Verb + ~ing or to ~: Remember, Regret, go on
I. verbs can be followed by '-ing' or 'to ~': begin, start, continue, intend, bother (e.g. It has started raining. or It has started to rain.)
a. But normally we do not use '-ing' after '-ing'. (e.g. It's starting to rain. (not It's starting raining))
I1. Some verbs can be followed by '-ing' or 'to ~' with a different of meaning
a. Remember: I remember doing something = I did it and now I remember this. (e.g. I know I locked the door. I clearly remember locking it.) vs. I remembered to do something = I remembered that I had to do it, so I did it. (e.g. I remembered to lock the door, but I forget to shut the windows.)
b. Regret: I regret doing something = I did it and now I'm sorry about it. (e.g. I now regret saying what I said. I shouldn't have said it.) vs. I regret to say/ to tell you/ to inform you = I'm sorry that I have to say (etc.) (e.g. (from a formal letter) We regret to inform you that we cannot offer you the job.)
c. go on: Go on doing something = continue with the same thing. (e.g. The president paused for a moment and then went on talking.) vs. Go on to do something = do or say something new (e.g. After discussing the economy, the president then went on to talk about foreign policy.)
Verb + ~ing or to ~: Try to do
I2. Try to do = attempt to do, make an effort to do. (e.g. I was very tired. I tried to keep my eyes open, but I couldn't)
a. try also means 'do something as an experiment or test'. (e.g. These cakes are delicious. You should try one. (= you should have one to see if you like it))
b. If try (with this meaning) is followed by a verb, we say try -ing. (e.g. A: The photocopier doesn't seem to be working. B: Try pressing the green button. (= press the green button - perhaps this will help to solve the problem))
c. Compare: I tried to move the table, but it was too heavy. (so I couldn't move it) vs. I didn't like the way the furniture was arranged, so I tried moving the table to the other side of the room. But it still didn't look right, so I moved it back again.)
Verb + ~ing or to ~: Need, Help
I3. Need to ~ and need -ing
a. I need to do something = it is necessary for me to do it. (e.g. I need to take more exercise.)
b. Something needs doing = it needs to be done. (e.g. The batteries in the radio need changing. (= they need to be changed.)
I4. Help and can't help
a. can say help to do or help do (with or without to) (e.g. Everybody helped to clean up after the party. or Everybody helped clean up ~)
b. I can't help doing something = I can't stop myself doing it. (e.g. I don't like him, but he has a lot of problems. I can't help feeling sorry for him)
Verb + ~ing or to ~: ~ like, would like
I5. Verb + -ing or to ~ (like/ would like etc.)
a. We can use '-ing' or 'to~' after these verbs: like/ love/ hate, etc. (e.g. Do you like getting up early? Do you like to get up early?)
b. but use '-ing' (not to ~) when we ask about a situation that already exists (or existed) (e.g. Paul lives in Berlin now. He likes living there. (He likes living in berlin = He lives there and he likes it)), There is somethings a difference between 'I like to do' and 'I like doing'. I like doing something = I do it and enjoy it. (e.g. I like cleaning the kitchen. (= I enjoy it)) vs. I like to do something = I think it is a good thing to do, but I don't necessary enjoy it. (e.g. It's not my favourite job, but I like to clean the kitchen as often as possible.)
c. Note that enjoy and mind are always followed by -ing (not to ~) (e.g. I don't mind cleaning the kitchen. (not I don't mind to clean))
d. would like/ would love/ would hate/ would prefer are usually followed by to ~. (e.g. I'd like (would like) to go away for a few days.)
e. Compare: I like playing tennis. vs. I like to play tennis. (= I like it in general) vs. I'd like to play tennis today. (= I want to play today)
f. would mind is always followed by -ing (not to ~) (e.g. Would you mind closing the door, please?
g. I would like to have done something = I regret now that I didn't or couldn't do it. (e.g. It's a pity we didn't see Julie when we were in London. I would like to have seen her again.)
h. We can use the same structure after would love/ would hate/ would prefer. (e.g. Poor old David! I would hate to have been in his position.)
Verb + ~ing or to ~: Prefer and would rather
I6. Prefer and would rather
a. We can use 'prefer to (do)' or 'prefer -ing' to say what you prefer in general. (e.g. I don't like cities. I prefer to live in the country. or I prefer living in the country.) I prefer doing something vs. to doing something else. But I prefer to do something vs. rather than (do) something else. (e.g. I prefer driving to travelling by train. but I prefer to drive rather than travel by train.)
b. use 'would prefer to do' somebody wants in a specific situation (not in general) (e.g. Would you prefer tea or coffee? Coffee please.), say 'would prefer to do something' (not doing). (e.g. Shall we go by train? I'd prefer to drive. (not I'd prefer driving))
c. Would rather (do) = would prefer (to do). We use would 'rather + infinitive' (without to) (e.g. Shall we go by train? I'd prefer to drive. or I'd rather drive (not to drive)), the negative is 'I'd rather not (do something) (e.g. I'm tired. I'd rather not go out this evening, if you don't mind.). We can say 'would rather do something than do something else'. (e.g. I'd rather stay at home tonight than go to the cinema.)
d. We can say 'I'd rather you did something' (not I'd rather you do.) (e.g. Shall I stay here? I'd rather you came with us. (= I would prefer this)). In this structure we use the past (came, did etc.), but the meaning is present not past. (e.g. I'd rather make dinner now. vs. I'd rather you made dinner now. (not I'd rather you make)). I'd rather you didn't (do something) = I'd prefer you not to do it. (e.g. I'd rather you didn't tell anyone what I said.)