English (UK) · Gerund or Infinitive

-ing or to? Meaning Changes

A few verbs take both forms, but the meaning changes:

stop + -ing = no longer do it: I stopped smoking. stop + to = pause in order to do something else: We stopped to buy bread.
remember / forget + to = a task you need to do: Remember to lock the door. + -ing = a memory of the past: I remember meeting her.
regret + -ing = be sorry about something you did: I regret telling him. regret + to (formal) = be sorry to announce bad news: We regret to inform you…
go on + -ing = continue the same activity: She went on talking. go on + to = do something new next: She went on to study law.

Tip: to points forward to the action; -ing looks back at it or at something already happening.

Examples

I stopped (smoke) two years ago.Show answer

I stopped smoking two years ago.

On the way home, we stopped (buy) some bread.Show answer

On the way home, we stopped to buy some bread.

Stop (talk) and listen to me!Show answer

Stop talking and listen to me!

We were hungry, so we stopped (get) something to eat.Show answer

We were hungry, so we stopped to get something to eat.

It stopped (rain) an hour ago.Show answer

It stopped raining an hour ago.

Halfway up the hill, I stopped (catch) my breath.Show answer

Halfway up the hill, I stopped to catch my breath.

Remember (lock) the door when you leave.Show answer

Remember to lock the door when you leave.

I remember (meet) her at a party years ago.Show answer

I remember meeting her at a party years ago.

Did you remember (feed) the cat?Show answer

Did you remember to feed the cat?

I don't remember (say) that.Show answer

I don't remember saying that.