Gerund or Infinitive? The Verb Rules You Use Every Day

Priya Sharma

Priya Sharma writes English learning guides for ESL students. Pune-based language enthusiast.

Visual representation of the voice · not a photographic portrait

Quick answer: Use a gerund (verb + -ing) after verbs like enjoy, avoid, finish and mind, and after every preposition. Use an infinitive (to + verb) after verbs like want, need, decide and hope. A few verbs, such as stop, remember, forget and try, take both forms but change their meaning.↗ Share on X

In daily English, the choice is simple most of the time: some verbs are followed by a gerund (the verb + -ing, like *eating*), and others are followed by an infinitive (to + the verb, like *to eat*). You say "I enjoy cooking," not "I enjoy to cook," and you say "I want to cook," not "I want cooking." After any preposition (in, on, about, of, for, without), you always use the -ing form. A small group of verbs can take both, and a few of them change meaning when you switch. Learn those groups and you will fix one of the most common mistakes English learners make.

This article gives you the short lists that matter in real conversation, the four tricky verbs, and a 10-minute daily drill you can start today.

What exactly is a gerund, and what is an infinitive?

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Two quick definitions, in plain words:

• Gerund: a verb with -ing that works like a noun. In "Swimming is good exercise," *swimming* is the name of an activity.
• Infinitive: the basic verb with "to" in front. In "I want to swim," *to swim* is the thing you want.

Both can follow another verb. The problem is that English does not use a logic rule for which one comes next. It depends on the first verb. That is why memorizing groups of verbs works better than trying to "understand" each sentence.

Which everyday verbs are always followed by -ing?

These verbs come up in normal conversations all the time. After them, use the -ing form.

A useful pattern: many of these verbs talk about an activity you already know, are doing, or are avoiding. You enjoy it, you finish it, you avoid it, you keep doing it.

The preposition rule that fixes many mistakes

After a preposition, the verb always takes -ing. No exceptions.

• I'm interested in learning Spanish.
• Thanks for helping me.
• She left without saying goodbye.
• I'm tired of waiting.
• He's good at fixing cars.

The tricky part is when the preposition is the word "to." These common phrases use "to" as a preposition, so the next verb takes -ing:

1. I look forward to seeing you.

2. I'm used to getting up early.

3. She's committed to finishing the course.

4. What do you say to going out tonight?

A quick test: if you can put a noun after "to" (I look forward *to the weekend*), then "to" is a preposition and the verb needs -ing.

Which everyday verbs are followed by "to"?

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These verbs usually talk about plans, wishes, decisions or the future. After them, use to + verb.

A simple memory trick: "to" points forward, like an arrow. Many of these verbs point toward something that has not happened yet. You *want* it, *plan* it, *hope* for it, *promise* it.

Verbs with a person in the middle

Some verbs need a person between the verb and the infinitive:

• My boss asked me to stay late.
• I told him to wait.
• She wants us to come early.
• They reminded me to bring my ID.

A very common mistake is "I want that you come." In English, say "I want you to come."

Which verbs can take both forms with no real change?

Good news: some verbs accept both forms, and the meaning stays almost the same.

• like, love, hate, prefer
• start, begin, continue

So these pairs are all correct:

• I like cooking. / I like to cook.
• It started raining. / It started to rain.
• She continued working. / She continued to work.

Small tip: Americans often use "to" after like and love ("I'd love to come"), and after *would like* you must use "to": "I would like to order," never "I would like ordering."

Which four verbs change meaning when you switch forms?

These are the ones that cause real confusion, because both forms are correct but say different things.

1. Stop

• Stop + -ing = quit an activity. *I stopped drinking coffee.* (I don't drink it anymore.)
• Stop + to = pause one thing in order to do another. *I stopped to drink coffee.* (I paused my work so I could drink coffee.)

2. Remember

• Remember + -ing = have a memory of the past. *I remember meeting her at the party.*
• Remember + to = not forget a task. *Remember to call your mother.*

3. Forget

• Forget + -ing = lose a memory of something you did (often with "never"). *I'll never forget seeing the ocean for the first time.*
• Forget + to = not do a task. *I forgot to pay the electric bill.*

4. Try

• Try + -ing = test something as an experiment. *If your phone is slow, try restarting it.*
• Try + to = make an effort, maybe without success. *I tried to open the window, but it was stuck.*

A simple way to keep them straight: with these verbs, -ing usually looks back at an action that already happened or is happening, and to usually looks forward to an action that comes next.

How do these rules sound in a real conversation?

Here is a short dialogue between two coworkers. Notice each verb choice.

Ana: Do you mind closing the door? It's cold.

Tom: Sure. By the way, did you finish writing the report?

Ana: Almost. I need to check the numbers first. I forgot to save my file yesterday, so I had to start again.

Tom: That's terrible. You should try using auto-save.

Ana: I will. I'm looking forward to finishing this week.

Tom: Me too. I plan to take Friday off. I want to rest.

Read it out loud two or three times. Hearing the patterns in real sentences helps them stick better than reading a rule.

What are the most common mistakes to fix first?

If you only have time for a few corrections, start with these. They appear constantly in emails, texts and conversations.

1. "I'm looking forward to hear from you." → *I'm looking forward to hearing from you.*

2. "I suggest you to call." → *I suggest calling.* or *I suggest that you call.*

3. "I'm used to wake up early." → *I'm used to waking up early.*

4. "Thank you for help me." → *Thank you for helping me.*

5. "I want that you help me." → *I want you to help me.*

6. "I enjoy to read." → *I enjoy reading.*

7. "Let me to explain." → *Let me explain.* (After *let*, *make* and *help*, use the base verb with no "to".)

That last one is a bonus rule: let, make and often help are followed by the plain verb. *My mom made me clean my room.* *Let's go.* *Can you help me carry this?*

How can you practice this in 10 minutes a day?

Rules only become automatic with use. Try this simple routine for two weeks.

1. Pick five verbs a day from the tables above. Mix -ing verbs and "to" verbs.

2. Write one true sentence about your life for each. For example: "I avoid eating late at night." "I need to renew my passport." Personal sentences are easier to remember.

3. Say each sentence out loud three times. Your mouth needs practice, not just your eyes.

4. Change one detail and say it again. "I avoid eating late" becomes "My brother avoids eating late."

5. Use at least one of them in a real message that day, such as a text, email or chat.

6. On day seven, review all the verbs from the week. Cover the right column of the tables and test yourself.

After two weeks, you will have practiced around 70 verbs in your own sentences, which covers almost every case you will meet in daily conversation.

Your next step

Open your last few English emails or messages and search for the words *enjoy*, *look forward to*, *suggest*, *want* and *thanks for*. Check the verb that comes right after each one against the tables in this article, and correct any mistakes you find. Then write five new sentences using the four tricky verbs (stop, remember, forget, try), once with -ing and once with "to", and read them out loud before your next conversation.

FAQ

Is it "I look forward to see you" or "I look forward to seeing you"?

It is "I look forward to seeing you." Here "to" is a preposition, not part of an infinitive, and a verb after a preposition always takes -ing. The same is true for "I'm used to working nights."

Can I say "I like to swim" and "I like swimming"?

Yes. Like, love, hate, prefer, start, begin and continue take both forms with almost no change in meaning. Native speakers use both every day, so either one is correct.

What is the fastest way to remember which verbs take -ing?

Learn small groups by meaning instead of one long list. Verbs about avoiding or finishing (avoid, quit, finish, deny) tend to take -ing. Verbs about future plans (want, plan, hope, decide) tend to take "to". Then practice each group in short sentences about your own life.