When to use infinitive and when to use ing form

Question

Hi all. When to use infinitive form of a verb and when to use ing form ? Thank you very much  Sanaz

Vince · Accepted Answer

One of my notes on a book I'm reading:

To-infinitive

1. After verbs expressing wish, liking and permission
If the meaning is passive, use the passive to-infinitive
–ing form cannot be used

2. After verbs expressing belief or opinion
Used in formal English
In informal English, a ‘that’ clause is used after some verbs
A ‘that’ clause must be used with other verbs that ‘to be’

3. As a subject or part of the subject
The to-infinitive usually refers to a specific occasion (-ing form cannot be used).
The –ing form can only be used in general statements.

4. After a form of 'be'
The to-infinitive usually refers to a specific occasion (-ing form cannot be used).
Both the –ing form and the to-infinitive can be used in general statements.

5. To express purpose
‘In order’ or ‘so as’ can be put before the infinitive
Negative purpose is expressed by ‘in order not’ or ‘so as not’
If the adjective (before the to-infinitive) is preceded by ‘so’, the infinitive must be preceded by ‘as’.
e.g. She was so kind as to invite me to dinner

6. After certain verbs:
afford, agree, arrage, claim, consent, dar, decide, decline, demand, deserve, expect, fail, hesitate, hope, learn, long, manage, offer, pretend, promise, refuse, swear, tend, threaten, undertake, want, wish.

The next chapter will discuss the -ing form, so I can't tell you much about that yet.
Perhaps in a few days

LorenaIBLIS · Answer

HOLA

LorenaIBLIS · Answer

HELLO
HOW ARE YOU

Anonymous · Answer

can you please give examples against each

Anonymous · Answer

0when infinitive to will use ing form0-

Anonymous · Answer

WHEN DE VERBS AS SEE HOW DO WE USE ING

Anonymous · Answer

look carefully,  always verb first form + ing it is always can use understand, as a like liking, swim swiming, take taking, forget forgetting, close closing  drink drinking etc etc. always with first form mostly that all words have been use in america and australia...

When to use infinitive and when to use ing form

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions