Gerunds and Infinitives: Stop to Think vs Stop Thinking
July 25, 2026 · Sourov · 1 min read
⏱ 5 Minutes · B1/B2
📖 From Experience
When I was learning French as an adult — working towards C1 — I realised I had stopped thinking in English while I studied. But I had also stopped to check my English grammar. Same verb, different meaning. That difference — gerund vs infinitive — matters.
📚 Two Common Patterns
Verb + gerund (verb + -ing): enjoy, avoid, consider, finish, miss, practise, suggest
I enjoy teaching. I avoid making promises I can’t keep.
Verb + infinitive (to + verb): want, decide, hope, plan, manage, refuse, seem
I decided to leave. She managed to pass.
📚 Verbs That Change Meaning
| Verb | + Gerund | + Infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| stop | stop doing = finish | stop to do = pause in order to do |
| remember | remember doing = recall a past action | remember to do = not forget a future task |
| try | try doing = experiment | try to do = make an effort |
✏️ Your Turn
Gerund or infinitive?
- She agreed ___ (help) me.
- I miss ___ (live) by the sea.
- Remember ___ (lock) the door when you leave.
- Have you considered ___ (move) abroad?
💡 Check Answers
- to help
- living
- to lock
- moving
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