Verbs which can be followed by the gerund or infinitive form:-
Some verbs can be followed by the gerund or infintive.
With no change in meaning
begin | continue | hate | like | love | neglect | prefer | start | try
For example:-
- He began to learn English when he was eight.
- He began learning English when he was eight.
- I hate to leave.
- I hate leaving.
!Note - We often use the gerund when we speak about things in general, and the infinitive for particular situations.
With a change in meaning
forget | remember | stop
For example:-
- I forgot to feed the cat. (The cat is hungry - he has not been fed)
- I forgot feeding the cat. (The cat is ok - I fed him and then forgot about it)