Unit 47. to … (I want to do) and -ing (I enjoy doing)

verbs + to … (I want to do)

want
need
plan

decide
offer
refuse

hope
expect
promise

try
forget
learn

to … (to do / to work / to be etc.)

- What do you want to do this evening?
- I hope to go to university next year.
- We have decided to leave tomorrow morning.
- You forgot to switch off the light when you went out.
- My brother is learning to drive.
- I tried to work but I was too tired.

verbs + -ing (I like doing)

like
enjoy

love
hate

suggest
mind

stop
finish

-ing (doing/working/being etc.)

- I enjoy dancing. (not ‘enjoy to dance’)
- Do you like driving?
- I hate getting up in the morning.
- Ann loves going to the cinema.
- Has it stopped raining?
- Mary suggested going to the cinema.
- I don't mind being alone.

Unit 47. to… (I want to do) and -ing (I enjoy doing)

but

would like
would love

would hate
would prefer

to … (to do / to work / to be etc.)

- Jan would like to meet you. (not ‘would like meeting’)
- I'd love to go to Australia. (I'd = I would)
- ‘Would you like to sit down?’ ‘No, I'd prefer to stand, thank you.’
- I wouldn't like to be a teacher.

See Unit 30. Would you like …?

verbs + to … or -ing:

start
begin

continue
prefer

to … (to do etc.)
or -ing (doing etc.)

- It started raining. or It started to rain.
- I prefer travelling by car. or I prefer to travel by car.
(but would prefer to do something)

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