Gerund vs Infinitive: How to Choose the Right Verb Form

English learners often ask: should I say doing or to do? This is the classic gerund vs infinitive problem. A gerund is the -ing form used like a noun, and an infinitive is to + verb.

Use a gerund after some common verbs

Some verbs are usually followed by a gerund.

• enjoy reading
• avoid making mistakes
• finish studying
• keep trying

Examples:

• I enjoy learning English.
• She avoided answering the question.
• They finished cleaning the room.

Use an infinitive after other common verbs

Some verbs are usually followed by to + verb.

• want to learn
• decide to go
• hope to improve
• need to rest

Examples:

• I want to improve my English.
• She decided to study abroad.
• We hope to finish soon.

Some verbs can take both — but the meaning may change

This is where learners need to be careful.

• stop smoking = quit the habit
• stop to smoke = pause another activity in order to smoke

• remember locking the door = you have a memory of it
• remember to lock the door = do not forget the action

When both forms are possible, the meaning is not always the same.

A practical learning strategy

Do not try to memorize everything as one big rule. Learn verbs in groups.

• enjoy, avoid, finish, keep + gerund
• want, decide, hope, need + infinitive

That is faster and more natural than trying to guess every time.

Common mistakes

• Wrong: I enjoy to read.
• Correct: I enjoy reading.
• Wrong: She decided going there.
• Correct: She decided to go there.

One more tip: when you learn a new verb, learn the pattern with it. Do not just learn enjoy; learn enjoy doing. Do not just learn decide; learn decide to do.

Bottom line: gerunds and infinitives are not random. Many verbs strongly prefer one pattern. Learn them in useful groups, and your English will become more accurate and much more natural.