Gerunds and infinitives

When one verb follows another, the second verb is either the ⟦-ing⟧ form (a gerund) or ⟦to⟧ + verb (an infinitive). It depends on the first verb: ⟦I enjoy swimming.⟧ but ⟦I want to swim.⟧

Key facts

• These verbs take the ⟦-ing⟧ form: ⟦enjoy⟧, ⟦finish⟧, ⟦mind⟧, ⟦avoid⟧, ⟦suggest⟧, ⟦keep⟧, ⟦miss⟧, ⟦imagine⟧, ⟦give up⟧: ⟦Have you finished eating?⟧
• These verbs take ⟦to⟧ + verb: ⟦want⟧, ⟦decide⟧, ⟦hope⟧, ⟦plan⟧, ⟦promise⟧, ⟦agree⟧, ⟦refuse⟧, ⟦need⟧, ⟦would like⟧: ⟦We decided to stay at home.⟧
• After a preposition, always use the ⟦-ing⟧ form: ⟦She is good at drawing.⟧ ⟦Thank you for helping me.⟧ In ⟦look forward to⟧, ⟦to⟧ is a preposition: ⟦I'm looking forward to seeing you.⟧
• Use ⟦to⟧ + verb to say why someone does something (purpose), and after ⟦It is⟧ + an adjective: ⟦She went to the shop to buy milk.⟧ ⟦It is important to sleep well.⟧
• A few verbs change their meaning: ⟦He stopped smoking.⟧ (he doesn't smoke any more) but ⟦He stopped to smoke.⟧ (he stopped so that he could smoke). ⟦Remember to lock the door.⟧ (don't forget) but ⟦I remember locking the door.⟧ (a memory).

Worked examples