Doing or To Do? The Practical Guide to Choosing Between Gerunds and Infinitives
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| Learn when to use gerunds and infinitives with clear rules, examples, and practical exercises. |
Imagine you are telling a friend about your weekend plans. Which sentence sounds natural to your ears? 🤔
"I enjoy to swim in the morning." ❌
"I enjoy swimming in the morning." ✅
Now look at what happens when you change just one word:
"I want swimming in the morning." ❌
"I want to swim in the morning." ✅
Why does enjoy demand doing, while want demands to do?
To many English learners, this feels like an arbitrary puzzle designed to test your memory. But behind this classic dilemma lies a very simple principle of human communication:
1. "Doing" (The Gerund / -ing): Points to an activity, experience, or ongoing reality. You choose doing when you are talking about something you already know, practice, enjoy, or experience.
"I enjoy swimming." → You are describing the activity itself and the experience of doing it.
2. "To Do" (The Infinitive / to + verb): Points to a future goal, intention, choice, or purpose. You choose to do when you are looking forward toward an action that has not happened yet.
"I want to swim." → You are pointing forward to a future desire or plan.
Once you see this difference between experience (doing) and intention (to do), English verb patterns stop feeling like random lists to memorize and start making practical sense.
In this guide, we will explore how this single distinction unlocks the entire system: which verbs demand a gerund, which require an infinitive, which tricky verbs change their meaning completely, and how to make the right choice every time. 🎯✨
The Core Difference: Activity vs. Intention
Both gerunds and infinitives are verbals—words formed from verbs that function as nouns (and sometimes modifiers) in a sentence. Because both can act as subjects, objects, and complements, learners often wonder what sets them apart.
1. The Gerund (Verb + -ing): Focuses on the reality, experience, or ongoing nature of an action. It treats the action as an established activity or concept.
Swimming improves cardiovascular health. 🏊
She avoids driving in heavy traffic. 🚗
2. The Infinitive (To + Base Verb): Focuses on potential, future intention, purpose, or a specific goal. It looks forward to what might or should happen.
He hopes to study abroad next autumn. 🎓
We agreed to meet at noon. 🤝
Consider how this subtle shift in perspective dictates our natural verb pairings:
- When you say "I enjoy cooking," you are describing an activity you actually experience and take pleasure in while doing it (Gerund).
- When you say "I want to cook," you are pointing forward to a future goal or intention that has not happened yet (Infinitive).
Look at the word learning in these two sentences. In which sentence is it a gerund?
A) Learning a new language opens global doors.
B) Maria is learning Japanese this semester.
🔍 Reveal Analysis
✅ Sentence A contains the Gerund!
Explanation: In sentence A, Learning serves as the noun subject of the verb opens. In sentence B, learning is a present participle working with the helping verb is to form the present continuous tense.
💡 Core Intuition: If you are talking about an action as an experience, ongoing hobby, or completed reality, English strongly leans toward the gerund. If you are pointing toward a future outcome, plan, or purpose, English leans toward the infinitive.
Verbs Strictly Followed by Gerunds
Certain main verbs in English demand a gerund when an action directly follows them. These verbs almost always describe experiences, attitudes toward ongoing actions, completion, delay, or mental reflection.
Keep these high-yield verbs at your fingertips:
| Category | Verbs | Natural Example |
|---|---|---|
| Enjoyment & Attitude | enjoy, mind, dislike, appreciate, fancy | "Would you mind closing the window?" 🪟 |
| Avoidance & Delay | avoid, postpone, delay, escape, put off | "They decided to postpone launching the product." 🚀 |
| Continuation & Completion | finish, keep, quit, give up, practice | "Please keep working until the bell rings." 🔔 |
| Discussion & Consideration | admit, deny, suggest, recommend, consider, discuss | "The manager suggested hiring a consultant." 💼 |
| Risk & Involvement | risk, involve, imagine, miss, tolerate | "He wouldn't risk losing his investment." 📈 |
Many learners translate directly from their native languages and produce this very common error:
❌ He suggested me to apply for the job.
