Infinitive or -ing

INFINITIVE AND -ING

1. Verbs followed ONLY by infinitive

Want, decide, wish, agree, offer, deserve, help, promise, plan, choose, hope, arrange, threaten, seem, afford

2. Verbs followed ONLY by -ing

a)Love, like, dislike, hate, fancy, avoid, deny, miss, suggest, mind, finish, risk, practise, admit, imagine

 b)After prepositions: after, before, until, to, for, etc.

 c)After be/get used to. Example: I’m used to reading until late at night.

Look forward to             I´m looking forward to seeing you

d) after expressions like: 

can’t stop

Don’t mind

Can’t stand

It’s no use

Can’t help

It’s not worth

3. Verbs followed by –ing or infinitive

- Without change of meaning: start, intend, begin, continue, propose, bother,prefer, 

   *live, love, hate. (more information)

• Prefer is a very tricky verb. Follow this link for a good explanation on how to use it.

        Prefer, would rather activity

-          with change of meaning: mean, remember, forget, regret ,go on, stop , try, need