Like, start, etc

A Like, love, prefer and hate

After like, love, prefer and hate, we can use either a to + infinitive or an -ing form. The meaning is the same.

Mrs Miles likes to do/likes doing parachute jumps. She loves to look/loves looking down at the fields below.

We always prefer to stay/prefer staying in small hotels.

I hate to stand/hate standing up while I'm eating.

But compare these two meanings of the verb like.

LIKE TO DO

Like takes a to+infinitive when it means that we prefer to do something even though we may not enjoy it.

I like to check my work carefully before I hand it in.

LIKE DOING

Like usually takes an -ing form when we use it to talk about hobbies and interests.

Claire likes skiing.

I don't like swimming much.

B Would like, etc

After would like, would love, would prefer and would hate, we use a to+infinitive but not usually an -ing form.

I'd like to do a parachute jump one day.

My sister would love to work as an artist.

Mark would prefer to drive rather than take the train.

I'm glad I live here. I'd hate to live in a big city

Compare would like and like.

I'd like to lie on the beach today. It's too hot to do anything else.

I like lying on the beach. I always spend my holidays sunbathing.

I'd like means 'I want', but it is more polite I like means the same as 'I enjoy',

C Start, intend, etc

We can use either a to+infinitive or an -ing form after these verbs: begin, bother, continue, intend, propose (intend), start.

People began to leave/began leaving the theatre before the end of the play.

Rachel didn't bother to do/bother doing the washing-up.

Do you intend to make/intend making a complaint?

The meaning is the same.

We do not usually have two -ing forms together. It was starting to get dark, NOT It was starting getting dark.