Infinitives or Gerunds? 2 - Func. Grammar
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Here is a table with verbs which can be followed both by infinitives or gerunds...
Tip for learning all this: jot down in your notebook all the verbs you find most often in your textbook, sorting them out in a table!
| Verbs followed both by infinitive and gerund with or without a change of meaning | |
| With no change of meaning | |
| Begin/start (cf. stop, finish, keep) Continue (but use "keep" + gerund, better) |
And we started to laugh And we started laughing |
| With a change of meaning | |
| Verbs of likes and dislikes like, don't like, enjoy, love, hate... Special cases: prefer, fancy... General likes (with present tenses): gerund A like in a specific moment (with would): infinitive |
I prefer going I love going to the movies I'd love to go to the movies this evening! |
| Time involved When the action following the verb happens/ed before the verb: gerund When the action following the verb happens/ed after the verb: infinitive |
Remember: Hey, remember to post this! I remember climbing trees when I was a child. Forget: I forgot to bring my keys. Don't forget to get some drinks. Regret: I regret to inform you that there is a delay. I regret buying these boots -- they really hurt! |
| Stop Pause, cease momentarily: infinitive Stop for good, quit: gerund |
On our way, we stopped to have sth to eat Stop shouting! |
| Try Make an attempt (intentar): infinitive Experiment (probar a): gerund |
I tried to fix it, but had to call a mechanic Try taking a couple of aspirins (giving advice) |
There is more on this subject. Check out the Table of contents of Functional Grammar