Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns (Want to Go / Enjoy Going)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Some verbs require an infinitive (to + verb), while others require a gerund (-ing) to complete their meaning.
- Use 'to' + verb after verbs like 'want' or 'decide': I want to go.
- Use '-ing' after verbs like 'enjoy' or 'finish': I enjoy swimming.
- Some verbs take both with little meaning change: I like to eat / I like eating.
Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns
| to + infinitive | -ing (gerund) |
|---|---|
| want, need, decide, hope, plan, forget, try | enjoy, finish, stop, suggest, mind, keep |
| I want to eat. | I enjoy swimming. |
| She decided to leave. | He stopped smoking. |
After prepositions → always -ing
- She left without saying goodbye.
- I'm good at cooking.
- Thanks for helping me.
Both patterns (love/like/hate)
- She loves to read / loves reading. ✅ (both OK)
Verb Pattern Formation
| Pattern | Main Verb | Complement | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Infinitive
|
Want
|
to + V
|
I want to go
|
|
Infinitive
|
Decide
|
to + V
|
I decide to stay
|
|
Infinitive
|
Hope
|
to + V
|
I hope to win
|
|
Gerund
|
Enjoy
|
V-ing
|
I enjoy reading
|
|
Gerund
|
Finish
|
V-ing
|
I finish working
|
|
Gerund
|
Avoid
|
V-ing
|
I avoid running
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction |
|---|---|
|
I want to
|
I wanna (informal)
|
|
Going to
|
Gonna (informal)
|
Meanings
This grammar rule dictates which form a second verb must take when following a main verb in a sentence.
Infinitive Complement
Used after verbs expressing intent, desire, or future plans.
“I want to sleep.”
“He hopes to win.”
Gerund Complement
Used after verbs expressing preference, completion, or ongoing states.
“I enjoy reading.”
“She finished working.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
S + V + to + V
|
I want to eat
|
|
Affirmative
|
S + V + V-ing
|
I enjoy eating
|
|
Negative
|
S + don't + V + to + V
|
I don't want to go
|
|
Negative
|
S + don't + V + V-ing
|
I don't enjoy swimming
|
|
Question
|
Do + S + V + to + V?
|
Do you want to leave?
|
|
Question
|
Do + S + V + V-ing?
|
Do you enjoy dancing?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Yes, I do / No, I don't
|
Yes, I do
|
Formality Spectrum
I wish to depart. (Leaving a party)
I want to go home. (Leaving a party)
I wanna head out. (Leaving a party)
I'm bouncing. (Leaving a party)
Verb Pattern Map
To-Infinitive
- Want Querer
- Decide Decidir
Gerund
- Enjoy Disfrutar
- Finish Terminar
Examples by Level
I want to eat.
I like to run.
I enjoy swimming.
I need to go.
She decided to stay.
He finished working.
Do you want to play?
I avoid eating sugar.
I hope to see you soon.
They suggested going home.
I remember locking the door.
I stopped to buy coffee.
He claims to have finished.
She regrets not studying.
They intend to move abroad.
I appreciate your helping me.
The project requires being careful.
He appears to be struggling.
She managed to complete it.
They considered moving house.
He tends to overthink things.
I recall having met him.
She is accustomed to working late.
They strive to achieve excellence.
Easily Confused
Learners think they are the same.
Learners confuse the time frame.
Learners confuse effort vs. experiment.
Common Mistakes
I want eating.
I want to eat.
I enjoy to swim.
I enjoy swimming.
I want to eats.
I want to eat.
I finish to work.
I finish working.
She decide to go.
She decided to go.
They avoid to talk.
They avoid talking.
Do you enjoy to read?
Do you enjoy reading?
I stopped to smoke.
I stopped smoking.
I suggest to go.
I suggest going.
I look forward to hear.
I look forward to hearing.
He is used to work.
He is used to working.
I regret to tell you.
I regret telling you.
They consider to move.
They consider moving.
He managed to finishing.
He managed to finish.
Sentence Patterns
I want to ___.
I enjoy ___.
I decided to ___.
I finished ___.
Real World Usage
Wanna hang out?
I hope to contribute to your team.
I enjoy traveling.
I would like to order a pizza.
I plan to visit the museum.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Memorize in pairs
Don't conjugate
Use flashcards
Listen to music
Smart Tips
Check if the first verb is a 'to' or '-ing' verb.
Use 'I look forward to' + gerund.
Use 'enjoy' + gerund.
Use 'plan' + infinitive.
Pronunciation
Wanna
In casual speech, 'want to' becomes 'wanna'.
Statement
I want to ↗go.
Neutral statement of intent.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
To is for the future, -ing is for the habit.
Visual Association
Imagine a 'To' arrow pointing forward to a goal, and an '-ing' circle showing a continuous loop of a hobby.
Rhyme
If you want to go, use 'to' you know. If you enjoy playing, use '-ing' for saying.
Story
Sarah wanted to travel. She decided to pack. She enjoyed planning her trip. She finished packing her bags.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about your day using one 'to' verb and one '-ing' verb.
Cultural Notes
Very common to use 'wanna' and 'gonna' in casual settings.
More formal in writing, less use of 'wanna'.
Often uses 'reckon' followed by gerunds.
Infinitives come from Old English, while gerunds evolved from verbal nouns.
Conversation Starters
What do you want to do this weekend?
Do you enjoy cooking?
Have you finished reading any good books lately?
What do you plan to achieve this year?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
I want ___ (go) home.
I enjoy ___ (read).
Find and fix the mistake:
I finish to work.
I want to go.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
I / enjoy / swim
Which takes 'to'?
She ___ (want) to go.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesI want ___ (go) home.
I enjoy ___ (read).
Find and fix the mistake:
I finish to work.
I want to go.
Match: Want, Enjoy
I / enjoy / swim
Which takes 'to'?
She ___ (want) to go.
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
It marks the infinitive form.
Some verbs take both, like 'like'.
It's informal, avoid in formal writing.
No, it stays in the base or gerund form.
It sounds unnatural to native speakers.
Yes, some verbs change meaning.
Use flashcards and speak daily.
Yes, very common in emails.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Querer + infinitive
Spanish rarely uses gerunds as direct objects.
Vouloir + infinitive
French uses infinitives where English uses gerunds.
zu + infinitive
German relies almost exclusively on infinitives.
Verb-stem + tai
Japanese uses agglutination instead of auxiliary particles.
Masdar (verbal noun)
Arabic grammar is root-based.
Verb + Verb
Chinese has no verb conjugation or complement markers.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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