Gerunds vs Infinitives: When to Use -ing and to + Verb

When one verb follows another, English may require -ing or the infinitive with to. Learn reliable combinations rather than searching for one universal rule.

Verbs followed by -ing

enjoy, avoid, finish, consider, suggest, mind, keep, practise

• I enjoy learning new expressions.
• She suggested meeting earlier.
• Avoid translating every sentence.

Verbs followed by to + verb

want, need, decide, plan, hope, agree, promise, learn

• We decided to book another lesson.
• He hopes to improve his pronunciation.

After a preposition, use -ing

• I’m interested in learning Business English.
• Thank you for helping me.
• I look forward to meeting you.

Meaning can change

Remember doing = remember a past experience. Remember to do = remember a task.

Stop doing = end an activity. Stop to do = pause one activity to do another.

Practice

1. I enjoy ___ (work) with clients.
2. We decided ___ (move) the meeting.
3. She’s good at ___ (explain) ideas.
4. Remember ___ (bring) your notes.

Answers: 1. working; 2. to move; 3. explaining; 4. to bring.

Best habit: store the whole pattern: suggest doing, decide to do, interested in doing.