Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive

Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive

​Do you know when to use -ing and when to use to + infinitive after a verb?

​

I enjoy learning languages.

I want to learn a new language.

Multiple Choice

I enjoy _____ online games.

• playing

• to play

Multiple Choice

My brother promised _____ us to the airport.

• taking

• to take

Multiple Choice

If you feel ill, avoid _____ any hard exercise.

• doing

• to do

Multiple Choice

I would like _____ a reservation, please.

• making

• to make

Multiple Choice

I suggest _____ the museums while you're in London.

• visiting

• to visit

Multiple Choice

Do you mind _____ for me a few minutes?

• waiting

• to wait

Multiple Choice

We can't afford _____ on holiday this year.

• going

• to go

Multiple Choice

I'm learning _____ at the moment.

• to drive

• driving

​Grammar explanation

​A verb can be followed by another verb. The second one usually needs to change into the -ing form or the to + infinitive form. Which form you need depends on what the first verb is.

​Verbs followed by the -ing form

​When enjoy, admit and mind are followed by another verb, it must be in the -ing form.

• I enjoy travelling.

• He admitted stealing the necklace.

• I don't mind waiting if you're busy.

Other verbs in this group include avoid, can't help, consider, dislike, feel like, finish, give up, miss, practise and suggest.

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​Verbs followed by to + infinitive form

Multiple Choice

I finished _____ two years ago.

• studying

• to study

Multiple Choice

Avoid _____ if you feel tired or sleepy.

• driving

• to drive

Multiple Choice

We hope _____ you again soon.

• seeing

• to see

Multiple Choice

Next summer, we're planning _____ our relatives.

• visiting

• to visit

Multiple Choice

Now I've changed job, I miss _____ my old colleagues.

• seeing

• to see

Multiple Choice

I'd like _____ to the party.

• coming

• to come

Multiple Choice

They chose _____ about the environment for their project.

• writing

• to write

Multiple Choice

I dislike _____ to work at weekends.

• having

• to have

​Do you know the difference between stop doing something and stop to do something?

​Look at these examples to see how these verb patterns work.

The bus stopped picking up the children.

​The bus stopped to pick up the children. 

​

I want to try studying with a friend to see if it helps us stay more motivated.

I'm trying to study but it's impossible with all this noise

Multiple Choice

Please remember _____ your appointment if you are unable to attend.

• to cancel

• cancelling

Multiple Choice

He says he feels a lot better since he stopped _____ so much bread.

• to eat

• eating

Multiple Choice

Have you got hiccups? Have you tried _____ a glass of water? That often helps!

• to drink

• drinking

Multiple Choice

There's no milk. I forgot _____ more when I went to the supermarket earlier.

• to buy

• buying

Multiple Choice

They stopped at the petrol station _____ the car up.

• to fill

• filling

Multiple Choice

He'll never forget _____ his daughter at nursery school for the first time.

• to leave

• leaving

Multiple Choice

I know it's difficult but try _____ about it too much.

• not to think

• not thinking

Multiple Choice

You've definitely got the keys. I remember _____ them to you in the café this morning.

• to give

• giving

​Grammar explanation

​Some verbs have a different meaning depending on whether they are followed by an -ing form or to + infinitive. 

​stop

​Stop + -ing means the action is not happening any more.

• I've stopped buying the newspaper because now I read the news online.

​

Stop + to + infinitive means that someone or something stops an activity so that they can do something else.

• He stopped the video to ask the students some questions.

​try

​Try + -ing means that you are trying something as an experiment, especially as a possible solution to a problem, to see if it works or not.

• Have you tried turning the computer off and on again?

​

Try + to + infinitive means that something is difficult but you are making an effort to do it. 

• I'm trying to learn Japanese but it's very difficult.

​remember/forget

​Remember + -ing and forget + -ing refer to having (or not having) a memory of something in the past.

• I remember watching this film before.

• I'll never forget meeting you for the first time in this café.

​

Remember + to + infinitive and forget + to + infinitive refer to recalling (or not recalling) that there is something we need to do before we do it.

• Please remember to buy some milk on the way home.

• He forgot to lock the door when he went out.

Multiple Choice

I'd forgotten _____ to Canada when I was small, but then my parents showed me the photos.

• to go 

• going

Multiple Choice

I always forget _____ my alarm for Monday morning.

• to set

• setting

Multiple Choice

She tried _____ the whole book but it was very long and complicated.

• to read

• reading

Multiple Choice

You'll be OK. I remember _____ really nervous on my first day too!

• to be

• being

Multiple Choice

Try _____ the video with subtitles. This might help you understand better.

• to watch

• watching

Multiple Choice

She had to stop halfway through the race _____ the wheel on her bike.

• to repair

• repairing

Multiple Choice

Remember _____ your swimsuit in case we go to the pool.

• to pack

• packing

Multiple Choice

He's stopped _____ French classes and changed to Spanish.

• to take

• taking