Infinitive vs Gerund (-ing) Atlas 🧭
Should you say "I stopped to smoke" or "I stopped smoking"? The answer completely changes the meaning of your life! Understand verb complementation rules, meaning mutations, and cross-linguistic preposition traps.
⚡ The Universal Rule of Prepositions
Whenever a verb directly follows a preposition (in, at, with, about, after, before):
"Before leaving, lock the door."
"Avant de partir..." (FR)
The Meaning Changers 🎭
With these 5 verbs, choosing between an infinitive or gerund fundamentally alters the timeline and purpose:
1. STOP
High Risk"He stopped smoking."
➔ Quitting an action permanently or halting the activity.
"He stopped to smoke."
➔ Paused whatever he was doing in order to light up a cigarette!
2. REMEMBER
Memory vs Duty"I remember locking the door."
➔ Looking back on a vivid memory that already happened.
"Remember to lock the door."
➔ Forward duty / task reminder: don't forget to do it.
3. TRY
Effort vs Experiment"Try drinking warm tea for your cough."
➔ Experiment to see if a method works.
"Try to lift this heavy boulder."
➔ Straining physical or mental exertion to overcome an obstacle.
4. REGRET
Past Sorrow vs Formal News"I regret saying that."
➔ Feeling deep sorrow for a past mistake.
"We regret to inform you that the train is canceled."
➔ Formal, polite delivery of bad news.
🟢 Verbs Followed ONLY by Gerund (-ing)
Never follow these verbs with "to + infinitive":
🔵 Verbs Followed ONLY by Infinitive (to...)
Never follow these verbs with an "-ing" gerund: