The infinitive with ‘to’ or -ing after a verb?
What’s the rule for whether we use the -ing form or to + infinitive?
Sorry, there isn’t a rule. You have to learn which verbs go with which pattern. Here you have some examples, but these are just a few. There are many more!
Verb + to + verb
| want | need | learn | ask |
| agree | choose | decide | offer |
| arrange | plan | manage | forget |
| refuse | remember | afford | hope |
I can’t afford to buy that bike.
I can’t afford buying that bike.
She decided to study English.
She decided studying English.
Verb + -ing + verb
| avoid | dislike | enjoy | finish |
| miss | mind | practice | consider |
| imagine | fancy | involve | feel like |
| admit | fail | remember | suggest |
I can’t avoid thinking about it.
I can’t avoid to think about it.
She remembers calling John.
She remebers to call John.
Both with the same meaning
| begin | start | continue | prefer |
| hate | like | love | read |
It began to rain. = It began raining.
We continued to work. = We continued working.
Anna loves to sing. = Anna loves singing.
Both with different meaning
| forget | stop | try | mean |
He forgot to call her. [He didn’t call her]
He forgot calling her. [He called but he doesn’t remember]
Sam stopped to talk to the teacher. [He paused what he was doing and talked]
Sam stopped talking to the teacher. [Sam no longer talks to the teacher at all]
Katie: OK everyone. We need to finalise the plans for the trip this Saturday. What time shall we leave?
Ben: I suggest (1)_____ (meet) at the youth club at 10 o’clock.
Katie: That’s perfect. We’ll have time to go shopping to get the food. Do you fancy (2)_____ (eat) sandwiches? We can get some from the supermarket.
Ben: I can’t afford (3)_____ (buy) those. I think it’d be better to get bread and cheese to make our own sandwiches
Katie: OK. Did you remember (4)_____ (ask) your mum if we can borrow the picnic blanket?
Ben: Oh no, I’ll send her a text now. I’m sure she’ll say yes.
Katie: Liam, you promised (5)_____ (bring) the map so we can plan the route.
Liam: Oh, I forgot (6)_____ (put) it in my bag. I can run home and get it.
Katie: Alright. We’ll wait for you here and make a list of things we need to take. Do you remember (7)_____ (go) on that trip last year when it rained and no one had a raincoat?
Ben: But we still enjoyed (8)_____ (get) to the top of the mountain, didn’t we? Do we have to be so organised?