Everything you need to know which verb form to use after another verb in English, gerunds, infinitives, meaning-change verbs, prepositions and exam practice.
📖 Reading time: ~15 minutes✅ Reviewed by a CELTA-qualified teacher🎯 Covers A1 to B2
When one verb follows another in English, the second verb has to take a particular form, either the gerund (verb + -ing, acting like a noun) or the infinitive (to + verb). "I enjoy swimming" uses a gerund; "I want to swim" uses an infinitive. Both are grammatically correct sentence patterns, the challenge is knowing which verbs require which form.
Unfortunately there's no single logical rule that predicts which pattern a verb takes, it largely has to be learned verb by verb. This guide organises the most common verbs into clear, memorable groups to make that learning process as efficient as possible.
2. Quick Summary
⚡ Gerunds & Infinitives at a Glance
Gerundverb + -ing, used as a noun: swimming, reading, working
Infinitiveto + base verb: to swim, to read, to work
Example"I enjoy swimming" vs "I want to swim"
Common Mistake"I enjoy to swim", "enjoy" must be followed by a gerund
Memory TipAfter a preposition, it's always the gerund, no exceptions.
3. What Is a Gerund?
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun, it can be the subject or object of a sentence, just like any other noun.
Swimming is great exercise. (subject)
I enjoy reading. (object)
She's good at cooking. (after a preposition)
4. What Is an Infinitive?
The infinitive is "to" + the base form of the verb. It's used after many verbs, adjectives, and to express purpose.
I want to travel. (after a verb)
It's important to arrive on time. (after an adjective)
I called to ask about the job. (purpose, "in order to")
She decided to leave early. We agreed to meet at 6pm.
Verb + object + infinitive: want, ask, tell, expect, would like
I want you to come. She told him to wait.
7. Verbs Followed by Either, Same or Different Meaning
A small group of verbs can take either form. For some, the meaning stays essentially the same; for others, it changes significantly.
Verb
Meaning Change?
Example
like, love, hate, prefer
No, similar meaning
I like swimming. / I like to swim.
start, begin, continue
No, similar meaning
It started raining. / It started to rain.
remember, forget
Yes, significant difference
I remembered to lock the door (did it). I remember locking the door (recall doing it).
stop
Yes, significant difference
I stopped smoking (quit). I stopped to smoke (paused to do it).
try
Yes, subtle difference
I tried to open the door (attempted, may have failed). I tried opening the window (experimented as a solution).
🎯
remember/forget + gerund vs infinitive
This is one of the most heavily tested distinctions at higher levels: "remember + infinitive" is about not forgetting to do something (before the action); "remember + gerund" is about recalling something you already did (after the action).
8. After Prepositions, Always the Gerund
This is one of the most reliable rules in English grammar: a verb directly after a preposition is always a gerund, with no exceptions.
She's interested in learning Spanish. (not "to learn")
I'm good at solving problems.
Thank you for helping me.
Before leaving, check the windows.
9. Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect
✅ Correct
Why
I enjoy to swim.
I enjoy swimming.
"Enjoy" must be followed by a gerund, never an infinitive.
She decided going to Spain.
She decided to go to Spain.
"Decide" must be followed by an infinitive.
I'm interested to learn Spanish.
I'm interested in learning Spanish.
After a preposition ("in"), always use the gerund.
I stopped to smoke five years ago. (meaning: quit)
I stopped smoking five years ago.
"Stop + gerund" means quit; "stop + infinitive" means pause to do something.
She's good in cooking.
She's good at cooking.
Not a gerund issue directly, but a common paired error, "good at," not "good in."
