Gerunds and Infinitives

Use:       
1) A gerund is a verb in its –ing form, used as a noun. 
                For example:     eating, going, seeing
Gerunds are used:
                a) As the subject of a sentence.
                        Smoking  is bad for you.
                
b) After some verbs, such as: like, hate, enjoy, quit, suggest, dislike, deny
                       I like  cooking. I enjoy  fishing.
A good learner’s dictionary will tell you whether a verb is followed by a gerund or not.   
                
c) After prepositions.
                       I’m interested in  buying  a computer. I’m scared of walking alone in the dark.
 
2) The infinitive form of the verb is the original verb. It can be with or without ‘to’.
                For example:     (to) eat, (to) go, (to) see.
The infinitive form is used:
                a) After some verbs, such as; agree, arrange, ask, promise, decide, afford
                I agreed  to do  the work. I arranged to see the doctor, They decided  to get married.
A good learner’s dictionary will tell you whether a verb is followed by an infinitive or not.
                
b) To show the reason why you did something.
Tony went to the post office to pay a bill.                   
c) After adjectives.
I was surprised to see Erica. I’m pleased to meet you.
3 a) Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or infinitive with NO CHANGE in meaning:
                For example: start, begin, hate, like, prefer, continue
                       She started to cry = She started crying.
                I hate watching horror films = I hate to watch horror films.
 b) Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or a infinitive, but there is a change in meaning.
                For example: try, remember, stop
                I tried to get into the house. (Getting into the house is your goal or objective).
                       I tried climbing through the window. (Climbing through the window is one thing you
tried in order to obtain your final objective.)               
                       I stopped cleaning the windows. (I was cleaning the windows and then I stopped).
                       I stopped to clean the windows. (I was driving, and I stopped driving in order to
clean the windows).
                       I remembered to lock the door. (I remembered, and after that I locked the door).
                       I remember locking the door. (I remember (now) that I locked the door (in the past)).