Verb + to-infinitive or -ing

I want to go, I enjoy going: which verbs take to + verb, which take -ing, and which take both.

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When one verb follows another, the second verb is either to + verb (I want to go) or -ing (I enjoy going). The first verb decides which. There is no simple rule for it, so learn the common verbs in two lists.

Verb + to + verb

These verbs are followed by to + verb. Many of them are about the future: plans, wishes, decisions.

Verb + to	Example
want, would like, need, hope	I want to change my job.
decide, plan, promise, agree	We decided to stay at home.
learn, forget	She's learning to drive.

I need to buy a new phone.
They hope to visit us in the summer.
Don't forget to call your mum.
Incorrect: I want go home.
Correct: I want to go home.
After want, use to + verb.
Incorrect: We decided buying a new car.
Correct: We decided to buy a new car.

Want someone to do something

To say that you want another person to do something, use want + person + to + verb. English doesn't use that here.

I want you to listen.
My boss wants me to work on Saturday.
Would you like me to help?
Incorrect: I want that you help me.
Correct: I want you to help me.
After want, use the person + to + verb, not that.

Verb + -ing

These verbs are followed by the -ing form.

Verb + -ing	Example
enjoy, don't mind, can't stand	I enjoy cooking for friends.
finish, stop, keep	Have you finished eating?
practise, spend (time)	I spend a lot of time reading.

He keeps forgetting my name.
(He forgets it again and again.)
Stop talking, please.
Do you mind waiting a few minutes?
Incorrect: I enjoy to read in bed.
Correct: I enjoy reading in bed.
After enjoy, use -ing.
Incorrect: Have you finished to clean the kitchen?
Correct: Have you finished cleaning the kitchen?

A few verbs, like stop, forget and try, can also take the other form, with a different meaning: We stopped to buy water means we stopped in order to buy it. You will meet these at B1, on the page about verb patterns.

Both: like, love, hate, start

After like, love, hate, prefer, start and begin, both forms are possible, with little or no difference in meaning.

I like swimming. / I like to swim.
It started raining. / It started to rain.

But would like takes only to: I'd like to go, not I'd like going.

Incorrect: I would like going to the concert.
Correct: I would like to go to the concert.
Before a verb, would like always takes to.

After a preposition: -ing

When a verb comes straight after a preposition (at, in, of, about, for, before, after), it is in the -ing form.

She's very good at cooking.
I'm interested in learning Spanish.
Thank you for coming.
Wash your hands before eating.
Incorrect: I'm thinking about change my job.
Correct: I'm thinking about changing my job.
After about, use -ing.

Go + -ing for activities

We use go + -ing for many free-time activities.

Let's go swimming on Saturday.
We went shopping yesterday.
Do you often go running?

Not

Put not before to or before the -ing form.

I decided not to go.
I promise not to be late.
I enjoy not working on Fridays.

Practise this rule

Where this rule sits

All A2 rules Verb patterns: all rules

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like / love / hate + -ingA1Beginner