Gerunds and Infinitives
It can be a little difficult to know when to use gerunds and infinitives.
First we use a gerund (verb - ing) or an infinitive (with 'to') after certain verbs. For example, if we want to put a verb after 'enjoy' the verb must be a gerund - I enjoy dancing. The first verb 'enjoy' can be in any tense, but the second verb is always with -ing.
Other verbs are always followed by 'to + infinitive'. For example, 'decide' - I decided to buy a new car.
If you want to make the second verb negative, add 'not' (before 'to'). For example: I enjoyed not working, We decided not to go.
Unfortunately, there's no logic to this - I'm afraid you'll have to just learn the list!
Here are some of the most common verbs that are usually followed by the gerund:
| enjoy | I enjoyed living in France |
| fancy | I fancy seeing a flim tonight |
| discuss | We discussed going on holiday together |
| dislike | I dislike waiting for buses |
| finish | We've finished preparing for the meeting |
| mind | I don't mind coming early |
| suggest | He suggested staying at the Grand Hotel |
| recommend | They recommended meeting earlier |
| keep | He kept working, although he felt ill |
| avoid | She avoided talking to her boss |
And here are some common verbs followed by 'to' and the infinitive:
| agree | She agreed to give a presentation at the meeting |
| ask* | I asked to leave early / I asked him to leave early |
| decide | We decided to go out for dinner |
| help* | He helped to clean the kitchen / he helped his flatmate to clean the kitchen |
| plan | She plans to buy a new flat next year |
| hope | I hope to pass the exam |
| learn | They are learning to sing |
| want* | I want to come to the party / I want him to come to the party |
| would like* | I would like to see her tonight / I would like you to see her tonight |
| promise | We promised not to be late |
