gerunds and infinitives, without much change in meaning. However, if you want to show that you enjoy something, we say like + gerund and if you want to say that you think it's a good idea, we say like + to + infinitive.
I like going on holiday.
I like to go to the dentist every 6 months.
Practice verbs with ing/infinitive