The document discusses the use of gerunds and infinitives with different types of verbs in English. It explains that verbs like "like" and "hate" are used with gerunds, while verbs like "want" and "need" are used with infinitives. Some verbs can be used with either a gerund or infinitive with little change in meaning. It also discusses the use of gerunds and infinitives after prepositions, adjectives, and with certain verbs where the meaning changes depending on which is used.

1. Gerunds and infinitives Explanation
Elementary/Pre-Intermediate Level Verbs
like, love. hate, don't mind, can't stand, enjoy, finish + verb-ing (gerund)
would like, want, need, hope, expect, plan, decide, arrange, learn + to + infinitive
Intermediate/Upper-Intermediate Level Verbs
miss, practise, admit, deny, suggest, recommend, consider, imagine,
fancy, postpone, avoid, risk
+ verb-ing
(gerund)
seem, tend, offer, pretend, manage, agree, appear, can't wait, can't
afford, prepare, intend, refuse, promise, fail
+ to + infinitive
However, some verbs can be used with a gerund or an infinitive and the meaning is
the same.
For example:
I started to watch/watching TV.
I began to watch/watching TV.
I continued to watch/watching TV.
I prefer to watch/watching TV.
Many English people use like with both gerunds and infinitives, without much change
in meaning.
However, if you want to show that you enjoy something, we say like + gerund and if
you want to say that you think it's a good idea, we say like + to + infinitive.
For example:
I like going on holiday.
I like to go to the dentist every 6 months.

2. After prepositions and adjectives
Preposition + Gerund
After a preposition, we always use a noun or the -ing form of a verb - the gerund.
For example:
I'm very good at speaking English.
I went home after finishing my work.
Adjective + Infinitive
After many common adjectives, we often use "to + verb" - the infinitive.
For example:
It's rude to eat with your mouth open.
Problems
Don't forget that "to" can also be a preposition, not just part of the infinitive.
For example:
I'm looking forward to seeing you this weekend.
I'm used to getting up early in the morning.
I object to smoking in public.
He confessed to stealing the money.
Verbs which can use gerunds or infinitives
Some verbs can be used with a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning changes.
For example: I stopped working to answer the phone.
I stopped working. = I was working, then I stopped.
I stopped to answer the phone. = this is the reason I stopped.

3. More verbs which use a gerund OR infinitive:
Remember/Forget Try
I'm sure I bought the milk - I remember
buying it! = I remember that I did it.
I couldn't sleep, so I tried drinking warm milk.
= this was one possible way to achieve what I
wanted.
I remembered to buy the milk. = I
remembered that I needed to do it.
I tried to go to sleep. = this is what I wanted
to achieve, but it was difficult.
Need Go on
I need to clean the toilet. = active, I
should do it.
I went on working all night. = I continued this.
The toilet needs cleaning. = passive, it
should be done.
I was a teacher, but I went on to work as a
journalist. = this is what I did next.