UNIT 26

What Do You Enjoy Doing?

Gerunds and infinitives: useful verb patterns in everyday English

Step 1 — A new plan

Read the story. Notice the words that follow the verbs in bold.

Ella has worked in a bookshop for three years, but she wants to find a job that involves working with people. She hopes to train as a tour guide. She has decided to apply for a course in Brighton, although she needs to save some money first.

Ella enjoys meeting visitors and loves showing people around the city. She dislikes working late, and she avoids spending money on things she doesn't need. In the evenings, she often thinks of going for a walk by the sea. She is also thinking of moving closer to the city centre.

Her brother Max likes to plan everything carefully, but he also likes trying new things. He has promised to help Ella prepare her application.

Notice the patterns

Verb + infinitive: want to find, hope to train, decide to apply, need to save, promise to help.

Verb + -ing: enjoy meeting, dislike working, avoid spending, think of going.

Some verbs allow both: like to plan / like trying; love showing / love to show. In many contexts, both forms are possible and have similar meanings.

There is no single rule that predicts the form after every verb. It is useful to learn common verb patterns in groups.

Step 2 — Verbs followed by an infinitive

These common verbs are often followed by to + verb: want, hope, plan, decide, intend, promise, need, learn.

Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets. Write the whole missing phrase, including to.

1. Ella has decided ______ for the course. (apply)

2. She needs ______ some money. (save)

3. She hopes ______ more about the city's history. (learn)

4. Max has promised ______ her. (help)

5. Ella plans ______ nearer the city centre. (move)

Answers: 1 to apply; 2 to save; 3 to learn; 4 to help; 5 to move.

Step 3 — Verbs followed by an -ing form

These common verbs are often followed by a verb ending in -ing: enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, suggest. Some expressions ending in a preposition also take an -ing form. In look forward to, the word to is a preposition, not part of an infinitive.

I enjoy meeting new people.

Ella avoids spending too much money.

She is thinking of moving.

I look forward to seeing you.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Complete each sentence with the correct -ing form.

1. Ella enjoys ______ visitors. (meet)

2. She avoids ______ money unnecessarily. (spend)

3. She dislikes ______ late. (work)

4. She is thinking of ______ for a walk. (go)

5. Ella is thinking about ______ house. (change)

6. I look forward to ______ you again soon. (see)

7. We look forward to ______ from you. (hear)

Answers: 1 meeting; 2 spending; 3 working; 4 going; 5 changing; 6 seeing; 7 hearing.

Step 4 — Verbs that can take both forms

Like, love, hate and prefer can be followed by an -ing form or an infinitive. Often the meaning is very similar.

I like walking by the sea. / I like to walk by the sea.

Max loves trying new food. / Max loves to try new food.

Ella prefers working in the morning. / Ella prefers to work in the morning.

Choose a form that completes each sentence. In these examples, both forms are accepted.

1. I like ______ along the beach. (walk)

2. She loves ______ for her friends. (cook)

3. He hates ______ for buses in the rain. (wait)

4. I prefer ______ early in the day. (work)

Answers: 1 walking / to walk; 2 cooking / to cook; 3 waiting / to wait; 4 working / to work.

Step 5 — Complete the conversations

Complete each reply with the verb in brackets. Use the pattern that fits the first speaker's words.

1. “What do you hope to do this summer?” “I hope ______ my cousins in Spain.” (visit)

2. “What do you do to relax?” “I enjoy ______ in the evening.” (read)

3. “Do you like ______ to concerts?” “Yes, I do.” (go)

4. “What did you decide?” “I decided ______ the earlier train.” (take)

5. “How do you save money?” “I avoid ______ money on things I don't need.” (spend)

Answers: 1 to visit; 2 reading; 3 going / to go; 4 to take; 5 spending.

Step 6 — Correct the mistakes

Each sentence contains a common mistake. Type the corrected phrase, not the whole sentence.

1. I'm thinking to go to London next week. → I'm ______ to London next week.

2. I enjoy to swim. → I ______.

3. She wants learning French. → She ______ French.

4. They decided leaving early. → They ______ early.

Answers: 1 thinking of going / thinking about going; 2 enjoy swimming; 3 wants to learn; 4 decided to leave.

Step 7 — How about you?

Write a few sentences about yourself. Use at least one expression from each group.

Infinitive: I want to … / I hope to … / I plan to …
-ing form: I enjoy … / I avoid … / I don't mind …
Useful expression: I look forward to …-ing.
Both forms: I like … / I love … / I prefer …

My plans and interests

Self-check

After want, hope, plan or decide, have I used to + base verb?
After enjoy or avoid, have I used an -ing form?
In look forward to, have I used an -ing form after to?
After like, love or hate, have I used a form that is possible in my sentence?

This is a personal writing task, so there is no single correct answer. You can compare your sentences with the checklist or discuss them with a partner.