Verb + ing or verb + to…

VERBS + ING / TO

When one verb follows another verb, the structure is usually verb + gerund (ing) or infinitive…

They denied stealing the car. They decided to steal the car.

I enjoy going out. I want to go out.

Often we use gerunds for an action that happens before or at the same time as the first verb.

Often we use the infinitive for an action that follows the first verb.


Some verbs can be followed by gerunds or infinitives, often the verb can take on two possible meanings depending on what type of word follows it:

Remember

I remember doing something = I have the memory

I'm absolutely sure I locked the door.

I clearly remember locking it.


I remember to do something = I did not forget

Remember to lock the door when you leave.

 

Regret

I regret doing something = I'm sorry about it:

I now regret saying what I said. I shouldn't have said it.


I regret to say / to tell you / to inform you = I'm sorry that I have to say (etc.):

(from a formal letter) We regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you the job.

Go on

Go on doing something = continue doing the same thing:

The minister went on talking for two hours.


Go on to do something = do or say something new:

After discussing the economy, the minister then went on to talk about foreign policy.

 

Begin, start, continue, bother

These verbs can be followed by gerunds or infinitives with little or no difference in meaning.

It has started snowing. Or It has started to snow.

Don't bother locking the window. Or Don't bother to lock the window.

But normally we do not use -ing after -ing:

It's starting to snow.  (not It's starting snowing.)

Need to… and need -ing...

I need to do something = it is necessary for me to do it:

I need to take more exercise.


Something needs doing = something needs to be done:

The batteries in the radio need changing.

It's a difficult problem. It needs thinking about very carefully.

Help and can't help

You can say "help to do” or "help do” (infinitive with or without to…):

Everybody helped to clean up after the party. Or Everybody helped clean up…

Can you help me to move this table? Or Can you help me move…


I can't help doing something = I can't stop myself from doing it:

I don't like him but he has a lot of problems. I can't help feeling sorry for him.

She tried to be serious but she couldn't help laughing.

 

Like, love, hate, can't bear, enjoy, dislike, mind, can't stand

These verbs and expressions all mean "like” or "not like”. They are often followed by gerunds:

Mary hates diving.

Why do you dislike staying here?

I don't like people yelling at me.

After love, hate and can't bear, you can also use the infinitive:

I love meeting people. Or I love to meet people.

She can't bear being alone. Or She can't bear to be alone.


But after enjoy / dislike / mind / can't stand, we use only gerunds (not infinitives):

I enjoy being alone.

Larry doesn't mind working at night.

Like

You can say "I like doing something” or "I like to do something”. Often it doesn't matter which you use, so you can say:

I like getting up late. Or I like to get up late.


In British English, there is sometimes a difference between I like doing and I like to do:

I like doing something = I enjoy it:

Do you like cooking? (do you enjoy it?)

I like living here.  (I enjoy it)

I like to do something = I think it is good or right to do it:

I like to clean the kitchen as often as possible. (this doesn't mean that I enjoy it, it means that I think it is a good thing to do)

Ann likes people to be on time.

Would like / would love / would hate / would prefer are usually followed by an infinitive:

I would like to be rich.

I'd love (would love) to be able to travel around the world.


Compare I like and I would like:

I like playing / to play tennis.  (I enjoy it in general)

I would like to play squash today.  (I want to play today)

Notice that would mind is followed by a gerund:

Would you mind closing the door please?


You can also say "I would like to have done something”.

We'd like to have gone on vacation but we didn't have enough money.

You can use the same structure after would love / would hate / would prefer:

Poor old Mike! I would hate to have been in his position.