INFINITIVE VS GERUND (A2 Grammar)

Some verbs + TO verb. Other verbs + verb-ING. No rule - you must learn which verbs use which!

Quick tip: Want/need/plan/decide = TO + verb. Enjoy/finish/keep/avoid = verb + -ING. Memorize these!

Verbs + TO + verb (infinitive)

These verbs are followed by to + verb: want, need, plan, hope, decide, learn.

• I want to go home.
• She needs to study more.
• We plan to travel next year.
• He decided to quit his job.

Verbs + verb + -ING (gerund)

These verbs are followed by -ing: enjoy, finish, keep, stop, avoid, mind.

• I enjoy reading books.
• She finished doing her homework.
• They keep making mistakes.
• Do you mind waiting?

GO + -ING (activities)

Use go + -ing for sports and activities.

• Let's go shopping!
• I go swimming every day.
• They went skiing in the Alps.
• Do you want to go dancing?

Common mistakes

• Not "I enjoy to read books" — say "I enjoy reading books". ENJOY takes -ING, not TO.
• Not "She wants going home" — say "She wants to go home". WANT takes TO, not -ING.

Practise it

Make lists! TO list: want, need, plan. -ING list: enjoy, finish, keep. Review often!