CONFUSING: 'LIKE TO+infinitive' vs 'LIKE+-ing'

This chart shows the difference in meaning between these two structures with the verb LIKE.

STOP TO + INFINITIVE vs STOP + -ING FORM

STOP is one of the verbs that can be followed either by infinitive or the -ing form, but with a change of meaning. You can see the difference in the infographic above with many examples.

BE / GET USED TO + -ing / noun

A chart that explains about the expression "BE / GET USED TO + ING or NOUN". Remember not to be confused with "USED TO + infinitive", whose difference can be checked in a previous post HERE.

'-ED' & '-ING' SPELLINGS

This charts shows the spelling rules for regular past verbs ending in '-ED' and the formation of gerunds ending in '-ING'.

Previous post in this blog refer to them separately:

- for '-ED' spellings & pronounciation

- for '-ING' spellings

LOOKING FORWARD TO...

I suppose we're all LOOKING FORWARD TO the Christmas holidays... Here are different ways to express it.

FUTURE PROGRESSIVE OR CONTINUOUS

'TO' vs 'FOR'

Clarifying the confusing uses of 'TO' and 'FOR'.

WOULD YOU MIND...?

An expression to request an action, followed by the verb in the '-ING' form.

SPELLING -ING FORMS

Here are the spelling rules for -ING forms.

COLLOCATIONS WITH "GO"

Today's post shows different collocations with the verb "GO" and its combinations with different words. Do you understand them all? Some of these collocations are synonyms, do you know which?  Some more examples with "GO", can be found HERE.

CAUSATIVE: HAVE SOMETHING DONE

'LET', 'MAKE', 'HAVE' & 'GET' are verbs used with a causative sense. Someone is set to do something, following the pattern:

      causative verb+person+infinitive without TO

PREPOSITIONS + GERUND (-ING)

Another basic rule you should remember:

PREPOSITIONS + GERUND (-ING form).

For the complete information, go HERE.

For exercise-practice, go to previous post HERE.

VERBS FOLLOWED BY '-ING'

Here's a list of verbs followed by '-ing' form. Remember the whole set of rules and verbs followed either by '-ing' form of infinitive either with our without "TO" can be seen HERE and practiced HERE.

EXPRESSING PREFERENCE

Showing how to express preferences in English.

INFINITIVE OR GERUND PRACTICE

SUMMARY
REMEMBER ALWAYS

• “TO” INFINITIVE:

after ADJECTIVES It's difficult to understand

after QUESTION WORDS I don't know how to do it

to express PURPOSE Use a knife to cut it

• INFINITIVE “without TO”:

after MODAL VERBS You must practice more

• “-ING” GERUND:

after PREPOSTIONS I left the party without seeing you

used as a noun Smoking is bad for your health

Here are exercises to practice the use of the infinitive or gerund forms after different verbs or in different expressions. If you want to check on the basic rules click HERE

Link to more here.

More exercises here.

INFINITIVE OR GERUND?, GERUND OR INFINITIVE?

Sometimes we need to decide whether to use a verb in its: -ing form, gerund (doing, singing) or infinitive form (to do, to sing). For example, only one of the following sentences is correct. Which one?

We decided to take a taxi OR We decided taking a taxi

A) WHEN TO USE AN INFINITIVE:
1-always used AFTER ADJECTIVES, for example: disappointed, glad, happy, pleased, relieved, sad, surprised...

I was happy to help them. She will be delighted to see you.

- Including TOO+ADJECTIVE: The water was too cold to swim in.

Is your coffee too hot to drink?

- It is used after ADJECTIVE+ENOUGH: He was strong enough to lift it.

She is rich enough to buy two.

2- It's used to express PURPOSE*: He phoned to invite me to a party

*For+somebody+TO DO+something: This bench is for us to sit on /

*For+ing: A knife is used for cutting

3- It's always used after QUESTION WORDS+ a verb:

I don't know how to do it. He didn't say when to call him.

4- The infinitive form is used after certain verbs:- agree, allow, can/can't afford, choose, decide, encourage, expect, forget, help, hope, learn, manage, mean, offer, plan, pretend, promise, recommend, refuse, teach, train, want...

I forgot to close the window. We can't afford to take a long holiday.

