This document discusses the differences between using -ing, to infinitive, and zero infinitive forms after verbs and expressions in English. It provides examples of when to use each form and notes that in some cases the choice does not change the meaning, while in other cases it does impact the intended meaning. Key verbs like remember, forget, regret can take either -ing or to infinitives but with a change in meaning regarding the timing of the action. More examples and practice with these forms are available at the provided blog link.

1. -ING, TO OR 0 INFINITIVE?-ING, TO OR 0 INFINITIVE?
USING
-ING,
TO OR
ZERO
INFINITIVE

2. Using the Gerund (-ing Form)Using the Gerund (-ing Form)
 1.1. As the Subject of a sentence:As the Subject of a sentence:
- Going outGoing out is fun.is fun.
- ReadingReading is my favourite hobby.is my favourite hobby.
- Walking to schoolWalking to school is good exercise.is good exercise.

3. 2. After PREPOSITIONS:2. After PREPOSITIONS:
- ThanksThanks for writingfor writing..
- SheShe insisted on drivinginsisted on driving my car.my car.
- II apologized for beingapologized for being late.late.
- Keep on tryingKeep on trying!!
- We’reWe’re tired of waitingtired of waiting..

4.  3. After some expressions:3. After some expressions:
- II can’t (couldn’t) helpcan’t (couldn’t) help falling in love withfalling in love with
you (as Elvis said).you (as Elvis said).
- II can’t standcan’t stand getting upgetting up early.early.
- II don’t mind / Would you minddon’t mind / Would you mind openingopening thethe
window?window?
- II look forward tolook forward to visiting India next year.visiting India next year.
- WeWe feel likefeel like going to the theatre in May.going to the theatre in May.
- It’s no useIt’s no use calling her. She never answers.calling her. She never answers.
- HeHe is/ got used tois/ got used to being a teacher.being a teacher.

5.  4. As the Direct Object of Verbs4. As the Direct Object of Verbs
such as:such as:
Love, like, hate, prefer, enjoy, dislike,Love, like, hate, prefer, enjoy, dislike,
miss, suggest, continue, finish, recommend:miss, suggest, continue, finish, recommend:
- II miss lyingmiss lying on the beach.on the beach.
- Don’t youDon’t you love travellinglove travelling??
- II suggested gettingsuggested getting her a present.her a present.

6. Using the TO InfinitiveUsing the TO Infinitive
 1. After some adjectives and adverbs:1. After some adjectives and adverbs:
- She wasShe was sad to leavesad to leave
- I’m happy to seeI’m happy to see you.you.
Especially when they takeEspecially when they take TOOTOO oror
ENOUGHENOUGH::
- He’sHe’s too shy to speaktoo shy to speak..
- You’re notYou’re not old enough to driveold enough to drive..

7.  2. After some verbs such as:2. After some verbs such as:
Agree, allow, appear/ seem, choose,Agree, allow, appear/ seem, choose,
decide, expect, hope, learn, plan, promise,decide, expect, hope, learn, plan, promise,
refuse, want AND would like/ love/ hate/refuse, want AND would like/ love/ hate/
prefer:prefer:
- I- I’d love to dance’d love to dance right now.right now.
-- Would you like to comeWould you like to come to the party?to the party?
- I- I want to gowant to go out this evening.out this evening.
- She- She decided to leavedecided to leave..

8.  3. After the Object of verbs such3. After the Object of verbs such
as:as:
Advise, persuade, invite, teach, warn, want:Advise, persuade, invite, teach, warn, want:
- TheyThey want us to leavewant us to leave..
- TheyThey invited me to goinvited me to go..
- What did theyWhat did they teach you to doteach you to do there?there?
- SheShe advised him to forgetadvised him to forget about her.about her.

9. Using the “Zero” InfinitiveUsing the “Zero” Infinitive
 1. After All Modal Verbs (except1. After All Modal Verbs (except
OUGHT TO):OUGHT TO):
- II can’t meetcan’t meet you later.you later.
- May I comeMay I come in?in?
- YouYou shouldn’t beshouldn’t be so critical.so critical.

10.  2. After verbs of perception (hear,2. After verbs of perception (hear,
see, feel, …) , make and let:see, feel, …) , make and let:
- II heard you talkheard you talk..
- TheyThey saw you crysaw you cry..
- His parentsHis parents made her staymade her stay at home.at home.
- They won’tThey won’t let me golet me go away.away.

11. Verbs followed by ING or ToVerbs followed by ING or To
InfinitiveInfinitive
1. No change in meaning:1. No change in meaning:
Begin, start, forbid, intend, proposeBegin, start, forbid, intend, propose
- SheShe began to pack/packingbegan to pack/packing..
- II intended to phone/phoningintended to phone/phoning youyou
- They haveThey have forbidden to smoke/smokingforbidden to smoke/smoking

12.  2. Changing the meaning:2. Changing the meaning:
STOP:STOP:
- II stopped workingstopped working and went home.and went home.
(dejar de hacer)(dejar de hacer)
- I- I stopped to havestopped to have lunch. (Pararse a)lunch. (Pararse a)
REMEMBER/ FORGET/REGRET:REMEMBER/ FORGET/REGRET:
- I- I remember calling youremember calling you yesterday (somethingyesterday (something
PREVIOUS)PREVIOUS)
- Don’t- Don’t forget to callforget to call me later. (something to dome later. (something to do
LATER).LATER).
- I- I regret arguingregret arguing with her yesterday.with her yesterday.

13.  More practice at:More practice at:
http://englishteachermargarita.blogspot.com/http://englishteachermargarita.blogspot.com/