GERUNDS: GERUND OR INFINITIVE

USE:
Several verbs can be followed by either GERUNDS or INFINITIVES. In some cases, such as
REMEMBER, FORGET, STOP, and USE, this changes the meaning of the sentence completely.

FORM + MEANING:
[REMEMBER/FORGET + GERUND - memories of the past]
EXAMPLES:
"I remember seeing the Beatles in 1970."
"I'll never forget meeting you in Rome last year."

FORM + MEANING:
[REMEMBER/FORGET + INFINITIVE - actions in the future]
EXAMPLES:
"I'll remember to give him the message tomorrow."
"Don't forget to feed the chickens this evening!"

FORM + MEANING:
[STOP + GERUND - to finish or abandon an action]
EXAMPLE:
"We stopped dancing because we were tired."

FORM + MEANING:
[STOP + INFINITIVE - to start a new action]
EXAMPLE:
"I stopped to tie my shoelace."

FORM + MEANING:
[TRY + GERUND - to experiment; to perform an action to see what the result will be.]
EXAMPLE:
"If you want to make perfect tea, try heating the pot with some boiling water before putting in
the tea."

FORM + MEANING:
[TRY + INFINITIVE - to attempt something; to find out whether it is possible]
EXAMPLE:
"I tried to stroke the cat, but she ran away before I could touch her."

FORM + MEANING:
[LIKE + GERUND - to enjoy something]
EXAMPLES:
"I like eating chocolate."
"I like reading novels."
FORM + MEANING:
[LIKE + INFINITIVE - to think that something is wise, right, or enjoyable]
EXAMPLES:
"I like to brush my teeth after meals."
"I like to answer business letters immediately."

Note the difference between USE TO + INFINITIVE and BE/GET USED TO + GERUND:

FORM + MEANING:
[USED TO (past) + INFINITIVE - refers to a past habit or state which has now stopped or
changed]
EXAMPLES:
"I used to smoke 50 cigarettes a day, before I stopped."
"We used to live in Washington; now we live in Montreal."
"My father used to have brown hair, but now he is bald."

FORM + MEANING:
[BE or GET USED TO + GERUND - means to consider something normal or become accustomed
to something]
EXAMPLES:
"I'm used to driving on the left now, but when I first came to Britain it felt very strange!"

"I can't get used to being a grandmother; I feel so old!"

"Don't worry; you'll get used to having grandchildren."

With some verbs (e.g. START, BEGIN, CONTINUE), it makes very little difference whether they
are followed by GERUND or an INFINITIVE, although one form may be slightly more common
than the other. In the following examples the more common form comes first.

EXAMPLES:
"We started traveling/to travel at 6 o'clock."
"Pat began swimming/to swim when she was six."
"Joe continued writing/to write to me for years."