Gerund or Infinitive After Common Verbs

One of the trickiest grammar topics for English learners is deciding whether to use a gerund (verb + –ing) or an infinitive (to + verb) after certain verbs. While both forms look simple, choosing the wrong one can completely change the meaning of a sentence — or make it sound unnatural.

The good news is that verbs tend to follow predictable patterns. Once you understand which verbs take gerunds, which take infinitives, and which accept both, you'll be able to form sentences more confidently and naturally.

1. When to Use the Gerund (Verb + –ing)

A gerund acts like a noun in a sentence and is often used after verbs that describe enjoyment, avoidance, or completion. These verbs typically refer to activities or experiences.

Common verbs followed by a gerund include:

enjoy — enjoy reading
avoid — avoid talking
finish — finish working
mind — don’t mind waiting
suggest — suggest going
consider — consider moving

The pattern is simple:

verb + –ing

Here are some examples:

Verb	Gerund Form	Example
enjoy	enjoy + –ing	I enjoy cooking on weekends.
suggest	suggest + –ing	She suggested meeting earlier.
avoid	avoid + –ing	They avoided talking about it.

Think of gerunds as actions you’re actively doing or experiencing.

2. When to Use the Infinitive (to + verb)

The infinitive is used after verbs that express intent, desire, decisions, or plans. These verbs point toward something that has not yet happened.

Common verbs followed by an infinitive include:

want — want to eat
plan — plan to travel
decide — decide to leave
hope — hope to see
need — need to rest
promise — promise to call

The pattern is:

verb + to + verb

Verb	Infinitive Form	Example
want	want + to + verb	I want to learn Spanish.
decide	decide + to + verb	They decided to leave early.
hope	hope + to + verb	We hope to visit soon.

Infinitives feel more future-oriented — something you intend or expect to happen.

3. Verbs That Use Both — But With Different Meanings

Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive with a slight change in meaning. These verbs are often the source of confusion, but once you understand the difference, they become easy to use correctly.

Verb	Gerund Meaning	Infinitive Meaning	Examples
stop	stop an activity	stop in order to	He stopped smoking. / He stopped to smoke.
remember	remember a past action	remember something now so you can act	I remember meeting her. / Remember to call me.
try	experiment with methods	attempt to do something difficult	Try adding sugar. / Try to lift this box.

These distinctions change the meaning, so choose carefully.

4. Common Mistakes Learners Make

Many mistakes come from translation or assuming that verbs behave the same way in every language. English has many fixed patterns, so memorizing common verb groups helps a lot.

Some frequent errors include:

Saying “I suggested to go” ❌ instead of “I suggested going” ✔
Saying “I decided going” ❌ instead of “I decided to go” ✔
Using gerunds after verbs that require objects (e.g., “help”) when infinitives are correct

Learning the typical verb patterns is the easiest way to avoid these mistakes.

5. Make It Stick

Quick Memory Guide:
GERUND = enjoyment, avoidance, experience
INFINITIVE = plans, intentions, decisions

Mini Quiz

I want ___ a break. (to take / taking)
She enjoys ___ early. (getting / to get)
He stopped ___ coffee. (drinking / to drink) — choose based on meaning
They decided ___ abroad. (to move / moving)

Answers: to take / getting / both correct with different meanings / to move

Try this: Write 3 sentences using gerunds and 3 using infinitives.
Focus practice: Pick one verb group per day (e.g., “enjoy, avoid, suggest”) and make example sentences.
Real-world spotting: Look for patterns in movies or books and note which verbs take which form.

⭐ Pro Tip: When in doubt, check whether the verb describes a plan or an experience — this often reveals the correct form.

Conclusion

Knowing when to use a gerund or an infinitive becomes much easier once you understand the patterns behind common verbs. Gerunds typically follow verbs related to enjoyment or experience, while infinitives usually follow verbs connected to decisions or intentions. Some verbs allow both forms but change meaning, so keep an eye out for those exceptions. With consistent practice, these structures will soon feel natural and automatic in your speaking and writing.