Explanation
Exercises

🔤 Verbs + to + infinitive and Verbs + -ing

🟦 Verbs + -ing

Some verbs in English are followed by another verb in the -ing form. The most common of these verbs are verbs of liking and disliking: love, like, enjoy, don’t mind, don’t like, hate.

Examples:

  • I love going to the gym.
  • I like reading.
  • I enjoy travelling.
  • I don’t mind cooking.
  • I don’t like doing homework.
  • I hate getting up early.

The second verb is in the -ing form in the past too:

  • ✅ When I was a child, I hated going to school.
  • ❌ When I was a child, I hated went to school.

📝 -ing Spelling Rules

You can check the spelling of the -ing form of verbs in the table below:

Infinitive -ing form Spelling rule
run running Double final consonant after a short vowel
write writing Drop the final e
read reading Just add -ing
make making Drop the final e
swim swimming Double final consonant after a short vowel
open opening Just add -ing

🟩 Verbs + to-infinitive

Many verbs in English are followed by to-infinitive. Common examples:

  • I forgot to turn off the light.
  • I hope to see you soon.
  • I‘m learning to drive.
  • We need to arrive early.
  • She offered to help us.
  • We are planning to go to France.
  • Remember to lock the door.
  • I want to go home.
  • I would like to buy a new computer.

In the past, the second verb still uses to + infinitive:

  • ✅ I wanted to go home.
  • ❌ I wanted to went home.

💡 Would like vs Like

  • Would like + to + infinitive → I‘d like to study English. (= I want to do it.)
  • Like + -ing verb → I like studying English. (= I enjoy it.)

We use would you like… in polite offers:

  • Would you like a cup of coffee?
  • Would you like to dance with me?

❌ Common Mistakes:

  • ✅ I enjoy swimming. ❌ I enjoy to swim.
  • ✅ I want to go. ❌ I want going.
  • ✅ She started to cry. / She started crying. (✅ Both are correct!)
  • ✅ I don’t mind waiting. ❌ I don’t mind to wait.
  • ✅ I would like to come. ❌ I would like coming.
Exercises:
1
2
3

Verbs + to + infinitive
and verbs + -ing

Choose the correct infinitive or -ing forms.
1
Pam loves letters.
2
He decided French.
3
They enjoy games together.
4
She agreed me at the station.
5
We stopped on Sundays.
6
I hope you soon.
7
He dislikes up early.
8
They plan a new project next month.
9
Remember the documents before you leave.
10
She suggested a movie after dinner.

Verbs + to + infinitive
and verbs + -ing

Choose the correct infinitive or -ing forms
to complete these sentences.
1
They offered ____ me with my homework.
A.
B.
C.
2
I can’t afford ____ a new car.
A.
B.
C.
3
She admitted ____ a mistake.
A.
B.
C.
4
We plan ____ abroad next year.
A.
B.
C.
5
He enjoys ____ chess with his friends.
A.
B.
C.
6
Please remember ____ the lights before you leave.
A.
B.
C.
7
They decided ____ early to avoid traffic.
A.
B.
C.
8
She suggested ____ at a new restaurant.
A.
B.
C.
9
I hope ____ you again soon.
A.
B.
C.
10
He stopped ____ coffee.
A.
B.
C.

Verbs + to + infinitive
and verbs + -ing

Complete the sentences using the to + infinitive or the -ing forms
of the verbs in the list.
Word bank:
to close to do to see playing watering working to cook to play getting up watching
1
We decided the shop early today.
2
She promised dinner for us tonight.
3
I need my homework before I go out.
4
My friends plan tennis this afternoon.
5
I hope you at the meeting tomorrow.
6
I hate early on weekends.
7
They enjoy football every Saturday.
8
She suggested the new series tonight.
9
He likes the plants every morning.
10
We finished on the project last night.