Verbal Infinitives

After certain verbs we use the -ing form, and after other verbs we use the infinitive. Sometimes we can use either form and there is no change in meaning. Occasionally we can use either form and there is a change in meaning.

The verbs followed by  -ing include enjoy, mind, stop and recommend.

I told him you really enjoy cooking.

Would you mind helping me?

The negative is verb + not + -ing.

Imagine not having pizza! I eat it all the time.

Verbs usually followed by -ing

stop    finish    imagine    suggest    recommend     avoid     mind     miss     risk   enjoy 

These include decide, want, promise, plan and forget.

She decided to go with Elliot instead.

I wanted to visit Rome.

She didn’t forget to phone.

The negative is verb + not + infinitive.

They decided not to make pizza.

Here are more verbs that are usually followed by the infinitive:

hope  offer  fail  agree  forget  manage  learn  afford  arrange  ask  expect  would like  decide  plan  promise  want  invite

 start, begin, continue and bother.

It started raining. or It started to rain.

Don’t bother waiting for me.  or Don’t bother to wait for me.

The verbs like, love and hate can be followed by -ing or the infinitive when talking about repeated actions.

I love reading long novels.   (British English or American English) 

I love to read long novels.    (American English)

But when we are talking about situations, we use the -ing form.

Paulo loves living by the beach in Rio.

Do you like working as a waitress?