It can be tricky to remember which verbs are followed by the infinitive (the to form) of the verb and which are followed by the gerund (the ing form) of the verb.
Try to remember that:
Gerunds are often used when actions are real, fixed, or completed. "I enjoy cooking."
Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future: "He wants to swim."
1- Certain verbs: Love, suggest, enjoy, deny, admit, avoid...
2- After prepositions; I am really good at playing board games
3- As the subject of a sentence; "smoking will kill you", "quitting now is your best choice"
1- Certain verbs: want, plan, decide, offer, etc
2- To show purpose or objecive: I am going there to see what's happening
3- After adjectives: I am so happy to see you. It is really shocking to read the news nowadays.
*Sometimes the use of a gerund or an infinitive can change the meaning of a sentence. Can you explain the difference between these two sentences? Leave your answer in the comments area.
"I remembered to take my umbrella."
"I remembered taking my umbrella."
Other verbs which may change the meaning of the sentence are: start, regret, stop, etc.
Try this excercise to practice https://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/gerund-vs-infinitive-practice
we use the to infinitive after adjectives. I am happy to be here. / I'm delighted to meet you once again
we use -ing after preposition. Thank you for writing to me. i'm good at playing basketball
We use the bare infinitive (the infinitive without 'to'):
After modal verbs - I can meet you at six o'clock
After 'let', 'make' and (sometimes) 'help' - The teacher let us leave early
After some verbs of perception (see, watch, hear, notice, feel, sense) - I watched her walk away
After expressions with 'why' - why go out the night before an exam?
List of verbs followed by gerund or to infinitive. https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/support-files/gerund_infinitive_verbs_list.pdf
GAMES, HERE