Gerunds vs Infinitives: When to Use -ing vs to + Verb

Published: May 13, 2026 · 8 min read

"I enjoy reading" or "I enjoy to read"? If the second one sounds wrong to you, you already understand gerunds intuitively. But English learners often struggle with this choice because the rules depend on the main verb. This guide explains the difference, provides complete verb lists, and covers the tricky verbs that change meaning depending on which form you use.

What Are Gerunds and Infinitives?

A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun: swimming, reading, writing, running.

An infinitive is to + the base form of a verb: to swim, to read, to write, to run.

Some English verbs can only be followed by a gerund. Some can only be followed by an infinitive. And some can take either — but sometimes with a change in meaning. There is no single rule that covers every verb, so the best approach is to memorize the patterns.

Verbs That Always Take a Gerund

When these verbs are followed by another verb, the second verb must be in gerund form.

Common gerund-only verbs: admit, advise, allow, anticipate, appreciate, avoid, consider, delay, deny, discuss, enjoy, finish, imagine, involve, keep, mention, mind, miss, postpone, practice, quit, recall, recommend, regret, resist, risk, suggest, tolerate, understand.

Examples:

• I enjoy reading science fiction. (not "enjoy to read")
• She avoided making eye contact.
• They suggested postponing the meeting.
• He quit smoking last year.
• We finished writing the report at midnight.

Verbs That Always Take an Infinitive

These verbs must be followed by to + base verb.

Common infinitive-only verbs: afford, agree, appear, arrange, ask, choose, claim, consent, decide, demand, deserve, expect, fail, happen, hesitate, hope, intend, learn, manage, mean, need, offer, plan, prepare, pretend, promise, prove, refuse, seem, tend, threaten, volunteer, wait, want, wish.

Examples:

• I want to learn Spanish. (not "want learning")
• She decided to apply for the job.
• They agreed to help us move.
• He refused to answer the question.
• We managed to finish the project on time.

Verbs That Take Either (with the Same Meaning)

Some verbs work with both forms and the meaning stays essentially the same. These are the easiest to learn.

Same-meaning verbs: begin, can't bear, can't stand, continue, hate, like, love, prefer, start.

Examples:

• It started raining / It started to rain. (same meaning)
• I love swimming / I love to swim. (same meaning)
• She hates waking up early / She hates to wake up early. (same meaning)

Note: With like, love, hate, prefer, the gerund form often sounds more natural in British English, while the infinitive is more common in American English. Both are correct everywhere.

Verbs That Change Meaning

These are the trickiest. The verb takes both forms, but the meaning changes. Pay close attention to these.

Remember + Gerund vs Infinitive

Remember + gerund = recalling a past event. Remember + infinitive = not forgetting to do something in the future.

I remember locking the door. (I locked it, and I recall doing it.)

I remembered to lock the door. (I didn't forget to lock it.)

Forget + Gerund vs Infinitive

Forget + gerund = not recalling a past event (mostly used in the negative). Forget + infinitive = not remember to do something.

I'll never forget meeting her. (I met her, and I remember it.)

She forgot to send the email. (She didn't send it.)

Try + Gerund vs Infinitive

Try + gerund = experiment to see what happens. Try + infinitive = make an effort to do something difficult.

Try adding more salt to the sauce. (experiment with this action)

I tried to lift the box, but it was too heavy. (I made an effort, but failed.)

Stop + Gerund vs Infinitive

Stop + gerund = quit or cease an action. Stop + infinitive = pause one action to do another.

She stopped smoking last year. (She quit permanently.)

He stopped to smoke a cigarette. (He paused driving/walking to smoke.)

The Preposition + Gerund Rule

Here is one rule that never breaks: after a preposition, always use a gerund.

Examples:

• Thank you for helping me. (not "for to help")
• She's interested in learning Mandarin.
• He left without saying goodbye.
• We talked about moving to a new city.
• They apologized for being late.

This rule covers phrasal verbs too (look forward to, give up, put off), so remember: preposition + gerund, always.

Gerunds as Subjects vs Infinitives

Both gerunds and infinitives can act as subjects of a sentence, but the standard style prefers gerunds in subject position.

Natural: Reading improves your vocabulary.

Acceptable but formal: To read improves your vocabulary.

Unnatural: To read is enjoyable. (Better: Reading is enjoyable.)

Use gerunds as subjects in everyday writing. Reserve infinitive subjects for formal or rhetorical contexts.

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