Infinitive or –ing form ??with little or no difference in meaninglike, love, cannot bear, begin, start, hate, prefer, continue

Like + -ing = We enjoy somethingHe likes watching horror films.

Like + full infinitive= We think it is a good idea. I like to have my tyres checked whenever I buy petrol.

I prefer swimming to playing basketball.(general preference)

I prefer to watch TV at night. (specific preference)

I prefer to study law rather than start working.I’d prefer to see him rather than leave earlyI hate to mention it, but you owe me 1000 TL. I’d love to come and see you. Would you prefer to wait?I’d like to see him.

Begin, start: usually the -ing form goes with simple tenses and the infinitive with progressive tenses (to avoid having two -ing forms together)

It started raining an hour ago.Be quiet! The teacher is beginning to talk.

advise allow encouragepermit recommend require

The manager does not allow anyone to smoke here.The manager does not allow smoking here.

+ -ing

+ someone + full infinitive

Infinitive or –ing form ?? with different meanings

seehearfeelnoticewatchobservelisten to

for actions which are incomplete or still in progress

someone+ing

seehearfeelnotice watchobservelisten to

for complete actions

someone +bare infinitive

e.g.I was walking past the reception hall when I saw him playing the piano.( I witnessed a part of the action.)

We saw him play the piano at the concert.( I witnessed the whole action, from the beginning to the end.)

* Try + -ing = make an experimentIf you want to get rid of your soar throat, try drinking something hot. * Try + full infinitive = make an effortI’ll try to persuade her to come with us, but I don’t think she will change her mind.

* Stop + -ing = stop what one is doing or doesThey stopped shouting when he came in.* Stop + full infinitive =make a break to do something else I was writing a letter, but I stopped to answer the phone.

* Remember + -ing = remember what one has done/what has happened I remember visiting Berlin in 1996.* Remember + full infinitive = remember what one has to doRemember to bring your books.

* Forget + -ing = forget what one has done/what has happened (only when forget is in the negative) I will never forget seeing her.* Forget + full infinitive = forget what one has to doDo not forget to bring your books.

* Regret + -ing = be sorry for what has happenedI regret studying Law at university. * Regret + full infinitive = be sorry for what one is going to sayI regret to tell you that you’ve failed.

* Mean + -ing = involveI will learn how to row even if it means practising every day.* Mean + full infinitive = intendI mean to stop smoking even if it means gaining weight.* Go on + -ing = continue what one has been doingThey went on playing football. * Go on + full infinitive = change, move on to something newHe welcomed the students and went on to explain the new rules. * Need + full infinitive= have to doShe needs to study harder. * Need + -ing = need to be doneMy car needs repairing.

* suggest + -ingHe suggested leaving at six.

* suggest that he (should) + bare inf. He suggested that she (should) leave at six. He suggests that she leaves at six.

* suggest + noun I suggest a lesson with a coach.

* recommend + -ingI recommended using a dictionary in the exam.

* recommend that he (should) + bare inf. I recommended (that) he (should) read that report.I recommended (that) he reads that report.

* advise + -ingI'd advise buying your tickets in advance if you want to travel in August.

* advise someone + full infinitiveHe advised me to take out medical insurance.

* advise that he (should) + bare inf. They advise that a passport (should) be carried with you at all times.

* advise against -ing = advise you not + full infinitive I’d advise against attempting this by yourself.