Gerunds vs Infinitives: When to Use -ing and To

“I enjoy reading” and “I want to read” both talk about reading, but the second verb has a different form. The choice usually depends on the word before it. Learning gerunds vs infinitives becomes easier when you learn a short phrase, such as enjoy cooking or decide to leave, rather than storing the first verb on its own.

Recognise the two forms

An -ing form can name an activity: “Swimming is relaxing.” In this use, it is often called a gerund. A to-infinitive is to + base verb, as in to swim. In this lesson, we focus on these forms after another verb: “She enjoys swimming” and “She hopes to swim.”

Not every word ending in -ing is a gerund. In “She is swimming,” it is part of a continuous verb form. You do not need to identify every grammatical label before speaking, but recognising the different jobs prevents confusion.

Learn a few reliable verb patterns

“I enjoy to make models” does not follow the usual enjoy pattern. Change it to “I enjoy making models.” With want, make the opposite change: “I want making models” becomes “I want to make models.” The meaning of the first verb alone does not tell you every pattern; learn a few common combinations at a time.

You can compare more patterns in the British Council references for -ing forms and to-infinitives. Use them as a check when you meet a new verb.

Check the dictionary entry, not just the translation

A dictionary can show which form follows a verb. Search for the verb, choose the meaning you need and examine its examples. Write a complete phrase in your notes: “avoid leaving things until the last minute.” A translation by itself may not show that avoid is followed by an -ing form.

The guide to using a learner's dictionary explains how to read examples and patterns. Keep grammar notes separate from related word forms. A verb such as decide and a noun such as decision belong to a word family, but they do not necessarily fit the same sentence pattern.

Notice verbs that allow both

Some verbs can take either form. “I like walking” and “I like to walk” are both possible. The context and the speaker's emphasis can differ, so avoid the rule “like must always take -ing.” Would like is different: “I'd like to walk” is the useful pattern for expressing a wish or preference now.

With some verbs, changing the form changes the message clearly. “I stopped talking” means that I ended the talking. “I stopped to talk” means that I paused another activity in order to talk. Imagine someone walking: they stop walking, speak to a neighbour and then continue. The second sentence fits that situation.

Practise in a small personal paragraph

Write three sentences about one activity. For example: “I enjoy drawing maps. I want to learn more about colour. I decided to practise on Saturday.” Read them aloud and notice the phrase after each first verb. Then cover your notes and rebuild the paragraph from the ideas.

When you check your writing, circle the first verb in each pair. Ask which pattern it needs, rather than changing every second verb to the same form. Next time, add just one new combination, such as plan to visit or practise speaking. A small collection you can use confidently is more useful than an untested list.