Verbs Followed by Gerunds OR Infinitives (Similar Meaning)

can't bear
He can't bear being alone.
He can't bear to be alone.

can't stand
Nancy can't stand working the late shift.
Nancy can't stand to work the late shift.
cease
The government ceased providing free health care.
The government ceased to provide free health care.

continue
She continued talking.
She continued to talk.

hate
He hates cleaning dishes.
He hates to clean dishes.

like
Samantha likes reading.
Samantha likes to read.

love
We love scuba diving.
We love to scuba dive.

neglect
He neglected doing his daily chores.
He neglected to do his daily chores.

prefer
He prefers eating at 7 PM.
He prefers to eat at 7 PM.

propose
Drew proposed paying for the trip.
Drew proposed to pay for the trip.

REMEMBER

Although the difference in meaning is small with these particular verbs, and gerunds and infinitives can often be used interchangeably, there is still a meaning difference. Using a gerund suggests that you are referring to real activities or experiences. Using an infinitive suggests that you are talking about potential or possible activities or experiences. Because of this small difference in meaning, gerunds and infinitives cannot always be used interchangeably, such as in the examples below.

Examples:

 • The British reporter likes living in New York. HE LIVES IN NEW YORK AND HE LIKES WHAT HE EXPERIENCES THERE.
 • The British reporter likes to live in New York whenever he works in the United States. HE LIKES THE OPTION OR POSSIBILITY OF LIVING IN NEW YORK WHEN HE WORKS IN THE UNITED STATES.
 • I like speaking French because it's such a beautiful language. I LIKE THE EXPERIENCE OF SPEAKING FRENCH, AND THE WAY IT MAKES ME FEEL WHEN I SPEAK THE LANGUAGE.
 • I like to speak French when I'm in France. I PREFER THE OPTION OF SPEAKING FRENCH WHEN I AM IN FRANCE.