10. Exercises
A. Gap Fill, Complete with the gerund or infinitive (15 questions)
1. I enjoy ___ (swim) in the sea.
2. She decided ___ (leave) early.
3. I'm interested in ___ (learn) French.
4. He avoided ___ (answer) the question.
5. We agreed ___ (meet) at 6pm.
6. I'm looking forward to ___ (see) you.
7. She finished ___ (write) the report.
8. They want ___ (travel) around the world.
9. I remembered ___ (lock) the door before I left.
10. I remember ___ (visit) Paris as a child, it was magical.
11. She stopped ___ (smoke) two years ago.
12. He stopped ___ (buy) coffee on his way to work.
13. Thank you for ___ (help) me.
14. I promise ___ (call) you tonight.
15. Before ___ (leave), check your bags.
Show Answers (A)
1. swimming 2. to leave 3. learning 4. answering 5. to meet 6. seeing 7. writing 8. to travel 9. to lock 10. visiting 11. smoking 12. to buy 13. helping 14. to call 15. leaving
B. Multiple Choice (10 questions)
1. I enjoy ___ books. (a) to read (b) reading
2. She decided ___ home early. (a) to go (b) going
3. He's good at ___ problems. (a) to solve (b) solving
4. They want ___ to Spain this summer. (a) to travel (b) travelling
5. I finished ___ the report. (a) to write (b) writing
6. She's interested in ___ languages. (a) to learn (b) learning
7. We agreed ___ at 6pm. (a) to meet (b) meeting
8. I remembered ___ the door. (a) to lock (b) locking
9. I stopped ___ five years ago (quit). (a) to smoke (b) smoking
10. Thank you for ___ me. (a) to help (b) helping
Show Answers (B)
1.b 2.a 3.b 4.a 5.b 6.b 7.a 8.a 9.b 10.b
C. Error Correction (10 questions)
1. I enjoy to swim.
2. She decided going to Spain.
3. I'm interested to learn Spanish.
4. He avoided to answer the question.
5. We agreed meeting at 6pm.
6. She's good in cooking.
7. I finished to write the report.
8. They want travelling the world.
9. Thank you to help me.
10. I'm looking forward to see you.
Show Answers (C)
1. I enjoy swimming. 2. She decided to go to Spain. 3. I'm interested in learning Spanish. 4. He avoided answering the question. 5. We agreed to meet at 6pm. 6. She's good at cooking. 7. I finished writing the report. 8. They want to travel the world. 9. Thank you for helping me. 10. I'm looking forward to seeing you.
D. Freer Practice, Write Your Own Sentences (3 tasks)
1. Write a sentence with a verb followed by a gerund (e.g. enjoy, avoid, finish).
2. Write a sentence with a verb followed by an infinitive (e.g. want, decide, hope).
3. Write a sentence using a gerund directly after a preposition.
Show Answers (D)
Model answers will vary. Examples: 1. "I enjoy cooking on weekends." 2. "I hope to visit Japan next year." 3. "She's excited about starting her new job."
11. Mini Quiz
12. Exam Focus, Cambridge, IELTS, SELT
Exam
How Gerunds/Infinitives Are Tested
Sample Question
Cambridge B1 Preliminary / B2 First
Verb pattern accuracy in Use of English, especially remember/stop/try distinctions.
"I ___ (finish) writing the report." (finished)
Cambridge C1 Advanced
Nuanced meaning-change verbs (stop, try, remember) frequently tested in transformations.
Precise use of "stop to do" vs "stop doing" in complex sentences.
IELTS Writing & Speaking
Frequent, natural gerund/infinitive accuracy is a strong marker of range and accuracy.
Using "I'm interested in learning about..." fluently in Speaking Part 3.
Trinity GESE/ISE (SELT)
Natural verb pattern use throughout conversation, especially with common verbs like want, enjoy, decide.
"What do you enjoy doing in your free time?"
13. Frequently Asked Questions
The -ing form of a verb used as a noun, such as 'swimming' in 'I enjoy swimming.'
'To' + the base form of a verb, such as 'to swim' in 'I want to swim.'
There's no single rule, it has to be learned verb by verb. This guide groups the most common verbs to make that easier.
A gerund, with no exceptions, 'interested in learning,' not 'interested in to learn.'
Yes, significantly. 'Remember to do' is about not forgetting (before the action); 'remember doing' is about recalling a memory (after the action). The same logic applies to 'stop.'
Generally no, 'I like swimming' and 'I like to swim' mean essentially the same thing.
Yes, natural, accurate verb patterns are common throughout everyday conversational topics like hobbies and plans.
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