B1 English GrammarInfinitive vs Gerund
Know when to use 'to do' (infinitive) vs 'doing' (gerund) after different verbs. Master verb patterns and avoid common mistakes.
1Verbs Followed by Infinitive (to + verb)
Some verbs are always followed by the infinitive (to + base verb). These include verbs of wanting, planning, and deciding. Learn the most common ones.
Verbs + Infinitive
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| want | I want to go home. |
| need | She needs to study. |
| decide | We decided to stay. |
| plan | They plan to travel. |
| hope | I hope to see you. |
| learn | He's learning to drive. |
| promise | She promised to help. |
| agree | They agreed to wait. |
Examples
I want to learn Spanish.
I want to learn Spanish.
want + to + verb
She decided to quit her job.
She decided to quit her job.
decide + to + verb
We hope to visit Japan next year.
We hope to visit Japan next year.
hope + to + verb
He promised to call me back.
He promised to call me back.
promise + to + verb
2Verbs Followed by Gerund (-ing)
Some verbs are always followed by the gerund (verb + -ing). These include verbs of enjoying, finishing, and avoiding. The gerund acts like a noun.
Verbs + Gerund
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| enjoy | I enjoy reading. |
| finish | She finished working. |
| avoid | He avoids eating sugar. |
| consider | We're considering moving. |
| keep | Keep trying! |
| mind | Do you mind waiting? |
| suggest | I suggest leaving early. |
| practice | She practices singing. |
Examples
I enjoy cooking for friends.
I enjoy cooking for friends.
enjoy + -ing
She finished writing the report.
She finished writing the report.
finish + -ing
He avoids talking about politics.
He avoids talking about politics.
avoid + -ing
Do you mind closing the window?
Do you mind closing the window?
mind + -ing
3Verbs That Take Both (Different Meanings)
Some verbs can take both infinitive and gerund, but with different meanings. 'Stop to do' means stop in order to do something. 'Stop doing' means cease an activity. Similar: remember, forget, try.
Different Meanings
| Verb + Infinitive | Verb + Gerund |
|---|---|
| stop to smoke (pause to smoke) | stop smoking (quit smoking) |
| remember to call (don't forget) | remember calling (recall past) |
| try to open (attempt) | try opening (experiment) |
| forget to buy (didn't do it) | forget buying (don't recall doing) |
Examples
I stopped to buy coffee.
I stopped to buy coffee.
stopped in order to buy
I stopped drinking coffee.
I stopped drinking coffee.
quit/gave up coffee
Remember to lock the door.
Remember to lock the door.
don't forget to do it
I remember meeting her last year.
I remember meeting her last year.
I recall the past event
4After Prepositions
After prepositions (to, about, of, for, in, at, etc.), always use the gerund, never the infinitive. This is a fixed rule in English. Note: 'to' as a preposition (look forward to) takes gerund.
Preposition + Gerund
| Expression | Example |
|---|---|
| interested in | interested in learning |
| good at | good at singing |
| afraid of | afraid of flying |
| look forward to | look forward to meeting you |
Examples
I'm interested in learning more.
I'm interested in learning more.
preposition 'in' + gerund
She's good at solving problems.
She's good at solving problems.
preposition 'at' + gerund
I look forward to seeing you.
I look forward to seeing you.
'to' as preposition + gerund
Thank you for helping me.
Thank you for helping me.
preposition 'for' + gerund