Several verbs change meaning depending on whether they take a gerund or a to-infinitive: stop to do means pause to do something else, as in he stopped to buy some coffee, while stop doing means end an activity completely, as in she finally stopped smoking for good. Remember, regret, and forget follow similar patterns.
Grammar Rule
Several common verbs change meaning depending on whether they take a gerund or a to-infinitive.
Similar Verb Patterns (Stop/Remember/Regret): Rules and Examples
| Verb | + to-infinitive | + gerund |
|---|---|---|
| stop | pause to do something else: He stopped to buy some coffee. | end an activity completely: She finally stopped smoking for good. |
| remember / forget | future obligation: Remember to lock the door. | recalling the past: I remember locking the door. |
| regret | formal announcement: We regret to inform you. | sorrow about a past action: She regrets quitting her job so hastily. |
Remember: stop/remember/forget + to-infinitive = future action; + gerund = past/ongoing action; regret + to-infinitive = formal announcement.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below choosing the correct verb pattern with a gerund or to-infinitive. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
B2-45. Similar Verb Patterns (Stop to do vs Stop doing)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does stop to do mean?
To pause an activity in order to do something else, as in he stopped to buy some coffee.
What does stop doing mean?
To end an activity completely, as in she finally stopped smoking for good.
What is the difference between remember to do and remember doing?
Remember to do refers to a future obligation, as in remember to lock the door, while remember doing recalls a past action, as in I remember locking the door.
When does regret take a to-infinitive?
In formal announcements, as in we regret to inform you, while regret plus gerund expresses sorrow about a past action.