In standard English, suggest and recommend cannot take an object + infinitive. Use either a gerund or a that-clause:
✅ He suggested applying for the job.
✅ He suggested that I apply for the job.
Which sentence uses natural English verb patterns?
A) We should consider to hire an extra designer.
B) We should consider hiring an extra designer.
🔍 Reveal Answer
✅ Sentence B is correct: "consider hiring"
Explanation: Consider is a verb of mental reflection and contemplation; it strictly takes a gerund object.
Verbs Strictly Followed by Infinitives
When the main verb expresses desire, planning, commitment, choice, agreement, or future expectation, English almost exclusively requires the infinitive (to + verb).
| Category | Verbs | Natural Example |
|---|---|---|
| Desire & Hope | want, hope, wish, expect, long, desire | "We hope to visit our grandparents soon." 🏡 |
| Plans & Decisions | decide, plan, prepare, arrange, choose, aim | "She decided to accept the scholarship." 🎓 |
| Promises & Commitments | promise, agree, refuse, offer, swear, guarantee | "He promised to return the book tomorrow." 📖 |
| Attempt & Ability | attempt, manage, fail, afford, pretend, tend | "They couldn't afford to buy a new car." 🚗 |
| Hesitation & Reluctance | hesitate, demand, claim, seem, appear | "Do not hesitate to ask for clarification." 🙋 |
The infinitive has another superpower in English: it naturally explains motive or intention. In this role, to + verb is short for "in order to".
"I went to the store to buy groceries." 🛒 (Why did I go? In order to buy groceries.)
"She woke up early to catch the sunrise." 🌅
Notice that we never use a gerund with "for" to express an individual's conscious purpose:
❌ I came here for learning English.
✅ I came here to learn English.
Identify the sentence containing an error:
A) Marcus managed to submit his report before the deadline.
B) They refused cooperating with the authorities.
C) She pretended not to notice the awkward silence.
🔍 Reveal Correction
❌ Sentence B is incorrect!
Correction: "They refused to cooperate with the authorities."
Rule: Refuse indicates a decision or choice regarding a future action and must take an infinitive.
The Golden Preposition Rule (And the Sneaky "To" Trap)
If there is one unbreakable grammar rule in English, it is this:
Preposition + Gerund (-ing) = ALWAYS
Whenever a verb directly follows a preposition (such as in, at, on, of, for, about, with, without, after, before, by), that verb must take the -ing form.
Here are standard prepositional environments in everyday English:
"She is brilliant at solving complex puzzles." 🧩 (Preposition: at)
"Thank you for helping us with the move." 📦 (Preposition: for)
"He left the room without saying goodbye." 🚪 (Preposition: without)
"We are thinking about moving to a quieter neighborhood." 🏡 (Preposition: about)
The Sneaky Trap: When "TO" is a Preposition
This is where thousands of advanced learners lose points. We are so accustomed to seeing "to" as an infinitive marker (to go, to eat, to write) that we instinctively use a base verb whenever we see "to".
However, "to" is often a true preposition expressing connection or direction! When to is a preposition, it must be followed by a gerund.
Memorize these 5 frequent expressions:
- Look forward to + -ing: "I look forward to hearing from you soon." ✉️ (Not "to hear")
- Be / Get used to + -ing: "She is used to waking up early." ⏰ (Accustomed to an activity)
- Object to + -ing: "The residents objected to building a highway nearby." 🛣️
- Be committed / dedicated to + -ing: "He is dedicated to improving public healthcare." 🏥
- In addition to + -ing: "In addition to studying full-time, she works on weekends." 💼
💡 The "Noun Replacement" Test: How do you know if to is a preposition? Try replacing the verb with a simple noun (like "the event" or "it"). If the sentence still makes sense, to is a preposition and needs a gerund!
"I look forward to it / the concert." ✅ (Makes sense → use gerund: "looking forward to meeting you")
"I want to it / the concert." ❌ (Nonsense → use infinitive: "want to meet you")
Which sentence uses the correct verbal form?
