Verbs taking ing or infinitive with a

change in meaning

 Forget + to inf = forget to do sth (I forgot to lock the door)

 Forget + ing = forget a past event (I never forget visiting Paris)
 Remember + to inf = remember to do sth (If you use this medicine,
remember to …)
 Remember + ing = recall a past event (I don’t remember meeting her before)
 Mean + to inf = intend to (He means to move house)
 Mean + ing = involve (Preparing for life means studying hard)
 Regret + to inf = be sorry to (I regret to inform you, but …)
 Regret + ing = have second thoughts about sth (I regret telling lies to my
parents)
 Try + to inf = to do one’s best (She tries to cope with her new job)
 Try + ing =do sth as an experiment (Try adding more BBQ sauce)
 Stop + to inf =to pause for a short period (He stopped to buy milk)
 Stop + ing = finish (Vlad stopped smoking)
 Want + to inf = wish (I want to cook some eggs)
 Want + ing = sth needs to be done (This dress wants cleaning)
 Hate + to inf = hate what someone is about to do (I hate to interrupt you,
but…)
 Hate + ing = feel sorry for someones’s doing (I hate washing the dishes)
 Would prefer + to inf = specific reference (I would prefer to eat Chinese if
you don’t mind)
 Prefer + ing = general preference (I prefer eating Chinese)
 Prefer + to inf + rather than + short inf (I prefer to eat Chinese rather than
Italian food)