-ing or to + Infinitive?
When to use the -ing form and when to use to + infinitive.
Verbs + -ing
enjoy, finish, mind, avoid, suggest, keep, (dis)like, love, hate. Also after prepositions.
I enjoy swimming.
Have you finished writing?
I'm interested in learning Spanish.after a preposition
Verbs + to + infinitive
want, decide, hope, plan, promise, agree, refuse, learn, would like.
We decided to go by train.
She promised to help me.
I'd like to order a pizza.
Tip: stop smoking = quit; stop to smoke = pause in order to smoke. The meaning changes!
Sample quiz questions
- I enjoy ___ in the mountains.
- They decided ___ a new car.
- Would you mind ___ (open) the window?
- The sentence “I hope seeing you soon.” is grammatically correct.
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