After like, love, prefer and hate, we can use either a to-infinitive or an ing-form. The meaning is the same.
Mrs Miles likes to do/likes doing parachute jumps.
She loves to look/loves looking down at the fields below.
We always prefer to stay/prefer staying in small hotels.
I hate to stand/hate standing up while I'm eating.
But compare these two meanings of the verb like.
LIKE TO DO LIKE DOING
Like takes a to-infinitive when it means that we Like usually takes an ing-form when we use it to
prefer to do something even though we may not talk about hobbies and interests, enjoy it. Claire likes skiing.
I like to check my work carefully before I I don't like swimming much,
hand it in.
B Would like, etc
After would like, would love, would prefer and would hate,
we use a to-infinitive but not usually an ing-form.
I'd like to do a parachute jump one day. My sister would love to work as an artist.
Mark would prefer to drive rather than take the train. I'm glad I live here. I'd hate to live in a big tit):
Compare would like and like.
I'd like to lie on the beach today. It's too hot to I like lying on the beach. I always spend my
do anything else. holidays sunbathing.
I'd like means 'I want', but it is more polite I like means the same as 'I enjoy',
(see Unit 52B).
C Start, intend, etc
We can use either a to-infinitive or an ing-form after these verbs: begin, bother, continue, intend, propose (= intend), start
People began to leave/began leaving the theatre before the end of the play. Rachel didn't bother to do/bother doing the washing-up. Do you intend to make/intend making a complaint? The meaning is the same.
We do not usually have two ing-forms together.
It was starting to get dark, not It was-starting-getting dark.
63 Exercises
1 Like and would like (A-B)
Write in the words. Begin I like ... or I'd like ...
Use these verbs: buy, chase, drive, play, see
Use these objects: computer games, rabbits, the manager, this car, this tin
► / like playing computer games.
1 ..3 .
2 ..4 ..
2 Like, love, prefer and hate (A-B)
Complete the sentences using the words in brackets.
► Mark: I've always wanted to visit San Francisco. Sarah: Me too. I'd love to visit (I'd love) it some time.
1 Harriet: Tom seems to enjoy watching football matches.
David: Yes, .. (he loves) United pla
2 Trevor: I'm glad I don't work as late as Sarah does.
Laura: Me too.................................................................................. (1 wouldn't like) such long hour
3 Matthew: I think I'll go and see this new film.
Emma: Can I go with you?............................................................. .. (I'd like) it, to(
4 Rachel: Do you want to come with me or wait here?
Vicky: . (I'd prefer) with you if that's OB
5 Laura: I think queuing is my least favourite activity.
Tom: I agree................................................................................................................. ... (I hate,
6 Claire: Does Mark cook for you?
Sarah: No, not often............................................... . (he doesn't like"
7 Reporter: Have you ever flown in a hot-air balloon?
Mrs Miles: No, but....................................................................................... (I'd love) in one someda;
8 Rachel: Did you say you're having your teeth looked at today?
Emma: Yes, ........................................................................................... (I like) them checked once a yeai
3 Start, intend, etc (C)
Complete this news report about a stolen taxi. Put in the to-infinitive or the ing-form of these verbs: drive,go, lock, make, search. Sometimes more than one answer is possible.
Kevin Paisley, 25, has lost his taxi. It was stolen on Friday afternoon. T just went into the newsagent's for a moment,' said Kevin. T didn't bother (►) to lock the car.' Kevin started (1) . his
own taxi only six months ago. T was just beginning (2) a profit,' he said.
'I intend (3) on with my work as soon as I get my taxi back.' The police are continuing (4)............................................ for the stolen car.