5- With other verbs the structure is: VERB+(obj)+TO* infinitive: -allow, ask, expect,

help, invite, mean, order, recommend, remind, teach, tell, want, warn...The police ordered the people to leave.

He wanted me to go with him. I warned him not to come back late.

!!*- make & let: verb+obj.+infinitive without to. Let me do it.

6- Always with MODAL VERBS+infinitive without to: - can/could, may/might, must, need, shall/should, will/would. (Except: ought to).

She can swim very well. I'll see you tomorrow. You mustn't do that.

You should go to the doctor. / You ought to go to the doctor.

B) WHEN TO USE A GERUND (-ing):1- The -ing form is used as a noun and is the subject of a sentence or clause:

Swimming is good exercise. Doctors say that smoking is bad for you.

2- The -ing form is ALWAYS used after a PREPOSITION:
They left without saying "goodbye".

or a VERB+PREPOSITION*: - succeed in, insist on, think of...

He insisted on taking me home.

or EXPRESSIONS*: - it's no good/use, have difficulty, go+-ing...

It's no use in complaining He goes swimming every Tuesday.

!!* Watch out with:

- USED TO+infinitive: He used to wear glasses.

- BE/GET USED TO+ing: He's used to getting up early.

- LOOK FORWARD TO+ing: They are looking forward to visiting us this summer.

3- The -ing form is used after certain verbs: avoid, can/can't stand, carry on, dislike, enjoy, fancy, finish, give up, imagine, keep on, mind/not mind, miss, practise
I dislike getting up early. Would you mind opening the window?

C) Some verbs can be followed by the -ing form or the infinitive:
1) Without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like*, love, prefer*, propose, start.
It started to rain. (common) - It started raining.
I like to play tennis. (it's good, right) - I like playing tennis. (I enjoy it).
!!*would like to+infinitive: I would like to live here.

!!*prefer +ing to +ing: I prefer driving to travelling by train.

prefer to infinitive rather than...: I prefer to drive rather than to travel by train.

would prefer to infinitive rather than...: I'd prefer to stay (rather than leave).

2) Others have a change of meaning depending on which is used:
- FORGET 
I forgot to tell him the news. (fail to do something)
I forget telling him the news but perhaps I did. do something and not remember)
-  REGRET 
I regret to inform you have to leave the country. (be sorry to+unpleasant info)
I regret settling in Britain. (a mistake in the past)
- REMEMBER 

I remember posting the letter. (= He remembers having done it. After)
Remember to post the letter when you go out. (Before doing it, remind you to do it.)
- NEED

I need to do more exercise. (It's necessary for me. You have to do it).
The batteries need changing. (Need as a modal verb. It needs to be done. Impersonal sentence).
- STOP

I stopped to talk to him. (It tells the reason for stopping).
He stopped walking. (It tells the action which stopped).
- TRY

I tried to keep my eyes open. (Effort, attempt).
Try pressing this button. (Experiment, test).

Summary verb chart:

Video GERUND / TO+infinitive:

Here are links to practice and test yourself on Gerunds & Infinitives:
On this blog.

English study quiz (1)
English study Quiz (2)

Test your English
Using English
ESL about
+ info: British Council

PAST CONTINUOUS MIND-MAP

Presenting the mind-map chart for the PAST CONTINUOUS to show how to form it and when to use it.

1) (LONG) ACTIONS AT A CERTAIN MOMENT IN THE PAST vs SHORT ACTIONS IN THE SIMPLE PAST.

I was watching TV when Mary telephoned.

2) SIMULTANEOUS ACTIONS IN THE PAST.

I was watching TV while John was reading the newspaper.

3) REPEATED ACTIONS IN THE PAST vs SINGLE ACTIONS IN THE PAST.

I was reading the book.  vs     I read the newspaper.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS MIND-MAP

Presenting the mind-map chart for the PRESENT CONTINUOUS to show how to form it.
Also in boxes the different spelling rules for the -ING form.
Remember the PRESENT CONTINUOUS is used to express:

1) ACTIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING AT THE MOMENT YOU SPEAK, NOW.

I'm reading a post on the blog, now.

2) EXCEPTIONS TO ROUTINES AND HABITS.

I usually go to bed early, but today I'm staying up until late.

3) NEAR FUTURE PLANS.

Next Saturday, I'm meeting my friends at the city centre.

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS vs PRESENT PERFECT