Verbs followed by ‘ing’ or by ‘to + infinitive’ 2

These are some of the most common ones.

like

• I like watching old films on TV.

With an ‘ing’ form, ‘like’ means ‘enjoy’

• I like to wash up as soon as I finish eating.

I might not enjoy washing up but I think it’s the right thing to do.

Remember that ‘would like’ can only be followed by an infinitive.

• I’d like to go to Japan next year, if possible.

try

• I’m trying to learn Japanese but it’s very difficult.

Try + to + infinitive means that something is difficult and you make an attempt to do it.

• Have you tried using butter instead of oil?

Try + ‘ing’ means make an experiment. It’s not difficult – it might work, it might not.

stop

Stop + ‘ing’ tells us what has stopped. in this example, buying a newspaper.

• I’ve stopped buying a newspaper every day to try to save money.

Stop + to + infinitive tells us why something stopped. In this example the reason that the bus stopped was to pick up the children.

• The bus stopped to pick up the children.

remember /forget

• Don’t forget to post that letter for me.
• Did you remember to post that letter for me?

Remember/forget + to + infinitive means that you remember something you have to do – a duty or a chore.

• I’ll always remember meeting you for the first time.
• I’ll never forget meeting you for the first time.

Remember/forget + ‘ing’ form means remember something you did in the past – an event or an activity.