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Difference in meaning between the to-infinitive and -ing form

Some verbs can take either the to-infinitive or the -ing form with a change in meaning.

  1. forget + to-infinitive = not remember - She forgot to lock the door.

forget + -ing form = not recall - We'll never forget travelling around Africa.

  1. remember + to infinitive = not forget - Did you remember to turn off the computer?

remember + -ing form = recall -1 remember talking to Jenny at the party.

  1. mean + to-infinitive = intend to - I'm sorry; I never meant to offend you.

mean + -ing form = involve - If he gets this job, it will mean moving to a new town.

  1. regret + to-infinitive = be sorry to (normally used in the present simple with verbs such as say/tell/inform) - We regret to inform passengers that the Air France flight to Paris has been delayed.

regret + -ing form = feel sorry about - I regret losing touch with my old school friend Robert.

  1. try + to-infinitive = attempt, do one's best - I tried to call her but I couldn't get through.

try + -ing form = do something as an experiment - Why don't you try changing the batteries?

  1. stop + to-infinitive = stop temporarily in order to do something else - After working for five hours they stopped to have a rest.

stop + -ing form = finish doing something - At five o'clock everyone stopped working and went home.

7. need + to infinitive = the subject of the sentence will do the action: I need to mend my jeans. (= I will mend them)

need + ing form = there is a passive meaning. My jeans need mending. (= we don't know who will mend them)

The to-infinitive is used:

  • to express purpose. She went to the clothes shop to buy a new dress for the reception.

  • after certain verbs that refer to the future (agree, appear, decide, expect, hope, plan, promise, refuse, etc). They plan to buy a new car.

  • after would like, would prefer, would love, etc to express a specific preference. I would prefer to stay at home tonight.

  • after adjectives which describe feelings/emotions (happy, glad, sad, etc), express willingness/unwillingness (eager, reluctant, willing, etc) or refer to a person's character (clever, kind, etc); and the adjectives lucky and fortunate. I was very glad to hear that Liz got married.

Note: With adjectives that refer to character we can also use an impersonal construction.

It was kind of you to help me with my essay.

  • after too/enough. It isn't warm enough to go out without a coat.

  • to talk about an unexpected event (usually with only). I finally arrived home only to find that I had left my keys at the office.

  • with it + be + adjective/noun. It was easy to find the house after all.

  • after be + first/second/next/last/etc. She was the first person to congratulate me on my promotion.

  • after verbs and expressions such as ask, decide, explain, find out, learn, want, want to know, etc when they are followed by a question word. Their Maths teacher explained how to solve the problem.

Note: why is followed by subject + verb, NOT an infinitive. I wonder why she didn't let us know about it.

  • in the expressions to tell you the truth, to be honest, to sum up, to begin with, etc. To be honest, I don't trust him anymore.

Note: If two to-infinitives are linked by and or or, the to of the second infinitive is omitted.

I would like to go and visit Kate at the weekend.