Verb +

ing or verb +
infinitive
After certain verbs we use the -ing
form, and after other verbs we use
the infinitive. Sometimes we can use
either form and there is no change
in meaning. Occasionally we can use
either form and there is a change in
meaning.

Teacher:
Alejandra Camargo Hernandez
 Verb + ing or verb + infinitive

The verbs followed by -ing include

enjoy, mind, stop , recommend, avoid,
finish, can’t stand, practice, stop, suggest,
imagine

I told him you really enjoy cooking.
Would you mind helping me?
It didn't stop raining all day yesterday.
Daisy recommends trying Alfie’s
tiramisu.
You should avoid eating after 10 PM.
I enjoy skiing, surfing, and playing
tennis.
Have you finished reading the
newspaper yet?
I can’t stand going to parties where I
don’t know anyone.

Teacher:
Alejandra Camargo Hernandez
 Verb + ing or verb + infinitive

The verbs followed by  -ing include

enjoy, mind, stop , recommend, avoid,
finish, can’t stand, practice, stop, suggest,
imagine

I don’t mind working overtime.

I need to practice speaking English more often.
He stopped smoking ten years ago.
I suggest taking some time off.
I can't imagine working harder.
Imagine living at 2,000 metres above sea level!

Teacher:
Alejandra Camargo Hernandez
 Verb + ing or verb + infinitive

what about the

verbs followed
by the infinitive? She decided to go with Elliot instead.
She decided to study biology, not physics.
These include decide, I want to learn English so that I can study in the U.S.
want, promise, plan I wanted to visit Rome.
and forget. She promised to take me there.
He promised to call me back as soon as possible.
Here are more verbs that
are usually followed by
I planned to go to some real Italian restaurants.
the infinitive: She didn’t forget to phone.

hope     offer     fail     agree    

forget     manage     learn     afford    
arrange     ask     expect     would
like     decide     plan     promise     Teacher:
want     invite Alejandra Camargo Hernandez
 Verb + ing or verb + infinitive

What about the verbs that can

be followed by either form?

These include start, begin,  The verbs like, love and hate  But when we are talking
continue and bother.
It started raining. or
It started to rain.
Don’t bother waiting for me. or
Don’t bother to wait for me.
can be followed by -ing or about situations, we use the
the infinitive when talking -ing form.
about repeated actions.
Paulo loves living by the beach
I love reading long novels. in Rio.
(British English or American English)
Do you like working as a
I love to read long novels. waitress?
(American English)

Teacher:
Alejandra Camargo Hernandez
 Verb + ing or verb + infinitive
There are some more verbs
which can be followed by 
-ing or the infinitive, but
the two options have  then do it)
different meanings, for
example
remember and stop.
I never remember to
lock the door, and my
mum gets really angry!
 (remember + infinitive = 
remember something and
She stopped smoking
three years ago.
(stop + -ing = to not do
something any more)
I never remember
locking the door, but
when I go back and
check I always have.
 (remember + -ing = 
remember something you
did before)
It was hot, so we
stopped to have a drink.
(we stopped walking)
(stop + infinitive = to not do
something in order to do
something else)