Intermediate Grammar

Intermediate · Grammar Reference

Unit 7 — Verb Patterns

to-infinitive · -ing form · verbs taking both

7.1 The infinitive

The to-infinitive is used:

After many verbs: want, hope, decide, plan, promise, forget, need, try, manage, fail, offer, agree, refuse, seem, appear
After adjectives: It's impossible to save money. Pleased to meet you. It was good to hear your news.
After make and let + person — use bare infinitive (no to): She'll make you feel welcome. I'll let you know.

The bare infinitive (without to) is used after modal verbs.

You must go. I'll help you. You ought to see a doctor.

7.2 The -ing form

The -ing form is used:

After certain verbs: enjoy, like, love, hate, mind, finish, stop, suggest, avoid, keep, consider
After a person/object: I hate people telling me what to do. You can't stop me doing what I want.
After prepositions: I'm good at finding things. We're thinking of going to Sweden. He's afraid of being mugged.

Verb + -ing	Verb + to-infinitive
enjoy, finish, stop, keep, suggest, mind, avoid	want, hope, decide, plan, promise, need, refuse
I enjoy reading.	I want to read.
I don't mind helping.	I decided to help.

📌 Note

Some verbs take both forms: like, love, hate, begin, start, continue, prefer. With try, stop, forget, remember the meaning changes: I stopped to smoke (stopped in order to smoke) vs I stopped smoking (gave up).