1. Infinitive or –ing form ??
with little or no difference in meaning
like, love, cannot bear, begin, start, hate, prefer, continue
Like + -ing = We enjoy something
He likes watching horror films.
Like + full infinitive= We think it is a good idea.
I like to have my tyres checked whenever I buy petrol.

2. I prefer swimming to playing basketball
I prefer swimming to playing basketball.(general preference) I prefer to watch TV at night. (specific preference) I prefer to study law rather than start working. I’d prefer to see him rather than leave early I hate to mention it, but you owe me 1000 TL. I’d love to come and see you. Would you prefer to wait? I’d like to see him.

3. Begin, start: usually the -ing form goes with simple tenses and the infinitive with progressive tenses (to avoid having two -ing forms together)
It started raining an hour ago.
Be quiet! The teacher is beginning to talk.

4. + someone + full infinitive
advise
allow
encourage
permit
recommend
require
The manager does not allow anyone to smoke here.
The manager does not allow smoking here.
+ -ing
+ someone + full infinitive

5. Infinitive or –ing form ?? with different meanings
see
hear
feel
notice
watch
observe
listen to
for actions which are incomplete or still in progress
see
hear
feel
notice
watch
observe
listen to
for complete actions
someone+ing
someone +bare infinitive

6. e.g.
I was walking past the reception hall when I saw him playing the piano.
( I witnessed a part of the action.)
We saw him play the piano at the concert.
( I witnessed the whole action, from the beginning to the end.)

7. * Try + -ing = make an experiment
If you want to get rid of your soar throat, try drinking something hot.
* Try + full infinitive = make an effort
I’ll try to persuade her to come with us, but I don’t think she will change her mind.
* Stop + -ing = stop what one is doing or does
They stopped shouting when he came in.
* Stop + full infinitive =make a break to do something else
I was writing a letter, but I stopped to answer the phone.

8. * Remember + -ing = remember what one has done/what has happened
I remember visiting Berlin in 1996.
* Remember + full infinitive = remember what one has to do
Remember to bring your books.
* Forget + -ing = forget what one has done/what has happened (only when forget is in the negative)
I will never forget seeing her.
* Forget + full infinitive = forget what one has to do
Do not forget to bring your books.
* Regret + -ing = be sorry for what has happened
I regret studying Law at university.
* Regret + full infinitive = be sorry for what one is going to say
I regret to tell you that you’ve failed.

9. * Mean + -ing = involve
I will learn how to row even if it means practising every day.
* Mean + full infinitive = intend
I mean to stop smoking even if it means gaining weight.
* Go on + -ing = continue what one has been doing
They went on playing football.
* Go on + full infinitive = change, move on to something new
He welcomed the students and went on to explain the new rules.
* Need + full infinitive= have to do
She needs to study harder.
* Need + -ing = need to be done
My car needs repairing.

10. suggest + -ing He suggested leaving at six
* suggest + -ing He suggested leaving at six. * suggest that he (should) + bare inf. He suggested that she (should) leave at six. He suggests that she leaves at six. * suggest + noun I suggest a lesson with a coach. * recommend + -ing I recommended using a dictionary in the exam. * recommend that he (should) + bare inf. I recommended (that) he (should) read that report. I recommended (that) he reads that report.

11. * advise + -ing
I'd advise buying your tickets in advance if you want to travel in August.
* advise someone + full infinitive
He advised me to take out medical insurance.
* advise that he (should) + bare inf.
They advise that a passport (should) be carried with you at all times.
* advise against -ing = advise you not + full infinitive
I’d advise against attempting this by yourself.