Some verbs are followed by to ... (want to go), some by -ing (enjoy going), and a few take either. Would like, would love and similar always take to ...
A verbs + to ... (I want to do)
These verbs are followed by to ... (to do / to work / to be etc.):
want, hope, need, plan, expect, promise, decide, offer, refuse, try, forget, learn
- Where do you want to go on Saturday?
- There's plenty of time. We don't need to leave yet.
- Marcus has decided to give up his job.
- I forgot to lock the back door last night.
- My nephew is learning to swim.
- I tried to fix the boiler, but I made it worse.
B verbs + -ing (I enjoy doing)
These verbs are followed by -ing (doing / working / being etc.):
enjoy, mind, stop, finish, suggest
We say I enjoy singing, not 'I enjoy to sing'.
- I enjoy singing.
- I don't mind working at weekends.
- Has the baby stopped crying?
- Hannah suggested having a picnic.
C verbs + -ing or to ...
These verbs can take -ing or to .... The meaning is the same either way:
like, love, prefer, hate, start, begin, continue
- Do you like cooking? or Do you like to cook?
- I prefer going by train. or I prefer to go by train.
- Our dog loves swimming. or Our dog loves to swim.
- I hate waiting in queues. or I hate to wait in queues.
- It started snowing. or It started to snow.
D would like to ... (etc.)
would like, would love, would prefer, would hate are followed by to ....
We say I'd like to see it, not 'I'd like seeing it'. (I'd = I would)
- Mrs Patel would like to speak to you.
- I'd love to visit New Zealand.
- "Would you like to sit here?" "No, I'd prefer to stand, thanks."
- I wouldn't like to be a dentist.
Exercises
52.1 Put the verb in the right form, to ... or -ing.
I enjoy cooking (cook).
I enjoy cooking.
Where do you want to eat (eat) tonight?
Where do you want to eat tonight?
Bye! I hope (see) you soon.
Bye! I hope to see you soon.
I learnt (ride) a bike when I was six.
I learnt to ride a bike when I was six.
Have you finished (wash) the car?
Have you finished washing the car?
I'm hungry. I want (have) something to eat.
I'm hungry. I want to have something to eat.
Do you enjoy (travel) by train?
Do you enjoy travelling by train?
It was a lovely evening, so I suggested (eat) outside.
It was a lovely evening, so I suggested eating outside.
Where's Ryan? He promised (be) here by eight.
Where's Ryan? He promised to be here by eight.
There's no rush. I don't mind (wait).
There's no rush. I don't mind waiting.
Where have you decided (go) on holiday?
Where have you decided to go on holiday?
Abbie was furious and refused (talk) to me.
Abbie was furious and refused to talk to me.
Where's Sam? I need (ask) him something.
Where's Sam? I need to ask him something.
The film was so sad that I started (cry).
The film was so sad that I started crying.
I'm trying (read). Please stop (sing).
I'm trying to read. Please stop singing.
52.2 Complete the sentences using to ... or -ing. Use one of the verbs in the box.
cookdrivegetgohelplistenlosemeetpostsnowstaywork
I like Manchester, but I wouldn't like to work there.
I like Manchester, but I wouldn't like to work there.
I like driving when the roads are quiet.
I like driving when the roads are quiet.
Hamid has hundreds of recipes. He enjoys .
Hamid has hundreds of recipes. He enjoys cooking.
What a surprise! I didn't expect you here.
What a surprise! I didn't expect to meet you here.
Don't forget the letter on your way to work.
Don't forget to post the letter on your way to work.
"Shall I drive you home?" "If you like, but I don't mind the bus."
"Shall I drive you home?" "If you like, but I don't mind getting the bus."
This watch was my grandad's. I'd hate it.
This watch was my grandad's. I'd hate to lose it.
Kerry's bags were very heavy, so I offered her.
Kerry's bags were very heavy, so I offered to help her.
It's a hot day. Would you like to the pool?
It's a hot day. Would you like to go to the pool?
After a long day, I like to music.
After a long day, I like listening to music.
"Shall we leave now?" "No, I'd prefer a bit longer."
"Shall we leave now?" "No, I'd prefer to stay a bit longer."
We're not going out until it stops .
We're not going out until it stops snowing.
52.3 Complete the answers to the questions. Use to ... or -ing.
"Do you usually go to bed late?" "Yes, I like going to bed late."
"Do you usually go to bed late?" "Yes, I like going to bed late."
"Do you ever go to concerts?" "Yes, I love ."
"Do you ever go to concerts?" "Yes, I love going to concerts."
"Do you often cook?" "No, I don't like ."
"Do you often cook?" "No, I don't like cooking."
"Have you ever been to Japan?" "No, but I'd love one day."
"Have you ever been to Japan?" "No, but I'd love to go there one day."
"Do you often go swimming?" "Yes, I enjoy ."
"Do you often go swimming?" "Yes, I enjoy swimming."
"Shall we get the bus or walk?" "I don't mind the bus, but I'd prefer ."
"Shall we get the bus or walk?" "I don't mind getting the bus, but I'd prefer to walk."
52.4 Complete these sentences about yourself. Use to ... or -ing.
I enjoy ___.
Example answer: I enjoy walking in the hills.
I don't like ___.
Example answer: I don't like getting up early on Mondays.
If it's a nice day tomorrow, I'd like ___.
Example answer: If it's a nice day tomorrow, I'd like to go to the coast.
When I'm on holiday, I like ___.
Example answer: When I'm on holiday, I like reading by the pool.
I don't mind ___, but ___.
Example answer: I don't mind doing the washing-up, but I hate ironing.
I wouldn't like ___.
Example answer: I wouldn't like to live in a big city.