We use Gerund (verb+ing):
- after propositions: rely on, depend on…
- as a subject: Reading is important for your imagination.
- after some words: admit, appreciate, avoid, be fond of, can’t help, consider, delay, deny, dislike, enjoy, finish, give up, hate, keep, love, mind, miss, put off, practise, postpone, quit, risk, recall, recommend, regret, tolerate, suggest.
We use infinitive:
- after adjectives: It isn’t easy to tell everything.
- to express purpose: They saved money to travel.
- after some words: afford, arrange, agree, appear, attempt, ask, dare, decide, forget, fail, expect, hesitate, help, hope, intend, invite, learn, manage, neglect, offer, plan, pretend, promise, propose, refuse, seem, tend, threaten, tell, want.
We use verbs followed by a gerund or infinitive with little to no change in meaning:
begin, start, can’t bear, can’t stand, continue, hate, like, love, prefer, propose.
Verbs followed by a gerund or infinitive with a change in meaning:
1.Try + inf.= to make an attempt:
I tried to sleep on the train but it was very hot.
Try + -ing= to do an experiment:
Try doing some exercises to feel better.
2.Remember + inf.= we remember that we have to do smth:
I remembered to take a key before I went.
Remember + -ing= remember smth that happened in the past:
I remember dancing with him.
3. Stop+ inf.= to stop in order to do smth:
He stopped to ask the way.
Stop+ -ing= finish or no longer continue:
Tim stopped smoking.
4. Forget+inf.=we forget that we have to do smth:
I forgot to buy some sugar.
Forget+ing= forget smth that happened in the past:
I forgot buying some sugar.
