Rule: Infinitive or -ing ShowHide

to + infinitive

after agree, choose, decide, expect, fail, hope, manage, offer, promise, refuse, seem, want, would like, would love

He managed to open the door.
I'd love to visit India one day.

Also to say why: She visits farms to take care of the animals.

-ing form

after admit, avoid, confess, deny, enjoy, imagine, involve, mind, miss, risk, suggest, love, hate, can't stand, can't help, look forward to, spend (time), be busy, it's worth, it's no use

She doesn't mind getting up early.
There's no use asking me about it.

Also after prepositions and as the subject: Swimming keeps you fit.

Infinitive without to

after modal verbs (can, could, must, should, may, will, would), make, let, had better, would rather

Her stepmother made her do the housework.
You'd better go now.

Look at the whole phrase: love + -ing (I love swimming), but would love + to (I'd love to swim). look forward to ends with a preposition, so -ing follows: I look forward to seeing you.

Games on Infinitive or -ing

Ready-made games on this topic. Open one on the board and play in teams.

Open the Box · 15 boxesInfinitive or -ing team game (B1)A team game for B1: open a box and answer – Infinitive or -ing.Play

Flashcards · 24 cardsInfinitive or -ing practice (B1)Cards for B1: answer, then flip the card to check – Infinitive or -ing.Play

Play this exercise

The sentences of this exercise as a game – nothing to set up.

Open the BoxTeam gameOpen a box, answer, win points.Play

FlashcardsFlip and checkSay the answer, then flip the card.Play