Verb + to+infinitive or Verb + -ing form?

A Introduction

Some verbs are followed by a to+infinitive, and some by an -ing form.

VERB + TO-INFINITIVE Harriet decided to have a party.

VERB + ING-FORM Harriet suggested having a party.

Decide takes a to + infinitive.

A few verbs take either a to + infinitive or an -ing form. Laura started to paint/started painting a picture.

B To-infinitive or ing-form?

TO+INFINITIVE

These verbs are followed by a to + infinitive. agree, aim, appear, arrange, ask, attempt, beg, can't afford, can't wait, choose, claim, decide, demand, desire, expect, fail, guarantee, happen, help, hope, manage, offer, plan, prepare, pretend, promise, prove, refuse, seem, tend, threaten, turn out, undertake, want, wish.

-ING FORM

These verbs are followed by an -ing form. admit, avoid, cant face, can't help, can't resist, can't stand, carry on, consider, delay, deny, detest, dislike, enjoy, excuse, fancy, finish, give up, imagine, involve, justify, keep (on), mention, mind, postpone, practise, put off, resent, risk, save, suggest, tolerate.

C Can't wait and fancy

If you can't wait to do something, you are eager to do it.

I can't wait to see the photos you took. (I am eager/impatient to see the photos.)

If you fancy doing something, you want to do it.

Do you fancy going out for a meal? (Would you like to go out for a meal?) Fancy is informal.

D Happen, turn out and prove

We use prove to or turn out to when experience shows what something is like.

In the end our forecast proved to be correct.

Finding Harriet's house turned out to be more difficult than Nick had expected.

Note the meaning of happen to. I happened to see Sarah in town. (I saw Sarah by chance in town.)

E Two forms together

We can sometimes use more than one to + infinitive or -ing form together.

The government decided to refuse to give in to the terrorists.

I want to avoid hurting anyone's feelings.

The man denied threatening to kill a policeman.