Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'stop -ing' to quit an action; use 'stop to' to pause what you're doing for a new purpose.
- Stop + Gerund (-ing) means the action itself ends. Example: 'I stopped smoking' (I quit).
- Stop + Infinitive (to...) means you pause to do something else. Example: 'I stopped to smoke' (I paused my walk).
- The infinitive 'to' actually acts as 'in order to' in these sentences.
Overview
stop working과 stop to work 사이의 아주 작은 차이가 인생 전체를 바꿔놓기도 하거든.How This Grammar Works
stop을 길 위의 갈림길이라고 생각해봐. 뒤에 Gerund(-ing 형태)가 오면, 이미 하고 있던 행동을 돌아보며 그걸 끝내기로 결정하는 거야. 그 행동 자체가 멈춤의 대상이 되는 거지. 반면에 Infinitive(to + 동사)가 오면, 앞을 내다보는 거야. 마음속에 새로운 목표가 생겨서 *지금* 하고 있던 일을 무엇이든 멈추는 거지. 여기서 Infinitive는 기본적으로 in order to의 짧은 버전이라고 생각하면 돼.Stop + -ing= 행동이 끝남. 사라짐. 종료.Stop + to= 새로운 행동이 우선순위가 되어서 현재 행동을 잠시 멈춤.
stop walking이라고 하면, 바위에 주저앉아 그대로 머무는 거야. 하지만 stop to walk라고 하면, 다른 일(운전이나 자전거 타기 등)을 하다가 걷기 위해 그 활동을 멈췄다는 뜻이 돼.Gerund는 '정지' 버튼이고, Infinitive는 다른 일을 하기 위한 '일시정지' 후 '재생' 버튼이야. 만약 좋아하는 사람에게 문자를 보낼 때 이걸 헷갈리면, 그 사람을 생각하려고 하던 일을 멈췄다(stopped to think)고 말하려다가 그 사람에 대한 생각을 멈췄다(stopped thinking)고 말하게 될 수도 있어.
Formation Pattern
Gerund 형태: 주어 + Stop (어떤 시제든 가능) + Verb-ing.
I (주어) + stopped (과거 시제) + scrolling (Gerund) + TikTok (목적어).
Infinitive 형태: 주어 + Stop (어떤 시제든 가능) + to + 동사 원형.
I (주어) + stopped (과거 시제) + to + check (Infinitive) + my notifications.
stop 자체는 stops, stopped, is stopping 등으로 변할 수 있다는 점에 유의해. 그 뒤에 오는 단어는 시제와 상관없이 Gerund나 Infinitive 형태를 유지해.
to를 in order to로 바꿨을 때 문장이 말이 된다면, 무조건 Infinitive가 필요해. 만약 말이 안 된다면 아마 Gerund가 필요할 거야. 휴대폰이 왜 충전이 안 되는지 고민하기 전에 플러그가 꽂혀 있는지 확인하는 것처럼, 99% 통하는 간단한 논리 체크 방법이야.
When To Use It
Gerund를 사용해. 담배를 끊었어(I stopped smoking)라고 말하면 모두가 건강한 생활 방식을 축하해 줄 거야. 소셜 미디어의 경우, 인스타그램을 안 해(I stopped using Instagram)라고 하면 앱을 삭제했다는 뜻이지. 2월쯤이면 아마 포기하게 될 새해 결심을 말할 때 딱 좋아.
Infinitive를 사용해. 음악 페스티벌에 가려고 운전 중이라고 상상해봐. 기름을 넣으려고 멈추고(stop to get gas), 간식을 사려고 멈추고(stop to buy snacks), 친구를 태우려고 멈추지(stop to pick up a friend).stop to drink water), 동료들은 네가 5초 후에 돌아올 거라는 걸 이해해.stop drinking water), 네가 선인장이 되기로 결심한 줄 알고 구급차를 부를지도 몰라.
Common Mistakes
Infinitive를 사용하는 거야. '정크푸드를 먹으려고 멈췄어(I stopped to eat junk food)'는 지금 건강해졌다는 뜻이 아니야. 다른 일을 하다가 햄버거를 먹는 게 좋겠다고 결정했다는 뜻이지.stop과 Infinitive 사이에 목적어가 올 수 있다는 걸 잊어버리는 거야. 예를 들어, 지도를 보려고 차를 세웠어(I stopped the car to look at the map)는 아주 완벽한 문장이야! 논리는 똑같아. 어떤 이유 때문에 멈추는 동작이 일어난 거지.
