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.)
Idiom 365
Put the Wool over other people's Eyes: to deceive someone in order to prevent them from discovering something.
Example: Don’t try to put the wool over people's eyes, they're smart enough.