Verbs with Gerund or Infinitive: No Meaning Change
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Some English verbs like 'start', 'love', and 'continue' can be followed by either an -ing form or a 'to' form without changing meaning.
- Use either form with 'start' or 'begin': 'It started raining' or 'It started to rain'.
- Use either form with 'love', 'like', 'hate', 'prefer': 'I love swimming' or 'I love to swim'.
- Avoid 'double -ing': If the main verb is in -ing form, use the infinitive next.
Overview
English can be hard. Sometimes you use -ing or to. For some words, both are fine. The meaning is the same.
This helps you speak easily. Use it for things you like. Do not worry about mistakes here.
Some words use two ways. This is because English changed. These words are easy to use. The meaning stays the same.
You can choose either way. People will understand you. This is good for speaking.
How This Grammar Works
Formation Pattern
When To Use It
like:I like watching old movies./I like to watch old movies.love:My brother loves playing video games./My brother loves to play video games.hate:Many people hate doing chores./Many people hate to do chores.prefer:Do you prefer cooking at home or eating out?/Do you prefer to cook at home or to eat out?dislike:He dislikes arguing with his friends./He dislikes to argue with his friends.can't stand: (expresses strong dislike)She can't stand listening to loud music./She can't stand to listen to loud music.can't bear: (similar tocan't stand, often implies difficulty enduring something)I can't bear seeing animals suffer./I can't bear to see animals suffer.
begin:The lecturer began speaking about climate change./The lecturer began to speak about climate change.start:He started working on the project last week./He started to work on the project last week.continue:Despite the interruptions, she continued writing her essay./Despite the interruptions, she continued to write her essay.cease: (more formal thanstop)The company ceased operating in that region./The company ceased to operate in that region.
Common Mistakes
stop:I stopped smoking.(I quit the habit of smoking.) vs.I stopped to smoke.(I paused another activity in order to smoke.) Here, the meaning is distinctly different. Learners often assume the interchangeability extends to all verbs of beginning/ceasing, leading to miscommunication.try:He tried calling her.(He made an attempt to call her, perhaps to see if it worked or if she would answer.) vs.He tried to call her.(He made an effort or attempted to call her, implying difficulty or a specific goal.) Again, the nuance is critical.remember/forget:I remember seeing him before.(I recall a past event.) vs.I remember to see him.(I will make sure to see him; a future obligation.) The distinction is about past recollection versus future action/obligation.
- Incorrect:
I love to swimming. - Correct:
I love swimming.ORI love to swim.
- Scenario: You spend excessive time deliberating between
I like going outandI like to go out.
Real Conversations
Observing how native speakers employ these flexible verbs in various real-world contexts provides valuable insight into their natural usage. This demonstrates that the interchangeability of gerunds and infinitives with these verbs is not just a theoretical grammatical point but a practical aspect of everyday communication across different registers.
1. Informal Chat (Text Message):
In casual digital communication, brevity and ease of typing often influence choices, but both forms are equally acceptable.
- "Hey, wanna grab coffee? I start working on my essay tonight." (or start to work)
- "Ugh, hate waiting in line for anything. My pet peeve." (or hate to wait)
Here, the slight difference in character count might lead some to prefer the gerund, but both convey the exact same message to the recipient.
2. Professional Email (Semi-Formal):
Even in a more structured professional setting, these verbs retain their flexibility, allowing you to choose the form that contributes to the flow and tone of your writing.
- "We will begin drafting the proposal tomorrow morning." (or begin to draft)
- "I prefer communicating via email for this project." (or prefer to communicate)
The choice here might depend on established team conventions or personal writing style. Both options are grammatically sound and professionally appropriate.
3. Casual Conversation (Face-to-Face):
When speaking, the choice often comes down to what feels most natural or rhythmic in the sentence. There's no pressure to select one over the other for semantic reasons.
- "Do you like going to the beach in winter?" (or like to go)
- "Honestly, I can't stand losing my keys." (or can't stand to lose)
In spoken English, you might even hear both forms used by the same speaker within minutes, demonstrating the intrinsic interchangeability for these verbs. The subtle differences some grammarians note, such as gerunds feeling slightly more general or infinitives more about intention, are so minimal for this verb set that they are imperceptible to most native speakers and certainly do not affect understanding at the B1 level.
4. Academic Discussion (Formal):
In academic discourse, precision is paramount, yet these verbs still offer flexibility. The choice typically serves stylistic variation rather than conveying distinct meanings.
- "Researchers continued observing the cell division for several hours." (or continued to observe)
- "The committee began analyzing the preliminary data last week." (or began to analyze)
This broad applicability across different contexts underscores the utility and simplicity of this grammatical rule for B1 learners. Once you identify these verbs, you gain a significant degree of freedom in constructing your sentences.
