-ing forms
-ing forms can be the subject or object of a clause or sentence:
Analysing the results took them all day. (subject)
I enjoy working with computers. (object)

-ing forms are used:
- after certain verbs and expressions, especially those expressing liking/disliking
I don’t mind sharing a flat.
Other examples are:
love can't stand miss
enjoy dislike imagine
adore don't mind finish
feel like avoid it's not worth
detest suggest it's/there's no use
hate consider there's no point

- after adjective and preposition combinations
My landlady is fantastic at cooking.
Other examples are: good/bad at, pleased, worried about, afraid, terrified of, interested in, keen on

- after verb and preposition combinations
I don’t approve of people who have parties every night.
Other examples are: look forward to, object to, insist on, believe in, succeed in, apologise for, accuse someone of, consist of, congratulate someone on

- after phrasal verbs
The college took over running the hostel from a private landlord.

The infinitive
The infinitive is used
- after certain verbs
I can’t afford to pay too much rent.
Other examples are: agree, hope, promise, ask, want, expect, choose, intend, prefer, help, pretend

- after certain adjectives
I was surprised to see him making his bed.
Other examples are: difficult, possible, happy, certain, simple

- after verbs with the pattern: verb + someone + to do + something
I asked her to open the window.
Other examples are: encourage, permit, allow, persuade, teach, force

- to express purpose
I went to Australia to study economics.

The infinitive without to
This is used after modal auxiliaries (can, must), after let, had better and would rather. Make has no to in the active, but adds to in the passive:
I made him go to school. / He was made to go to school.
Help is followed by the infinitive with or without to. Let me help you (to) move into your new flat.


These activities practise this Grammar: