Gerund vs Infinitive
Some verbs are followed by the -ing form, the gerund (enjoy doing), and others by to + base verb, the infinitive (want to do). The list takes some memorising, but there are patterns.
The rule
After verbs like enjoy, avoid, finish, keep, mind, suggest → use the -ing form (enjoy doing). After verbs like want, decide, hope, plan, promise, agree → use to + the base verb (want to do). Some verbs (stop, remember, try) take both with different meanings.
Explained
Some English verbs are followed by -ing forms, others by 'to + base verb'. There is no single rule — you have to learn the common verb groups. Once you know which verbs take which form, your sentences will sound natural and you'll avoid the awkward 'I enjoy to play' mistake.
Examples
| English | In Hindi |
|---|---|
| I enjoy listening to music in the morning. | मुझे सुबह संगीत सुनना अच्छा लगता है। |
| She wants to learn French this year. | वो इस साल फ़्रेंच सीखना चाहती है। |
| We finished cleaning the house by noon. | हमने दोपहर तक घर साफ़ कर लिया। |
| He decided to take a year off. | उसने एक साल का ब्रेक लेने का फ़ैसला किया। |
| Stop talking during the movie! | फ़िल्म के दौरान बातें करना बंद करो! |
| They agreed to meet at five. | वो पाँच बजे मिलने के लिए राज़ी हो गए। |
| I don't mind waiting for ten minutes. | मुझे दस मिनट इंतज़ार करने में कोई आपत्ति नहीं है। |
| Remember to lock the door. | दरवाज़ा बंद करना याद रखना। |
| I remember locking the door. | मुझे याद है कि मैंने दरवाज़ा बंद किया था। |
| She suggested going to the new café. | उसने नए कैफ़े में जाने का सुझाव दिया। |
Common mistakes
I enjoy to play cricket.
I enjoy playing cricket.
'Enjoy' is always followed by the -ing form, never 'to do'. Remember: enjoy + verb-ing.
She avoided to meet him.
She avoided meeting him.
'Avoid' also takes the -ing form, not 'to do'. Same with mind, suggest, finish, and keep.
I want playing football.
I want to play football.
'Want' is followed by 'to' + the base verb, not the -ing form. Want, decide, hope, and plan all work the same way.
Remember closing the gas after cooking.
Remember to close the gas after cooking.
To remember a future task, use 'remember to do'. 'Remember -ing' is for recalling a past action — the meaning changes completely.
Practise
1. I enjoy ___ chai with my family.
- to drink
- drinking
- drink
- to drinking
Show the answer
drinking
2. She decided ___ a new business.
- start
- starting
- to start
- to starting
Show the answer
to start
3. Stop ___ on your phone during dinner!
- to look
- looking
- look
- looked
Show the answer
looking
Related lessons
- The 12 TensesMaster all 12 English tenses with Hindi comparison
- ConnectorsLink ideas naturally — and, but, because, although
- Articles & Prepositionsa, an, the and the tricky little words
- Modal Verbscan, could, should, must, would — used right
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