V-ing vs to-V
RuleSome verbs take a gerund (V-ing), others take a to-infinitive; the main verb decides which form follows.
Curiosity
"enjoy to read" or "enjoy reading"? "want reading" or "want to read"? What decides the form?
Intuition
The choice is not free: the first verb selects the form. Learn them in groups: enjoy, finish, avoid take V-ing; want, decide, hope take to-V.
Visualization
See the parts: the main verb is highlighted and the verbal form that follows is labeled. The relation: "enjoy → gerund (V-ing)."
The main verb decides gerund vs to-infinitive.
She enjoysreadingnovels
Essence
Gerund verbs: enjoy, finish, avoid, mind, suggest, consider, recommend. Infinitive verbs: want, decide, hope, plan, agree, refuse, manage. A few change meaning: remember to do (future task) vs remember doing (past act). After a preposition, always V-ing.
Examples
They decided to postpone the meeting.
Would you mind closing the door?
He is interested in joining the team.
Mini-quiz
"The manager suggested ___ the schedule." Which fits?