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Verb + -ing or verb + to: enjoy doing, want to do
A2 A2 grammar · lesson 18 of 25
When one verb follows another, the second verb is either -ing or to + verb. You know like, love and hate + -ing from A1. Here you learn more common verbs and which form they take.
Verb + -ing
After these verbs, use verb-ing:
- enjoy, like, love, hate, don’t mind (it’s OK for me)
- finish, stop, keep (continue)
- go + activity: go swimming, go shopping
I enjoy cooking for my friends.
Have you finished reading that book?
Ali doesn’t mind working at weekends.
Please stop talking!
Verb + to + base verb
After these verbs, use to + verb:
- want, would like, need, hope
- decide, plan, try, learn
- forget, promise, agree
I want to visit Japan.
Mia decided to study medicine.
We hope to see you soon.
Ken is learning to drive.
Don’t forget to lock the door.
| + -ing | + to |
|---|---|
| enjoy, finish, stop, keep, don’t mind | want, need, hope, decide, plan, learn, forget, promise |
| I enjoy swimming. | I want to swim. |
Like, love, hate
Like, love and hate can take both forms with almost the same meaning: I like swimming = I like to swim. But would like always takes to: I’d like to swim now.
Common mistakes
✗ I enjoy to play tennis.
✓ I enjoy playing tennis.
✗ She wants going home.
✓ She wants to go home.
✗ We decided staying at home.
✓ We decided to stay at home.
✗ Have you finished to eat?
✓ Have you finished eating?