Gerund vs Infinitive — -ing or to?
Some verbs take -ing, some take 'to', and some take both with different meanings
Category: Verb Patterns
The Rule
Some verbs require gerund (enjoy + -ing), some require infinitive (want + to), and some change meaning (stop + -ing vs stop + to). There's no universal rule — you must learn verb-by-verb.
Why This Matters
Japanese uses the same verb form regardless of the preceding verb: 食べることが好き / 食べたい. English forces a choice between '-ing' and 'to' that changes with each verb. This arbitrary distinction is one of the most frustrating aspects of English for Japanese speakers.
Examples
• I enjoy reading books. — "本を読むことを楽しんでいます。" [enjoy + -ing (NOT enjoy to read)] • I want to travel. — "旅行したいです。" [want + to (NOT want traveling)] • I stopped smoking. vs I stopped to smoke. — "タバコをやめた。vs タバコを吸うために立ち止まった。" [Different meanings! -ing = quit; to = paused in order to]
Common Mistakes
❌ I enjoy to read books. ✅ I enjoy reading books. → 'Enjoy' always takes gerund (-ing). Never 'enjoy to + verb'. ❌ I want eating pizza. ✅ I want to eat pizza. → 'Want' always takes infinitive (to + verb). Never 'want + -ing'.
Quick Tip
Memorize the top verbs for each: GERUND: enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, suggest. INFINITIVE: want, need, hope, decide, plan. BOTH (different meaning): stop, remember, forget, try.
Memorize the top verbs for each: GERUND: enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, suggest. INFINITIVE: want, need, hope, decide, plan. BOTH (different meaning): stop, remember, forget, try.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: I enjoy to read books. → Correct: I enjoy reading books.. 'Enjoy' always takes gerund (-ing). Never 'enjoy to + verb'.
Incorrect: I want eating pizza. → Correct: I want to eat pizza.. 'Want' always takes infinitive (to + verb). Never 'want + -ing'.
Quiz
Which is correct?