Grammar · Verb Patterns: -ing & Infinitives
Gerunds vs. Infinitives
Some verbs are followed by “-ing”, and some by “to”. Learn which is which with the film The Greatest Showman.
Grammar › Verb Patterns: -ing & Infinitives › Gerunds vs. Infinitives
The rule in one sentenceAfter some verbs, like enjoy, the next verb takes -ing; after others, like want, it takes to + verb — so learn each verb together with its partner.
About the film
The Greatest Showman is a musical from 2017 about P. T. Barnum, a poor boy who never stops dreaming of a better life. As a man, he wants to give his wife Charity and their two daughters everything. So he decides to open a museum of strange and wonderful things, and he starts looking for unusual performers.
What does it do?
In English, one verb often follows another: I enjoy singing, I want to sing. The second verb can take two shapes. It can end in -ing, or it can come after to.
Which shape do you need? The first verb decides. Some verbs always take -ing. Others always take to + verb. There is no simple trick, so it is best to learn them in pairs.
Look at the tiles. “Enjoy” and “practise” take -ing. “Want” and “decide” take to. The meaning does not help you choose — the first verb does.
A few common verbs, like start, begin, like and love, can take both shapes with almost the same meaning: the band starts playing or the band starts to play.
Barnum keeps dreaming, because he wants to show the world something new.
Two verbs, two shapes. “Keep” takes -ing. “Want” takes to.
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
How to make it
verb + -ing — enjoy, keep, finish
The performers enjoy singing together.
Barnum doesn’t mind working long hours.
Put don’t or doesn’t before the first verb. The -ing stays.Do you enjoy watching musicals?
The question changes the first verb only.verb + to + verb — want, decide, hope
Barnum hopes to make his family proud.
He doesn’t want to stay poor forever.
“To” stays after the first verb.Does Barnum need to borrow money for his museum?
Keep “to” in questions too.When to use each one
-ing — the activity itself
to + verb — a plan or a goal
Words that help: which verbs go where?
Learn these common verbs with their partner shape.
-ing → after these verbs
to + verb → after these verbs
Common mistakes
❌ Barnum wants opening a museum.
✅ Barnum wants to open a museum.
“Want” always takes to + verb.
❌ The performers enjoy to sing together.
✅ The performers enjoy singing together.
“Enjoy” always takes -ing.
❌ Barnum is good at sell big ideas.
✅ Barnum is good at selling big ideas.
After “at”, “of” or “about”, use -ing.
❌ He decides open a museum.
✅ He decides to open a museum.
Don’t forget the “to” after “decide”.
One more thing
This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.
“Stop” changes its meaning. With -ing, it means you end an activity. With to, it means you pause one thing to do something else.
✅ The audience stops talking when the show begins. (no more talking)
✅ Barnum stops to listen to Lettie’s amazing voice. (he pauses so he can listen)
Practice: choose the right form
Eight questions. Choose one answer. You get the answer, and why.
1. Barnum wants ___ a museum.
“Want” takes to + verb → to open.
2. The crowd enjoys ___ the show.
“Enjoy” takes -ing → watching.
3. Barnum needs ___ money from the bank.
“Need” takes to + verb → to borrow.
4. Charity doesn’t mind ___ in a small flat.
“Don’t mind” takes -ing → living.
5. Barnum hopes ___ his daughters a better life.
“Hope” takes to + verb → to give.
6. The performers keep ___ even when they are tired.
“Keep” takes -ing → smiling.
7. Barnum is good at ___ new ideas.
After “at”, use -ing → finding.
8. Barnum promises ___ Charity happy.
“Promise” takes to + verb → to make.
Your turn
Choose one ending. Then listen to your sentence.
Every sentence here is correct. Pick the one that is true for you. Say it out loud too!
Keep going
Want to learn more?
More lessons