want to, enjoy -ing

want to, need to, decide to, enjoy, finish, mind, stop, verb + to, verb + ing, infinitive, gerund

When one verb follows another, the second one takes to after some verbs, as in , and -ing after others, as in .

AI-generated

Structure

want / need / decide / hope / plan … + to + [verb]

enjoy / finish / mind / stop / avoid … + [verb-ing]

Description

When a verb comes after another verb, the first verb decides the form of the second. Some verbs take to + verb. Others take the -ing form (going, eating, reading).

There is no rule that tells you which verb takes which form. Learn each verb with its pattern.

Verbs with to

want, need, decide, hope, plan, learn, forget, try, promise, refuse, manage, would like

Verbs with -ing

enjoy, finish, mind, stop, keep, avoid, practise, miss, suggest, imagine, can't stand

Verbs with both

like, love, hate, start and begin take either form, with almost no change in meaning.

Stop, remember and forget

With these verbs the meaning changes.

He stopped smoking.

He doesn't smoke now.

He stopped to smoke.

He stopped what he was doing so that he could smoke.

Remember to call Sam.

Don't forget to do it.

I remember meeting Sam.

I met him and I have that memory.

Common mistakes

× I enjoy to cook. → I enjoy cooking.
× I want going home. → I want to go home.
× She decided going. → She decided to go.
× Have you finished to eat? → Have you finished eating?
× I need go now. → I need to go now.

Examples

used to

was, were