Verbs Followed by the Gerund or the Infinitive (Playing -vs- to play)

Verb + 'ing' OR Verb + Infinitive

When two verbs are used together, the second verb is often in the gerund form (-ing) or the infinitive. There are no specific rules concerning which verbs take which form. Like irregular verbs, you will need to learn which form a verb takes.

Common Verbs + 'ing'
go
enjoy
quit
discuss
mind
can't stand
suggest

Examples:

They go jogging on Saturdays.
I don't mind helping you.
They can't stand driving in traffic jams.

Common Verbs + Infinitive

promise
plan
refuse
want
need
decide
hope

Examples:

I promised to help him.
Alice needs to start that task.
He decided to quit his job.