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Remember, stop, try: -ing or to?
B2 B2 grammar · lesson 14 of 21
Some verbs can take both -ing and to-infinitive, but the meaning changes. Using the wrong form can completely change what you want to say.
Rule
In B1 you learned which verbs take -ing and which take to. A few common verbs take both, with a different meaning. As a general idea, -ing often looks back at an action that already happened, while to often looks forward to an action that comes next.
| Verb | + -ing | + to-infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| remember | memory of a past action: I remember locking the door. | not forget a duty: Remember to lock the door. |
| forget | past memory (usually never forget): I’ll never forget meeting her. | not do a duty: I forgot to call Mum. |
| stop | end an activity: He stopped smoking. | stop one action to do another: He stopped to buy a coffee. |
| try | do it as an experiment: Try restarting the computer. | make an effort (it is difficult): I tried to open the jar, but I couldn’t. |
| regret | feel sorry about the past: I regret leaving school early. | formal, giving bad news: We regret to inform you… |
| go on | continue the same action: She went on talking. | move to a new action: She went on to become a doctor. |
Do you remember visiting Grandma when you were five?
Please remember to send the email today.
Leo stopped eating meat last year.
We stopped to look at the view.
If you can’t sleep, try drinking warm milk.
Maria tried to lift the box, but it was too heavy.
I regret not learning to drive when I was younger.
After her degree, Lucy went on to work for a big hospital.
Like and love
With like, love, hate and prefer, both forms are possible with almost the same meaning. But would like / would love are always followed by to: I’d like to go.
Common mistakes
✗ Don’t forget buying some bread.
✓ Don’t forget to buy some bread.
✗ I remember to go to the zoo when I was little.
✓ I remember going to the zoo when I was little.
✗ You should stop to eat so much sugar.
✓ You should stop eating so much sugar.