This is our third and final lesson that handles the difference between the two forms VERB+ING or TO + VERB in English. If you’re looking for the first two lessons, you’ll find them here and here.
In this lesson we’re looking at using the forms VERB+ING or TO + VERB with the verbs LIKE, LOVE and HATE with this form in the Present Simple, the Present Perfect, and with the modal verb Would.
Have fun with the lesson, and don’t forget to try the quizzes by clicking on their links below
– James.
Lesson Contents
Like / Love / Hate
When you talk about repeated actions, you can use VERB+ING or TO + VERB after LIKE, LOVE and HATE.
Do you like shopping in town?
or
Do you like to shop in town?
I hate taking the bus.
or
I hate to take the bus.
I love eating curry.
or
I love to eat curry.
However, we use VERB+ING (not TO + VERB) when we talk about an action that is happening now (in the Present), or was happening at the time that you are talking about (in the Past).
I live in London. I love living there.
(not I love to live)
I used to eat at the Chinese restaurant. I liked eating there.
(not I liked to eat)
Would like / Would love / Would hate / Would prefer
Would like, would love, would hate and would prefer are usually followed by TO + VERB.
I’m very tired, I would love to have a holiday.
Would you like to come to the picnic tomorrow?
I would prefer to have sausages tonight.
Let’s compare I like and I would like (I’d like):
I like to play dominoes.
(I enjoy this activity)
I would like to play dominoes.
(I want to do this activity soon)
Would mind is always followed by VERB+ING (not TO + VERB):
Would you mind doing the washing-up tonight?
Would like to have done
I would like to have done something means I regret now that I didn’t or couldn’t do something:
It’s a shame we couldn’t visit the museum. I would like to have seen it.
I would like to have gone to the beach, but we had so much work to do.
You can use the same structure after would love, would hate or would prefer:
I‘d love to have gone to the picnic, but we had so much to do.
I would hate to have been born in the nineteenth century.