Quick FAQ
Common Verbs with Gerund/Infinitive Flexibility
| Verb | Gerund Form (-ing) | Infinitive Form (to ...) | Meaning Change? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Start
|
I started running.
|
I started to run.
|
No
|
|
Begin
|
They began singing.
|
They began to sing.
|
No
|
|
Continue
|
She continued working.
|
She continued to work.
|
No
|
|
Like
|
I like cooking.
|
I like to cook.
|
No
|
|
Love
|
We love traveling.
|
We love to travel.
|
No
|
|
Hate
|
He hates waiting.
|
He hates to wait.
|
No
|
|
Prefer
|
I prefer driving.
|
I prefer to drive.
|
No
|
|
Can't stand
|
I can't stand lying.
|
I can't stand to lie.
|
No
|
Contractions with Preference Verbs
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
I do not like
|
I don't like
|
I don't like to dance / dancing.
|
|
She does not hate
|
She doesn't hate
|
She doesn't hate to clean / cleaning.
|
|
They did not start
|
They didn't start
|
They didn't start to eat / eating.
|
Meanings
A specific group of English verbs that allow the speaker to choose between a gerund (-ing) and an infinitive (to + verb) as their object, where both structures convey the same fundamental idea.
Aspectual Verbs (Starting/Continuing)
Verbs that describe the beginning or continuation of an action.
“She began to cry.”
“She began crying.”
Verbs of Emotion/Preference
Verbs that express how we feel about an activity.
“I hate to wake up early.”
“I hate waking up early.”
Verbs of Endurance
Verbs like 'can't bear' or 'can't stand' expressing inability to tolerate something.
“I can't bear to see him suffer.”
“I can't bear seeing him suffer.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (Gerund)
|
Subject + Verb + Verb-ing
|
I love swimming.
|
|
Affirmative (Infinitive)
|
Subject + Verb + to + Verb
|
I love to swim.
|
|
Negative (Gerund)
|
Subject + do/does not + Verb + Verb-ing
|
She doesn't like cooking.
|
|
Negative (Infinitive)
|
Subject + do/does not + Verb + to + Verb
|
She doesn't like to cook.
|
|
Question (Gerund)
|
Do/Does + Subject + Verb + Verb-ing?
|
Do you prefer driving?
|
|
Question (Infinitive)
|
Do/Does + Subject + Verb + to + Verb?
|
Do you prefer to drive?
|
|
Continuous (Infinitive only)
|
Subject + be + Verb-ing + to + Verb
|
It is starting to rain.
|
Formality Spectrum
I prefer to engage in photography during my leisure time. (hobbies)
I like to take photos in my free time. (hobbies)
I love taking photos when I'm free. (hobbies)
I'm totally into snapping pics. (hobbies)
The Interchangeable Verb Hub
Starting
- Start To begin an action
- Begin To start something
Feeling
- Love Strong like
- Hate Strong dislike
- Like Positive feeling
Gerund vs. Infinitive: No Meaning Change
Can I use either form?
Is the verb start, love, hate, or continue?
Is the main verb in the -ing form (e.g., 'starting')?
The 'Either-Or' Verb List
Emotions
- • Like
- • Love
- • Hate
- • Prefer
Actions
- • Start
- • Begin
- • Continue
- • Can't stand
Examples by Level
I like to swim in the sea.
I like swimming in the sea.
She loves to eat apples.
She loves eating apples.
It started to snow at noon.
It started snowing at noon.
I hate to do homework.
I hate doing homework.
He continued to talk for an hour.
He continued talking for an hour.
I can't stand to wait in traffic.
I can't stand waiting in traffic.
The company will begin to implement the new policy next month.
The company will begin implementing the new policy next month.
I prefer to travel alone rather than with a group.
I prefer traveling alone rather than with a group.
She couldn't bear to think about the consequences.
She couldn't bear thinking about the consequences.
The rain continued to lash against the window all night.
The rain continued lashing against the window all night.
The protagonist begins to realize the futility of his quest.
The protagonist begins realizing the futility of his quest.
One might prefer to interpret the data through a different lens.
One might prefer interpreting the data through a different lens.
Easily Confused
Learners think all verbs that take both forms have no meaning change.
Learners use the gerund after 'would like' because they can use it after 'like'.
Learners think 'enjoy' is interchangeable like 'like'.
Common Mistakes
I like for to swim.
I like to swim.
I like swim.
I like swimming / I like to swim.
I love to swimming.
I love swimming / I love to swim.
I am like eating.
I like eating.
It is starting raining.
It is starting to rain.
I would like eating.
I would like to eat.
I begin to working.
I begin to work / I begin working.
I prefer to walk than drive.
I prefer walking to driving / I prefer to walk rather than drive.
I can't stand to waiting.
I can't stand to wait / I can't stand waiting.
He continued to having fun.
He continued to have fun / He continued having fun.
I like to having my coffee early.
I like to have my coffee early.
Sentence Patterns
I started ___ (verb-ing) when I was ___ (age).
I can't stand ___ (verb-ing) in the ___ (place).
