Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 52 · A2

to ... (I want to do) and -ing (I enjoy doing)

Some verbs are followed by to ... (want to go), some by -ing (enjoy going), and a few take either. Would like, would love and similar always take to ...

Start the lesson

18Steps · about 31 minutes

In this lesson

verbs + to ... (I want to do)A1 screen of questions
verbs + -ing (I enjoy doing)B4 screens of questions
verbs + -ing or to ...C5 screens of questions
would like to ... (etc.)D2 screens of questions

Point A of 4

verbs + to ... (I want to do)

These verbs are followed by to ... (to do / to work / to be etc.):

want, hope, need, plan, expect, promise, decide, offer, refuse, try, forget, learn

  • Where do you want to go on Saturday?
  • There's plenty of time. We don't need to leave yet.
  • Marcus has decided to give up his job.
  • I forgot to lock the back door last night.
  • My nephew is learning to swim.
  • I tried to fix the boiler, but I made it worse.

Point A · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with to and the verb in brackets.

  1. I want a new bike. (buy)

  2. We decided the train to Bristol. (take)

  3. Don't forget the cat. (feed)

Point B of 4

verbs + -ing (I enjoy doing)

These verbs are followed by -ing (doing / working / being etc.):

enjoy, mind, stop, finish, suggest

We say I enjoy singing, not 'I enjoy to sing'.

  • I enjoy singing.
  • I don't mind working at weekends.
  • Has the baby stopped crying?
  • Hannah suggested having a picnic.

Point B · Exercise 52.1 · part 1 of 4

Put the verb in the right form, to ... or -ing.

  1. Example

    I enjoy cooking (cook).

    AnswerI enjoy cooking.

  2. Example

    Where do you want to eat (eat) tonight?

    AnswerWhere do you want to eat tonight?

  3. Bye! I hope (see) you soon.

  4. I learnt (ride) a bike when I was six.

  5. Have you finished (wash) the car?

  6. I'm hungry. I want (have) something to eat.

Point B · Exercise 52.1 · part 2 of 4

Put the verb in the right form, to ... or -ing.

  1. Do you enjoy (travel) by train?

  2. It was a lovely evening, so I suggested (eat) outside.

  3. Where's Ryan? He promised (be) here by eight.

  4. There's no rush. I don't mind (wait).

Point B · Exercise 52.1 · part 3 of 4

Put the verb in the right form, to ... or -ing.

  1. Where have you decided (go) on holiday?

  2. Abbie was furious and refused (talk) to me.

  3. Where's Sam? I need (ask) him something.

  4. The film was so sad that I started (cry).

Point B · Exercise 52.1 · part 4 of 4

Put the verb in the right form, to ... or -ing.

  1. I'm trying (read). Please stop (sing).

Point C of 4

verbs + -ing or to ...

These verbs can take -ing or to .... The meaning is the same either way:

like, love, prefer, hate, start, begin, continue

  • Do you like cooking? or Do you like to cook?
  • I prefer going by train. or I prefer to go by train.
  • Our dog loves swimming. or Our dog loves to swim.
  • I hate waiting in queues. or I hate to wait in queues.
  • It started snowing. or It started to snow.

Point C · Exercise 52.2 · part 1 of 3

Complete the sentences using to ... or -ing. Use one of the verbs in the box.

Use these

cookdrivegetgohelplistenlosemeetpostsnowstaywork

  1. Example

    I like Manchester, but I wouldn't like to work there.

    AnswerI like Manchester, but I wouldn't like to work there.

  2. Example

    I like driving when the roads are quiet.

    AnswerI like driving when the roads are quiet.

  3. Hamid has hundreds of recipes. He enjoys .

  4. What a surprise! I didn't expect you here.

  5. Don't forget the letter on your way to work.

  6. "Shall I drive you home?" "If you like, but I don't mind the bus."

Point C · Exercise 52.2 · part 2 of 3

Complete the sentences using to ... or -ing. Use one of the verbs in the box.

Use these

cookdrivegetgohelplistenlosemeetpostsnowstaywork

  1. This watch was my grandad's. I'd hate it.

  2. Kerry's bags were very heavy, so I offered her.

  3. It's a hot day. Would you like to the pool?

  4. After a long day, I like to music.

Point C · Exercise 52.2 · part 3 of 3

Complete the sentences using to ... or -ing. Use one of the verbs in the box.

Use these

cookdrivegetgohelplistenlosemeetpostsnowstaywork

  1. "Shall we leave now?" "No, I'd prefer a bit longer."

  2. We're not going out until it stops .

Point C · Exercise 52.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the answers to the questions. Use to ... or -ing.

  1. Example

    "Do you usually go to bed late?" "Yes, I like going to bed late."

    Answer"Do you usually go to bed late?" "Yes, I like going to bed late."

  2. "Do you ever go to concerts?" "Yes, I love ."

  3. "Do you often cook?" "No, I don't like ."

  4. "Have you ever been to Japan?" "No, but I'd love one day."

  5. "Do you often go swimming?" "Yes, I enjoy ."

Point C · Exercise 52.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the answers to the questions. Use to ... or -ing.

  1. "Shall we get the bus or walk?" "I don't mind the bus, but I'd prefer ."

Point D of 4

would like to ... (etc.)

would like, would love, would prefer, would hate are followed by to ....

We say I'd like to see it, not 'I'd like seeing it'. (I'd = I would)

  • Mrs Patel would like to speak to you.
  • I'd love to visit New Zealand.
  • "Would you like to sit here?" "No, I'd prefer to stand, thanks."
  • I wouldn't like to be a dentist.

Point D · Exercise 52.4 · part 1 of 2

Complete these sentences about yourself. Use to ... or -ing.

  1. I enjoy ___.

  2. I don't like ___.

  3. If the weather's good on Saturday, I'd like ___.

  4. When I'm on holiday, I like ___.

Point D · Exercise 52.4 · part 2 of 2

Complete these sentences about yourself. Use to ... or -ing.

  1. I don't mind ___, but ___.

  2. I wouldn't like ___.

Lesson 52 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: I want you to ... I told you to ...Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. verbs + to ... (I want to do)–Not checkedB. verbs + -ing (I enjoy doing)–Not checkedC. verbs + -ing or to ...–Not checkedD. would like to ... (etc.)–Not checked