Verb + -ing and Verb + to + infinitve

In this lesson you will learn how to talk about likes, dislikes, and preferences using:

• verb + -ing
• verb + to + infinitive

1. What does “verb pattern” mean?

A verb pattern tells you what form comes after a verb (for example, -ing or to + verb).

Some verbs are followed by:

• -ing (dancing)
• to + verb (to dance)

2. Verb + -ing (likes and dislikes)

We often use verb + -ing after like, love, hate, enjoy, don’t mind, don’t like to talk about activities.

Use verb + -ing with these words:

• like
• love
• hate
• enjoy
• don’t mind
• don’t like

Structure

Subject + like/love/hate/enjoy/don’t mind/don’t like + verb + -ing

Examples

Positive

• I like reading.
• She loves dancing.
• He hates waking up early.
• They enjoy watching TV.

Negative

• I don’t mind waiting.
• She doesn’t mind working late.
• I don’t like cooking.
• He doesn’t like studying at night.

3. Verb + to + infinitive (wants and plans)

We use verb + to + infinitive to talk about:

• wants
• plans
• a choice (you choose)

We use verb + to + infinitive with these words:

• want
• need
• decide
• hope
• try

Structure

Subject + want/need/hope/try/decide + to + base verb

Examples

Positive

• I want to learn English.
• She needs to study.
• He hopes to travel.
• They decided to eat at home tonight.

Negative

• I don’t want to learn English.
• She doesn’t need to study.

4. Comparison

For this lesson, use:

• like/love/hate/enjoy/don’t mind/don’t like + -ing
• want/need/hope/try/decide + to + verb

5. Memory help

• Feelings about activities → verb + -ing
• Wants or plans → to + base verb

6. Would like

Now let’s learn would like (polite ‘want’). It uses to + verb, not -ing.

We use would like to talk about:

• wants and preferences
• in a polite way

It is more polite than want.

Structure

would like + to + base verb

Examples

• I would like to drink some water.
• She would like to learn English.
• We would like to sit here.

Important rule

After would like, we always use to + verb, NOT verb + -ing.

• ✗ I would like drinking water.
• ✓ I would like to drink water.

Why?
“Would like” talks about a wish or request, not a general feeling. That is why it behaves like want, not like like.

Compare:

• I like drinking coffee. (general feeling)
• I would like to drink coffee. (now / polite request)