VERBS THAT TAKE BOTH INFINITIVES AND GERUNDS

Certain verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, and, in most cases, there is no change in meaning.
Such verbs are attempt, intend, plan, can’t bear, can/can’t afford, omit and continue.
e.g. I can’t afford buying/to buy such an expensive dress.

However, for the following categories of verbs, the use of a particular form is accompanied by a slight change in
meaning or structure:

a) begin, start, cease

• + gerund: for voluntary actions or facts observable at a certain time
• + infinitive: for potential or repeated actions, without reference to a specific moment
She immediately started doing her homework.
You never cease to impress me.
NOTE: We do not normally use the gerund after the verbs begin, start, cease and continue when they are in the
continuous form (in order to avoid the sequence of two ing-forms) and when they are followed by stative verbs
like know or understand.
It was just starting to snow when we left.
I soon began to understand his behaviour.
b) love, like, prefer, hate, dread
• + gerund: in general statements
• + infinitive: for reference to a particular occasion
Although I don’t really like dancing, I loved to dance with Alex at that party.
c) remember, recall, recollect, forget, regret
• + gerund: for an action which occurred at an earlier point in the past
• + infinitive: for an action which has not been performed yet
I regret telling you all those things, but I was very angry.
I regret to tell you that you are completely wrong.
d) try
• + gerund: when it means “to do something as an alternative or as an experiment”
• + infinitive: when the meaning is “to make an effort”
Try taking this medicine: maybe you’ll feel better.
She tried to follow him, but soon gave up the attempt.
e) stop
• + gerund: when the action in question is interrupted
• + infinitive: used to express purpose
They stopped talking when I entered the room.
I stopped to talk to my next door neighbour.
f) mean
• + gerund: when its meaning is “to signify”
• + infinitive: when it means “to intend”
This would mean spending much more money than we could afford.
She really means to help you.
g) go on
• + gerund: when an existing action continues without interruption
• + infinitive: when it implies moving on to a different activity
He went on talking about his family for hours.
After closing the deal, they went on to talk about personal matters.
h) allow, permit, forbid, advise, suggest, recommend, propose, urge
• + gerund: when there is no direct object expressed
• + infinitive: after a direct object
Although the manager usually forbids smoking in his office, he allowed John to smoke there during the meeting.
i) need, want, require, deserve
• + active gerund
• + passive infinitive
Your house needs painting/ to be painted.