This is common question in English whether we use the gerund or infinitive on the second verb? We did a podcast episode on this subject and you can find our latest episodes on the website.
Common verbs that take the gerund
avoid – ‘Jack avoided running in the town as running by the lake is much more relaxing.’
spend – ‘I spend a lot of time sleeping.’
mind – ‘They don’t mind coming to the pub but they would prefer to go to the cinema.’
The most common verbs taking a gerund are: stop, finish, imagine, suggest, recommend, miss, risk, enjoy and like
Common verbs that take the infinitive
want – ‘We want to go to the football game.’
learn – ‘She learned how to ride when she was very young.’
hope – ‘You hope to get full marks, don’t you?’
The most common verbs taking the infinitive are: offer, fail, agree, forget, manage, afford, arrange, ask, expect, would like, decide, plan, promise and invite
Common verbs that take the gerund or infinitive
– when the meaning doesn’t change
prefer – ‘I prefer to go to the park instead of the cinema.’ / ‘I prefer going to the park instead of the cinema.’
continue – ‘We continued to sit on the sofa.’ / ‘We continued sitting on the sofa.’
intend – ‘They intended to go but then an old friend arrived.’ / ‘They intended going but then an old friend arrived.’
This also includes: begin, hate, love and start
Common verbs that take the gerund or infinitive
– when the meaning changes
remember – ‘Remember to phone mum.’
‘They remember meeting at the event.’
try – ‘Try doing some yoga.’
‘He tried to make a cake but it didn’t rise.’
forget – ‘We forgot to book the tickets.’
‘I’ll never forget seeing his face.’
stop – ‘I’ve stopped buying the magazine as I can find everything online.’
‘He stopped the recording to ask the students some questions.’
Get an ear for the sound
This isn’t of course a complete list of when you should use gerunds or infinitives on the second verb but it will give you a good starting. As you practise your English you will get used to what sounds right.
Just give it a go, even if you get it wrong you will still be understood!
