Compared verb + ing and verb + to…
Verb + - ing
·They denied stealing the money.
·I enjoy going out.
Often we use ? ing for an action that happens before the first verb or at the same time. So you deny doing something after you do it,
You enjoy doing something while you do it.
Verb + to…
·They decided to steal the money.
·I want to go out.
Often we use to…for an action that follows the first verb. So you decide to do something before you do it, you want to do something before you do it.
REGRET
I regret doing something = I did it, and now I’m sorry about it:
·I now regret saying what I said. I shouldn’t have said it.
I regret to say/tell you/to inform you = I’m sorry that I have to say:
·(from a letter) We regret ti inform you that we are unable to offer you the job.
Verb + - ing or to…
Try to do and try doing
Try to do = attempt to do, make an effort to do:
·I was very tired. I tired to keep my eyes open, but I couldn’t.
·Please try to be quit when you come home. Everyone will be asleep.
Try also means “do something as an experience or a test.”
·These cookies are delicious. You should try one. (=you should have one to see if you like it)
·We couldn’t find anywhere to stay. We tried every hotel in town, but they were all full. (=we went to every hotel to see if they had a room)
If try (with this meaning ) is followed by a verb, we use try ? ing:
a.The photocopier doesn’t seem to be working.
b.Try pressing the green button (=press the green button ? maybe this will help to solve the problem)
Need to do, need to be done, need doing
I need to do something = it is necessary for me to do it:
·I need to get more exercise.
·He needs to work harder if he wants to make progress.
Something needs to be done = someone needs to do something:
·The batteries in the radio need to be changed.
·Do you think my jacket needs to be washed?
Sometimes we use need doing instead of need to be done.
·The batteries in the radio need changing.
Verb + - ing or to…
Like,love,hate,can’t bear,can’t stand
After these verbs you can use to…(infinitive) or ing.
We normally use ? ing (not to…) for a situation that already exists or existed. For example:
·I live in Vancouver now. I like living there.(not like to live there)
·Do you like being a student? (You are a student now)
·That office was horrible. I hated working there. (I worked there and hated it.)
In other situations, you can use to… or ? ing. To…is more usual:
·I like to getup early.Or I like getting up early.
·Ann hates to fly.Or Ann hates flying?
·I love to meet people.Or I love meeting people.
After enjoy and mind, we use ? ing (not to…):
·I enjoy meeting people, (not I enjoy to meet)
·Tom doesn’t mind working at night. (not mind to work)
Would like/would love/would hate/would prefer are usually followed by to…(infinitive):
·I would like to be rich.
·Would you like to come to dinner on Friday?
·I’d love (=would love) to be able to travel around the world.
Compare I like and I would like:
·I like playing/to play tennis. (=I enjoy it in general)
·I would like to play tennis today. (= I want to play today)