-ing 형태를 너무 복잡하게 생각하곤 해. 여기서 Gerund는 진행 시제가 아니라는 걸 기억해. 어떤 행동을 과정으로서 '멈추고 있는 중'인 게 아니라, 취소되는 대상을 '그 행동'으로 지목하는 거야. 일종의 명사라고 생각해봐. 스크롤하는 '활동'을 멈춘 거지.start나 like 같은 동사와 헷갈리지 마. stop은 의미가 *항상* 변해. 아주 중요한 선택이지. 회사 이메일에서 '답장'과 '전체 답장' 사이에서 고민하는 것과 비슷해. 잘못 선택하면 모두가 네 사정을 알게 될 테니까.Contrast With Similar Patterns
remember, forget, try 같은 동사에서도 일어나.Remember doing: 과거에 했던 일에 대한 기억.Remember to do: 미래에 해야 할 일.
stop의 경우, 물리적 혹은 비유적인 움직임이 포함되기 때문에 대조가 훨씬 더 뚜렷해.try를 한번 볼까?Try doing: 효과가 있는지 보려고 시험 삼아 해보다.Try to do: 어려운 일을 해내려고 노력하다.
stop은 시간의 문지기 역할을 한다는 점에서 독특해. Gerund는 활동의 문을 닫아버려. Infinitive는 잠시 멈춘 후에 새로운 문을 열지. 길에서 친구와 대화하려고 멈춘다면(stop to talk), 사교적인 사람이 되는 거야. 하지만 친구와 대화하는 걸 멈춘다면(stop talking), 아마 크게 싸워서 그 친구의 생일 파티에 초대받지 못하게 되겠지. 작은 'to' 하나가 얼마나 많은 드라마를 막아줄 수 있는지 정말 놀랍지 않아?Quick FAQ
한 문장에 둘 다 쓸 수 있어?
당연하지!
휴대폰을 확인하려고 일을 멈췄어(I stopped working to check my phone).화면을 보고 싶어서(
Infinitive) 하던 일(Gerund)을 끝낸 거야.
하나가 다른 것보다 더 격식 있는 표현이야?
아니, 둘 다 모든 수준의 영어에서 사용돼. 순수하게 네가 무엇을 의미하느냐에 달린 문제야.
'stop + -ing'는 항상 '영원히 그만두다'라는 뜻이야?
꼭 그렇지는 않아. 그냥 그 순간에 행동이 끝났다는 뜻일 뿐이야.
피곤해서 달리기를 멈췄어(I stopped running because I was tired).내일 다시 달릴 수도 있겠지(아마도).
다른 사람이 무언가를 못 하게 멈췄다고 말하고 싶을 때는?
'stop + 사람 + from + -ing' 형태를 써봐.
그가 떠나지 못하게 막았어(I stopped him from leaving).
영어는 왜 이래?
언어는 우리가 빠질 만한 '함정'을 만드는 걸 좋아하거든. 그래야 재미있으니까! 계속 연습하다 보면, 곧 문법에 대해 생각하려고 멈추는(stopping to think) 일이 점점 줄어들고 자연스러워질 거야.
2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Do not stop
|
Don't stop
|
Don't stop believing.
|
|
Does not stop
|
Doesn't stop
|
He doesn't stop to rest.
|
|
Did not stop
|
Didn't stop
|
I didn't stop running.
|
Conjugating 'Stop' with Gerunds and Infinitives
| Tense | Stop Form | Gerund (Cessation) | Infinitive (Purpose) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
stops / stop
|
He stops smoking.
|
He stops to smoke.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
is/are stopping
|
She is stopping working.
|
She is stopping to work.
|
|
Past Simple
|
stopped
|
I stopped eating.
|
I stopped to eat.
|
|
Past Continuous
|
was/were stopping
|
They were stopping fighting.
|
They were stopping to fight.
|
|
Future (Will)
|
will stop
|
You will stop crying.
|
You will stop to cry.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
has/have stopped
|
We have stopped going.
|
We have stopped to go.
|
Meanings
The verb 'stop' changes its meaning based on whether it is followed by a gerund (-ing) or an infinitive (to + verb). The gerund indicates the activity being terminated, while the infinitive indicates the purpose of a pause.