A) We are looking forward to attend your graduation ceremony.
B) We are looking forward to attending your graduation ceremony. 🎓
🔍 Reveal Explanation
✅ Sentence B is correct: "forward to attending"
Explanation: In the phrasal verb look forward to, the word to is a preposition. Applying the Golden Preposition Law requires the gerund attending.
Verbs That Take Both: No Change vs. Meaning Changers
Some verbs can pair with either a gerund or an infinitive. But beware: while some verbs allow both with virtually no change in meaning, others change their meaning entirely depending on which form you choose!
Group A: Verbs with No Significant Change in Meaning
Verbs expressing the beginning, continuation, or emotional preference of an action can take either form with negligible difference in meaning:
start · begin · continue · like · love · hate · prefer
"It started to rain." = "It started raining." 🌧️
"She continued to read." = "She continued reading." 📖
"I love to swim in the ocean." = "I love swimming in the ocean." 🌊
💡 Stylistic Exception (Avoiding Double -ing): If the main verb is already in the continuous tense (-ing), always choose the infinitive to prevent awkward, clunky repetition:
❌ "It is starting raining." (Clunky!)
✅ "It is starting to rain." (Smooth and natural!)
Group B: The 6 Big Meaning-Changers
These six verbs represent one of the most critical topics in English grammar. Changing from a gerund to an infinitive radically alters the timeline and intent of the sentence.
| Verb | With Gerund (-ing) | With Infinitive (to + verb) |
|---|---|---|
| Remember | Looks back at a past memory: "I remember locking the door." (I have a clear memory of performing the action in the past.) |
Looks forward to a duty/task: "Please remember to lock the door." (Do not forget to do this task in the future.) |
| Forget | Forgets a past experience: "I'll never forget seeing the Eiffel Tower." (The past memory will stay with me forever.) |
Fails to carry out an obligation: "He forgot to buy milk on his way home." (He had a duty, but he failed to perform it.) |
| Stop | Terminates or quits a habit/action: "She stopped eating junk food." (She gave up the habit permanently.) |
Pauses one action to start another: "We stopped to eat lunch." (We interrupted our road trip in order to eat.) |
| Try | Experiments with an alternative method: "Have you tried drinking chamomile tea?" (Do it as an experiment to see if it helps.) |
Exerts effort to overcome difficulty: "He tried to lift the heavy barbell." (He made a physical effort to achieve a tough task.) |
| Regret | Feels remorse about a past deed: "I regret saying those harsh words." (I feel sorry for what I did earlier.) |
Reluctantly announces bad news: "We regret to inform you that the flight is canceled." (Formal notice of unfortunate news.) |
| Go on | Continues doing the same activity: "He went on talking for another hour." (He continued the exact same monologue.) |
Transitions to the next topic/phase: "After introducing the theory, he went on to explain the formula." (He moved to a new topic.) |
A doctor speaks to a patient who has been suffering from insomnia:
"You should try taking magnesium before bed."
Why did the doctor use taking instead of to take?
🔍 Reveal Explanation
✅ Explanation: The doctor is suggesting a new method or experiment to see if it solves the sleep problem (try + gerund). If the doctor had said "Try to take magnesium," it would imply that swallowing the pill itself is physically difficult or painful!
Verbs with Objects & Special Sentence Patterns
Some verbs change their verbal requirement based on whether they are followed directly by a person/object or not.
Pattern 1: Without an Object → Use Gerund
"The museum does not allow taking photographs." 📸
"Doctors advise getting at least eight hours of sleep." 😴
Pattern 2: With a Named Object/Person → Use Infinitive
"The museum does not allow visitors to take photographs."
"Doctors advise patients to get at least eight hours of sleep."
Bare Infinitives (Infinitives Without "To")
Not all infinitives wear a "to" jacket! After certain verbs, English requires a bare infinitive (the base form of the verb without to).
