In English, certain verbs are followed only by a gerund, certain verbs by an infinitive, and certain verbs by either a

gerund or an infinitive, there is not a pattern to know, all verbs must be memorize.

VERB + ING VERB + to infinitive

Common Verbs Followed Only by a Gerund Common Verbs Followed Only by a infinitive

Admit, advise, anticipate, appreciate , avoid, complete,
consider, delay, deny, discuss, enjoy, escape, finish,
imagine, keep, mention, mind, miss, postpone, practice,
quit, recall, recommend, regret, resist, risk, stop,
suggest, tolerate
Afford, agree, appear, arrange, ask, beg, care, claim,
consent, decide, demand, deserve, expect, fail,
hesitate, hope, learn, manage, mean, need, offer, plan,
prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, regret, seem,
struggle, swear, threaten, volunteer, wait, want.

VERB followed by either a gerund or AN INFINITIVE

Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but some would change the meaning. NOTE::
verbs that express likes and dislikes are commonly followed by a gerund,

VERB + TO INIFINITIVE VERB + ING

Forget I forgot to say thank you I forgot saying that
Go on She went to talk about her She went on talking hours
Remember I remember to lock the door I remember locking the door
Stop Lets stop to buy some flowers Lets stop buying flowers
Try I tried to learn japanese i tried playing chess
Mean I mean to marry her But it means spending money
Regret I regret to tell you I regret spending time with you
 linking words are use to join ideas together when talking or writing. we use
contrast linkers to join two different ideas, such as negatives and positives or
an idea that is surprising or unexpected

But, yet and however

“But” is used when we talk about a neutral contrast situation, and we use “yet” when we are surprised
by the contrast. “However” is more formal than “but”. We use a coma before, to separate the two ideas,
and we can put it at the beginning, at the end, or after the subject.
• He works long hours, but he loves his job.
• He is allergic to cats, yet he has one.
• I love London. However, the weather is bad.

Although,even though and though

These three particles have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably. They can go at the beginning or
in the middle of the sentence. Though can also be placed at the end of a sentence. They precede a sentence
composed of a subject plus a verb. Though is used in spoken English with the same meaning as but
• Although she tried hard, she couldn't solve it.
• They often meet even though they broke up a year ago..
• It's freezing cold. It's a lovely day, though.

Despite and in spite of

The particles despite and in spite of, introduce a sentence that makes what the main sentence
expresses seem surprising. They can go at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.
• Despite the danger, people live near volcanoes.
• She jumped in spite of being terrified.