Cessation of Activity
Ending the action described by the gerund. The action is the object of the stopping.
“Please stop talking while I am presenting.”
“I stopped buying plastic bottles to save money.”
Interruption for Purpose
Pausing a current (often unstated) activity in order to perform the action described by the infinitive.
“On my way home, I stopped to buy some milk.”
“We stopped to look at the sunset during our hike.”
Negative Commands
Using the gerund to tell someone to cease a behavior immediately.
“Don't stop believing!”
“Stop making that annoying noise!”
Reference Table
| 구조 | 의미 | 예문 | 의도 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Stop + Gerund (-ing)
|
활동을 중단하다
|
I stopped smoking.
|
흡연 행위가 끝났어요.
|
|
Stop + Infinitive (to + verb)
|
다른 일을 하기 위해 잠시 멈추다
|
I stopped to smoke.
|
담배를 피우기 위해 하던 일을 잠시 멈췄어요.
|
|
Stop + Gerund (-ing)
|
진행 중인 행동을 끝내다
|
She stopped working at 5 PM.
|
그녀의 하루 업무가 끝났어요.
|
|
Stop + Infinitive (to + verb)
|
어떤 이유로 행동을 중단하다
|
She stopped to take a call.
|
전화를 받기 위해 하던 일을 잠시 멈췄어요.
|
|
Stop + Gerund (-ing)
|
습관을 포기하다
|
He stopped biting his nails.
|
손톱을 물어뜯는 습관을 그만뒀어요.
|
|
Stop + Infinitive (to + verb)
|
목표를 위해 일시적으로 멈추다
|
He stopped to buy groceries.
|
식료품을 사기 위해 가던 길을 잠시 멈췄어요.
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
I have ceased working for the corporation. (Career change)
I stopped working at the office. (Career change)
I quit working there. (Career change)
I ditched that 9-to-5. (Career change)
Stop + Gerund vs. Infinitive
Stop + Gerund (-ing)
- 행동이 끝남 활동을 중단함
- 습관 끊기 반복되는 행동을 포기함
- 더 이상 안 함 중단을 나타냄
Stop + Infinitive (to + verb)
- 목적을 위해 멈춤 다른 일을 위해 한 행동을 중단함
- 멈춘 이유 왜 멈췄는지 설명함
- 일시적인 휴식 짧은 중단
Stop: 그만두기 vs. 잠시 멈추기
Stop + Gerund 또는 Infinitive 선택하기
어떤 행동을 완전히 끝내고 있나요?
다른 것을 하기 위해 잠시 멈추고 있나요?
일상생활 속 'Stop' 상황
습관 끊기
- • Stop eating junk food
- • Stop biting nails
- • Stop procrastinating
목적을 위해 멈추기
- • Stop to get coffee
- • Stop to ask directions
- • Stop to take a photo
활동 끝내기
- • Stop watching TV
- • Stop working
- • Stop arguing
진행 중단하기
- • Stop to make a call
- • Stop to tie shoes
- • Stop to admire view
수준별 예문
Stop running in the house!
Stop running in the house!
I stop to drink water.
I stop to drink water.
He stopped talking.
He stopped talking.
They stop to see the dog.
They stop to see the dog.
I stopped eating meat last year.
I stopped eating meat last year.
We stopped to take a photo of the mountain.
We stopped to take a photo of the mountain.
Did you stop to buy the bread?
Did you stop to buy the bread?
Please stop making that noise.
Please stop making that noise.
I've stopped checking my emails after 8 PM.
I've stopped checking my emails after 8 PM.
The hikers stopped to catch their breath.
The hikers stopped to catch their breath.
She stopped to ask for directions to the station.
She stopped to ask for directions to the station.
You should stop worrying about things you can't control.
You should stop worrying about things you can't control.
The company stopped manufacturing that model due to low sales.
The company stopped manufacturing that model due to low sales.
On our way to the gala, we stopped to pick up the flowers.
On our way to the gala, we stopped to pick up the flowers.
He stopped to consider the consequences of his actions.
He stopped to consider the consequences of his actions.
The government has stopped funding the project.
The government has stopped funding the project.
The philosopher stopped to contemplate the nature of existence.
The philosopher stopped to contemplate the nature of existence.
