Gerunds and Infinitives: Verb + Gerund or Infinitive Some verbs can be followed by an infinitive or a gerund. These verbs in turn can be subdivided into two groups, verbs with little difference in meaning, and verbs with a distinct change in meaning. Verb + Gerund or Infinitive: Little difference in meaning. Here are some common verbs that can be followed by gerunds or infinitives with little change in meaning. A change of meaning may still exist however, as there are almost limitless combinations of verbs and gerunds/infinitives. begin - She began to sing. - He began working here last year. bother - Don't bother to wash the dishes. I'll do it. - Don't bother washing the dishes. I'll do it. continue - You can continue to live here for 6 months. - You can continue living here for 6 months. start - I started to learn the clarinet when I was 8. I started learning the clarinet when I was 8. love / like / hate /prefer These four verbs use the gerund for situations or actions in progress. The infinitive is used for factual information. hate - I hate working at my new job (I'm workng there now.) - I hate to work on Sundays. (specific time and situation) like - I like playing the piano. (I like the process andfeeling of playing the piano.) - I like to play the piano. (It's a fact I like to play the piano.) love - I love living in the country. (I'm probably living there now.) - I love to live in the country. (Generally speaking I like the country, maybe I'm not living there now.) prefer - I prefer to study by myself. (Sounds factual) - I prefer studying by myself. (Sounds more personal, perhaps I'm studying now.) These verbs are also often used with would and the infinitive, and refer to specific situations. For example: - I would love to go to China. - We would prefer to meet at 7.00. Allow / permit Allow and permit have one pattern for gerunds and another for infinitives. allow + gerund - My teacher doesn't allow eating in class. allow + object + infinitive - My teacher doesn't allow us to eat in class. permit + gerund - My teacher doesn't permit eating in class. permit + object + infinitive - My teacher doesn't permit us to eat in class. . Gerunds and Infinitives: Verb + Gerund or Infinitive Some verbs can be followed by an infinitive or a gerund. These verbs in turn can be subdivided into two groups, verbs with little. in meaning, and verbs with a distinct change in meaning. Verb + Gerund or Infinitive: Little difference in meaning. Here are some common verbs that can be followed by gerunds or infinitives. 7.00. Allow / permit Allow and permit have one pattern for gerunds and another for infinitives. allow + gerund - My teacher doesn't allow eating in class. allow + object + infinitive - My teacher