If it rains, we will continue ___ (to verb).
I prefer ___ (verb-ing) to ___ (verb-ing).
Real World Usage
I'm starting to get hungry!
I love working in team environments.
I prefer to have the dressing on the side.
Continue driving for two miles.
Loves traveling and meeting new people.
When did it start to hurt?
The 'Double -ing' Rule
Watch out for 'Would'
Variety is Key
British vs American
Smart Tips
Stick to one form for consistency. Either use all gerunds or all infinitives.
Instantly delete the -ing option from your mind. Only 'to' works here.
Use the infinitive to avoid the 'ing-ing' sound.
Use 'ing' + 'to' + 'ing' for the smoothest comparison.
Pronunciation
The 'to' reduction
In the infinitive form, 'to' is often reduced to /tə/ (schwa sound).
The -ing ending
The 'g' in -ing is often soft or silent in casual speech (nasal /ŋ/).
Emphasis on the verb
I LOVE ↗ swimming.
Conveys strong emotion.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
S.L.C.H. (Start, Love, Continue, Hate) — either way is Great!
Visual Association
Imagine a fork in the road where both paths lead to the exact same house. One path is labeled '-ing' and the other is 'to'.
Rhyme
Start or begin, to or -ing, it doesn't change a single thing!
Story
A chef started to cook (or started cooking). He loved to eat (or loved eating). He continued to work (or continued working) because he hated to stop (or hated stopping).
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about your morning routine using a different 'either-or' verb in each, alternating between gerunds and infinitives.
Cultural Notes
Americans slightly favor the infinitive ('I like to eat') in many daily contexts compared to some British dialects.
British speakers often use the gerund ('I like eating') to describe general enjoyment of an activity.
In formal research, 'begin' and 'continue' followed by an infinitive are very common to describe processes.
The gerund and infinitive have competed as verbal complements in English for centuries.
Conversation Starters
What is something you started to do recently?
Do you prefer to work in the morning or at night?
Is there a food you can't stand to eat?
What do you love doing on rainy days?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
I love ___ to music while I work.
Find and fix the mistake:
It is starting raining very hard.
I would like ___ a pizza tonight.
She began to cry when she heard the news.
The verbs 'start' and 'begin' have a different meaning when followed by a gerund versus an infinitive.
A: Do you want to go for a run? B: No, I hate ___ in the heat.
Identify the verb that only takes one form.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesI love ___ to music while I work.
Find and fix the mistake:
It is starting raining very hard.
I would like ___ a pizza tonight.
She began to cry when she heard the news.
The verbs 'start' and 'begin' have a different meaning when followed by a gerund versus an infinitive.
A: Do you want to go for a run? B: No, I hate ___ in the heat.
Identify the verb that only takes one form.
1. I prefer... 2. I would prefer...
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesI `love` ___ new restaurants in the city.
Choose the correct sentence:
They continued to working on the project despite the late hour.
Translate into English: 'Odio esperar en el tráfico.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the verbs with the correct forms:
He `can't stand` ___ in noisy environments.
My dog begins to barking whenever the doorbell rings.
Translate into English: 'Prefiero beber té por la mañana.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Choose the correct sentence:
Score: /11
FAQ (8)
For verbs like `start` and `love`, the difference is so small that even native speakers don't notice it. Some say the gerund is more 'general' and the infinitive is more 'specific', but you can safely use them interchangeably.
This is called the 'Double -ing' rule. English avoids having two words ending in -ing right next to each other because it sounds repetitive and is harder to pronounce.
No! `Stop` is a 'meaning-change' verb. 'Stop to smoke' means you paused to have a cigarette. 'Stop smoking' means you quit the habit.
Both are common. In formal writing, `begin` and `continue` followed by an infinitive (`to work`) are very frequent, but the gerund is also perfectly acceptable.
Be careful! If you use the gerund, use 'to': 'I prefer `swimming` to `running`'. If you use the infinitive, use 'rather than': 'I prefer `to swim` rather than `run`'.
Yes, `can't stand` fits this rule. 'I can't stand waiting' and 'I can't stand to wait' are both correct, though the gerund is more common in spoken English.
There is a slight statistical preference for 'like to' in American English and 'like -ing' in British English, but both are used in both dialects.
No. Any preference verb with `would` (would like, would love, would prefer) must be followed by the infinitive.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Infinitivo
Spanish speakers must learn to use the -ing form as an option in English.
Infinitif
French has no equivalent to the English gerund used as a verb object.
zu + Infinitiv / Nominalisierung
German doesn't have the 'either-or' flexibility within the same sentence structure.
Koto / No (Nominalizers)
The choice in Japanese often depends on whether the action is perceptible or abstract.
Masdar / An + Present
The choice is often more grammatically rigid than in English.
Verb as Object
Chinese learners must remember to add 'to' or '-ing' in English.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
English Verbs Followed by Gerund (-ing)
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