The engine stopped working altogether after the long journey.
The engine stopped working altogether after the long journey.
We must stop viewing the environment as an infinite resource.
We must stop viewing the environment as an infinite resource.
She stopped to admire the intricate craftsmanship of the vase.
She stopped to admire the intricate craftsmanship of the vase.
The protagonist stopped to reflect upon the sheer audacity of the plan.
The protagonist stopped to reflect upon the sheer audacity of the plan.
The committee stopped short of recommending a total ban.
The committee stopped short of recommending a total ban.
One must stop to appreciate the ephemeral beauty of the cherry blossoms.
One must stop to appreciate the ephemeral beauty of the cherry blossoms.
The heart stopped beating for several seconds during the procedure.
The heart stopped beating for several seconds during the procedure.
혼동하기 쉬운
Both verbs change meaning based on the following form, but the logic is slightly different (past memory vs future task).
Try + -ing means an experiment; Try + to means an effort. Stop is more about cessation vs purpose.
Quit only takes the gerund. Stop takes both.
자주 하는 실수
I stop to smoke (meaning I quit).
I stopped smoking.
Stop to talk!
Stop talking!
He stopped to working.
He stopped working.
I stopped for eat.
I stopped to eat.
We stopped for taking photos.
We stopped to take photos.
I didn't stop to smoking.
I didn't stop smoking.
She stopped to buyed milk.
She stopped to buy milk.
I stopped to use my phone while driving.
I stopped using my phone while driving.
The rain stopped to fall.
The rain stopped falling.
He stopped to be a doctor.
He stopped being a doctor.
The car stopped to run.
The car stopped running.
I stopped to think about it (meaning I quit thinking).
I stopped thinking about it.
They stopped to fund the project.
They stopped funding the project.
문장 패턴
I stopped ___ because it was too expensive.
On my way to ___, I stopped to ___.
Please stop ___! I'm trying to ___.
The company stopped ___ to focus on ___.
Real World Usage
Stop texting me, I'm in a meeting!
In 500 meters, stop to pay the toll.
I stopped working there to travel the world.
Have you stopped taking your medication?
I can't stop laughing at this meme!
Please stop smoking in the terminal.
'목적' vs '그만두기'를 생각해요
Am I stopping one thing *in order to* do another (purpose), or am I *quit* the action entirely?
'Stop for'와 헷갈리지 마세요
문맥이 가장 중요해요!
Always consider the surrounding conversation.
미묘한 사회적 신호
행동을 머릿속으로 그려봐요
If someonestops working(-ing), their computer might shut down. If theystop to work(to + verb), they might just open a laptop for a quick task.
Smart Tips
Use 'stop to' for every landmark or gas station you visited.
Use 'stop -ing' for all the bad habits you want to quit.
Check if there is a 'to' or an '-ing' immediately after to understand the plot.
Use 'Would you mind stopping...ing' instead of 'Stop...ing'.
발음
The 'ed' in Stopped
The 'ed' in 'stopped' is pronounced as a /t/ sound because it follows a voiceless /p/.
Linking 'Stop to'
When saying 'stop to', the 'p' and 't' are both stops. There is a tiny pause between them.
Emphasis on the Verb
I stopped SMOKING (not drinking).
Focuses on the specific action that was quit.
Emphasis on the Purpose
I stopped to EAT (not to sleep).
Focuses on the reason for the pause.
암기하기
기억법
ING is for the thing you are ENDING. TO is for the thing you are going TO do.
시각적 연상
Imagine a smoker throwing a cigarette in the trash (Stop smoking). Now imagine a hiker stopping at a bench to tie their shoe (Stop to tie shoe).
Rhyme
Stop with -ing, end the thing. Stop with to, something new to do.
Story
I was driving to work when I saw a beautiful flower. I stopped driving (gerund) because I wanted to look at it. I stopped to look (infinitive) at the flower for five minutes.
Word Web
챌린지
Write two sentences about your morning: one thing you stopped doing (e.g., checking social media) and one thing you stopped to do (e.g., buy coffee).
문화 노트
In the UK, 'stop' is frequently used with 'for' + noun (e.g., 'stop for a tea') as an alternative to the infinitive.
Americans often use 'stop by' or 'stop in' to mean a brief visit, which is a different phrasal verb usage.
