Infinitives and Gerunds

Some verbs are typically followed by infinitives, others by gerunds, and some can be followed by either (with or without a change in meaning).

Verbs Typically Followed by Infinitives:

Verbs Typically Followed by Gerunds:

Verbs That Can Be Followed by Either (No Significant Change):

Verbs That Can Be Followed by Either (But Change Meaning):

forget
Forget to do: fail to remember to perform an action.
Forget doing: not remember a past action.
go on
Go on to do: finish one action and start another.
Go on doing: continue an action.
mean
Mean to do: intend to do something.
Mean doing: involve or result in something.
need
Need to do: the subject needs to perform the action.
Need doing: the object needs to be acted upon (often passive).
regret
Regret to do: be sorry to inform someone.
Regret doing: feel sorry about a past action.
remember
Remember to do: not forget to perform an action.
Remember doing: recall a past action.
stop
Stop to do: interrupt an action to perform another.
Stop doing: cease an action.
try
Try to do: attempt to do something (often implying difficulty).
Try doing: experiment with an action to see if it works.
want
Want to do: desire to perform an action.
Want doing: (less common, usually passive) something needs to be done.
This list is a great reference, but always consider the sentence context!
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