Gerund vs infinitive. Verb patterns depend on the verb and sometimes change meaning.
The idea
Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
Structure & examples
We decided to take the early train.
I enjoy cooking for friends.
Notice the pattern
Learn the pattern together with the verb: enjoy doing, avoid doing, decide to do, hope to do. A preposition normally takes -ing, as in interested in learning. Some verbs can take either form with a change in meaning, so a single rule cannot cover every verb.
I want to learn French.
She enjoys walking in the park.
Important notes & common mistakes
Say enjoy reading, not enjoy to read.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Extended topic: Gerund vs infinitive
Verb patterns depend on the verb and sometimes change meaning. Remember doing recalls a past event; remember to do concerns a duty. Stop doing ends an activity; stop to do interrupts another activity for a purpose. Avoid takes -ing; decide takes to-infinitive.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
Remember to lock the door before leaving.
I remember meeting her last year.
He stopped smoking because it was bad for him. (ended the habit)
We stopped to buy some water. (purpose)
They avoided talking about money.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
She enjoys ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: painting
Completed sentence: She enjoys painting. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
We hope ___ you soon.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to visit
Completed sentence: We hope to visit you soon. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
He avoided ___ the question.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: answering
Completed sentence: He avoided answering the question. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
They agreed ___ outside.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to wait
Completed sentence: They agreed to wait outside. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
Question 1 of 50% complete
We decided ___ the early train.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to take
Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: painting
Completed sentence: She enjoys painting. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to visit
Completed sentence: We hope to visit you soon. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: answering
Completed sentence: He avoided answering the question. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to wait
Completed sentence: They agreed to wait outside. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: reading
Completed sentence: Use read: I enjoy reading before bed. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to move
Completed sentence: Use move: We decided to move abroad. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: talking
Completed sentence: Use talk: Please avoid talking during the film. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to help
Completed sentence: Use help: She offered to help us. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: working
Completed sentence: Use work: He finished working at six. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: I enjoy cooking for friends
Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope. Say enjoy reading, not enjoy to read.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: I want to learn French
I want to learn French. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope. Say enjoy reading, not enjoy to read.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: She enjoys walking in the park
She enjoys walking in the park. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope. Say enjoy reading, not enjoy to read.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: They decided to stay overnight
They decided to stay overnight. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope. Say enjoy reading, not enjoy to read.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: He avoided answering my question
He avoided answering my question. Some verbs take -ing, such as enjoy and avoid. Others take to + base verb, such as decide and hope. Say enjoy reading, not enjoy to read.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to lock
Completed sentence: Remember to lock the door before leaving. Verb patterns depend on the verb and sometimes change meaning. Remember doing recalls a past event; remember to do concerns a duty. Stop doing ends an activity; stop to do interrupts another activity for a purpose. Avoid takes -ing; decide takes to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: meeting
Completed sentence: I remember meeting her last year. Verb patterns depend on the verb and sometimes change meaning. Remember doing recalls a past event; remember to do concerns a duty. Stop doing ends an activity; stop to do interrupts another activity for a purpose. Avoid takes -ing; decide takes to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: smoking
Completed sentence: He stopped smoking because it was bad for him. (ended the habit) Verb patterns depend on the verb and sometimes change meaning. Remember doing recalls a past event; remember to do concerns a duty. Stop doing ends an activity; stop to do interrupts another activity for a purpose. Avoid takes -ing; decide takes to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to buy
Completed sentence: We stopped to buy some water. (purpose) Verb patterns depend on the verb and sometimes change meaning. Remember doing recalls a past event; remember to do concerns a duty. Stop doing ends an activity; stop to do interrupts another activity for a purpose. Avoid takes -ing; decide takes to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: talking
Completed sentence: They avoided talking about money. Verb patterns depend on the verb and sometimes change meaning. Remember doing recalls a past event; remember to do concerns a duty. Stop doing ends an activity; stop to do interrupts another activity for a purpose. Avoid takes -ing; decide takes to-infinitive.
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