Infinitive or -ing?
Sometimes we need to decide whether to use a verb in its:
to-infinitive form - to do, to sing
or in its:
-ing form - doing, singing
For example, only one of the following sentences is correct:
- I dislike to work late.
- I dislike working late.
Which one?!
Use infinitive...
after adjectives, for example
- disappointed, glad, happy, pleased, relieved, sad, surprised
This includes "too + adjective" and "adjective + enough". Look at these example sentences:
- I was happy to help them.
- She will be delighted to see you.
- The water was too cold to swim in.
- Is your coffee too hot to drink?
- He was strong enough to lift it.
- She is rich enough to buy two.
after certain verbs, for example
- forget, help, learn, teach, train
- choose, expect, hope, need, offer, want, would like
- agree, encourage, pretend, promise
- allow, can/can't afford, decide, manage, mean, refuse
Look at these example sentences:
- I forgot to close the window.
- Mary needs to leave early.
- Why are they encouraged to learn English?
- We can't afford to take a long holiday.
Use -ing...
when the word is the subject of a clause:
- Swimming is good exercise.
- Doctors say that smoking is bad for you.
after a preposition
- I look forward to meeting you.
- They left without saying goodbye.
after certain verbs
- avoid, dislike, enjoy, finish, give up, mind/not mind, practise
Look at these example sentences
- I dislike getting up early.
- Would you mind opening the window?
Some verbs can be followed by the infinitive or -ing form without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start
- It started to rain / It started raining
- I like to play tennis / I like playing tennis
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