In professional settings, 'stop to consider' is a polite way to say you are pausing a project to think about a problem.
The word 'stop' comes from the Old English 'stoppian', meaning to plug or close a hole.
대화 시작하기
What is one bad habit you stopped doing recently?
On your last vacation, where did you stop to take photos?
If you were driving across the country, what would you stop to see?
Have you ever stopped working to pursue a hobby?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
I need to stop ___ procrastinating on my assignments.
Choose the correct sentence:
Find and fix the mistake:
My grandpa stopped to smoke 10 years ago.
Score: /3
연습 문제
8 exercisesI was so thirsty that I stopped ___ some water.
He had a heart attack, so he stopped ___ immediately.
Find and fix the mistake:
We stopped *taking* a break after three hours of hiking.
I don't play the piano anymore.
A: Why are you late? B: I stopped ___ a flat tire for a stranger.
1. I stopped running. 2. I stopped to run.
'Stop to eat' means you are no longer eating.
Category Selection
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesI had to stop ___ for directions because my GPS died.
The factory stopped to pollute the river after new regulations.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Ella se detuvo para atarse los cordones.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
상황에 맞는 올바른 형태를 연결하세요:
I saw my old friend and stopped ___ hello.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Ella dejó de usar su teléfono después de la medianoche.'
They were running a marathon and stopped to drink water.
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Score: /11
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
Yes! For example: 'I stopped `smoking` (quit) to `save` (purpose) money.'
No, they simply have different meanings. Neither is more formal than the other.
This is grammatically incorrect. You should say 'I stopped to eat' or 'I stopped for a meal'.
No. 'Quit' only takes the gerund. You cannot say 'I quit to smoke'.
This is very unnatural. You would say 'I stopped smoking' or 'I paused to avoid the smoke'.
Yes, in these patterns, 'stop' is the main verb being conjugated.
Use the gerund: 'Stop `biting` your nails!'
In English, the infinitive 'to' often carries the meaning of 'in order to'.
Scaffolded Practice
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Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Dejar de vs Parar para
Spanish uses the infinitive for both, distinguished by the preposition (de vs para).
Arrêter de vs S'arrêter pour
French requires the reflexive 'se' for the physical act of pausing.
Aufhören vs Anhalten um zu
German uses entirely different verbs rather than one verb with two patterns.
~no o yameru vs ~tame ni tomaru
Japanese relies on different verbs and particles like 'tame ni'.
Tawaqquf 'an vs Tawaqquf li-
The preposition 'an' (from) is used for the gerund-equivalent meaning.
Tíngzhǐ vs Tíng xiàlái wèile
Chinese uses resultative verb endings and explicit 'in order to' conjunctions.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
관련 동영상
09:58 How We Make Money on YouTube with 20M Subs
05:57 Carrot Apple Pancakes | Food Wishes
09:15 What’s new in Android Studio Otter
stop -ing vs stop to V 차이점, 원어민은 이렇게 구분합니다!
라이브 아카데미
stop ing vs stop to V | 헷갈리는 영어 동명사 to부정사 차이점
영어 알려주는 남자
stop ing vs stop to V | 영어 문법 헷갈리는 동사들
잉글리쉬 인 코리아
Related Grammar Rules
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Overview 혹시 인스타그램 팔로워들에게 아침 커피가 긴 잠을 자고 나서 `feeling refreshed`한 기분이라고 실수로 말한 적이 있...
수동형 동명사 및 부정사 (being done / to be done)
Overview 다른 사람에 의해 `being directed`(감독되는) 영화 속 엑스트라가 된 기분을 느껴본 적 있나요? 아니면 퇴근 전 중요...
Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns (Want to Go / Enjoy Going)
## Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns ### Verbs + to + infinitive - **want**: I want **to eat**. - **need**: She ne...
영어 분사 구문: 동시에 두 가지 일을 하는 것 (V-ing)
### Overview 영어 학습의 여정에서 C1 레벨, 즉 고급 단계에 도달했다는 것은 단순히 문법 규칙을 아는 것을 넘어, 언어의 '경...
동사에서 명사로: 동명사와 부정사 (-ing / to) 사용법
### Overview 영어 학습의 최고 단계인 C1 수준에 도달한 여러분, 환영합니다. 이 단계에서 문법은 단순히 '맞고 틀림'의 문제...
