1.8 Common Verbs Followed By Either Infinitives or Gerunds

Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund, sometimes with no difference in meaning, as in Group A below, and sometimes with a difference in meaning, as in Group B below.

The verbs in Group A may be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund with little or no difference in meaning.

Example:

(a) It began to rain. 1 It began raining.

(b) I started to work. / I started working.

(c) It was beginning to rain.

Explanation:

In (a): There is no difference between began to rain and began raining. If the main verb is progressive, an infinitive (not a gerund) is usually used, as in (c).

The verbs in Group B may be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund, but the meaning is different.

Example:

(d) Judy always remembers to lock the door.

(e) Sam often forgets to lock the door.

(f)  I remember seeing the Alps for the first time. The sight was impressive.

(g) I'll never forget seeing the Alps for the first time

(h) I regret to tell you that you failed the test.

(i)  I regret lending him some money. He never paid me back.

(j)  I'm trying to learn English.

(k) The room was hot. I tried opening the window, but that didn't help. So I tried turning on the fan, but I was still hot. Finally, I turned on the air conditioner.

Explanation:

Remember + infinitive = remember to perform responsibility, duty, or task, as (d).

Forget + infinitive = forget to perform a responsibility, duty, or task, as in (e).

Remember + gerund =remember (recall) something that happened in the past, as in (f).

Forget + gerund = forget something that happened in the past, as in (g).**

Regret + infinitive = regret to say, to tell someone, to inform someone of some bad news, as in (h).

Regret + gerund = regret something that happened in the past, as in (i).

Try + infinitive = make an effort, as in ( j ) .

Try + gerund = experiment with a new or different approach to see if it works, as in (k).

*Notice the patterns with prefer:

Prefer + gerund: I prefer staying home to going to the concert.

Prefer + infinitive: I'd prefer to stay home (rather) than (to) go to the concert.

**Forget followed by a gerund usually occurs in a negative sentence or in a question: e.g., I'll never forget, I can't forger, Have you ever forgotten, and Can you ever forget are often followed by a gerund phrase.

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