1. Modal Auxiliary Verbs: (can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must)
"You must arrive on time." (Not "must to arrive") ⏰
2. Causative Verbs: (make, let, have)
"The teacher made him rewrite the essay." ✍️
"Please let me explain what happened." 🗣️
3. Verbs of Perception: (see, hear, watch, feel, notice)
"I heard the door slam shut." 🚪 (Complete action witnessed)
"I heard the birds singing." 🐦 (Ongoing action witnessed)
When causative make is used in the passive voice, the infinitive with to returns:
Active: "They made him wait outside." (Bare infinitive)
Passive: "He was made to wait outside." ✅ (Full infinitive)
The 4-Step Decision Compass
When you encounter a blank in an exam or hesitate during a conversation, run through this 4-step mental decision tree to arrive at the correct verbal form in seconds.
Is there a preposition (in, of, at, without, for, about) directly before the verb slot? If yes, choose the Gerund (-ing) immediately.
Is the word before the slot "to"? Test if you can replace the verb with a noun ("I object to [this plan]"). If yes, it's a preposition → use Gerund. If not, it's an infinitive marker → use Base Verb.
Does the verb express why someone took an action? If the sentence answers the question "Why?", use the Infinitive of Purpose.
Identify the governing verb. Is it forward-looking planning/desire (want, decide, promise → Infinitive) or ongoing experience/reflection (enjoy, avoid, suggest → Gerund)? Is it a meaning-changer (remember, stop, try)?
Apply the 4-step compass to this sentence:
"After two hours of deliberation, the committee agreed ______ the budget." (increase)
🔍 Reveal Step-by-Step Solution
1. No preposition right before the blank (governing verb is agreed).
2. Agree expresses a mutual commitment regarding a future action.
3. Therefore, agree triggers an Infinitive.
✅ Correct Sentence: "The committee agreed to increase the budget."
Real-Life Error Analysis: 6 Learner Traps Fixed
Let's examine six authentic errors collected from real ESL student essays and workplace emails, and see exactly how to correct them with grammatical precision.
Trap 1: The Email Closing Error
❌ "I am looking forward to meet you next Tuesday."
✅ "I am looking forward to meeting you next Tuesday."
Diagnosis: To in look forward to is a preposition requiring a gerund.
Trap 2: The Double-Infinitive Causative
❌ "My supervisor let me to leave the office early."
✅ "My supervisor let me leave the office early."
Diagnosis: Causative verbs (let, make) require a bare infinitive in active voice.
Trap 3: The Broken Smoking Dilemma
❌ "The doctor advised him to stop to smoke."
✅ "The doctor advised him to stop smoking."
Diagnosis: Stop to smoke means pausing to light up a cigarette! Quitting the habit requires stop + gerund.
Trap 4: Misplaced Purpose with "For"
❌ "She went to the library for studying for her exam."
✅ "She went to the library to study for her exam."
Diagnosis: Express conscious personal purpose with an infinitive, not for + gerund.
Trap 5: The Transitive Advice Pattern
❌ "The company recommends to upgrade the software."
✅ "The company recommends upgrading the software." (or "...recommends us to upgrade")
Diagnosis: Without a named object, recommend takes a gerund.
Trap 6: The "Used to" Confusion
❌ "I am used to live in a noisy city."
✅ "I am used to living in a noisy city."
Diagnosis: Be used to means accustomed to (state/experience) and requires a gerund. (Contrast with "I used to live" = past finished habit).
Comprehensive Final Quiz: Test Your Mastery
You have explored the deep logic, the governing verb lists, the prepositional traps, the subtle meaning-changers, and the practical decision framework. 🏆
Now it’s time for the ultimate challenge! This 50-question comprehensive quiz tests your grasp across every level of difficulty. Read each sentence carefully, evaluate the governing context, and see how close you can get to a perfect score.
Let the master challenge begin! 🎯✨
Md. Golam Mostafa
Hi there! 👋 I'm Mostafa. I love sharing useful tips, ideas, and experiences that make learning easier and more enjoyable. Whether you're here to learn something new or just explore, I'm glad you stopped by. Let's keep learning and growing together!
