-ing or to + infinitive ? I just managed to avoid hitting t | IELTS With Masters

-ing or to + infinitive ?

I just managed to avoid hitting the car infront of me.
I just managed to avoid to hit the car infront of me.

I want to tell you a little about myself.
I want telling you a little about myself.

We've spent over $300 buying food for the party.
We've spent over $300 to buy food for the party.

We use to + infinitive after the following verbs: ask, afford, decide, deserve, help, hope, learn, offer, prepare, promise, refuse, seem, want, would like.

Summer seems to arrive later and later these days.
Nowadays most people would like to have more money.

Learn how is also followed by to + infinitive.

I want to learn how to drive before I go to university.

After some verbs, we use -ing: avoid, carry on, consider, deny, enjoy, finish, give up, imagine, involve, keep, like, mind, practise, recommend, resist, suggest.

I really enjoy watching movies at the cinema. (not enjoy to watch)

Look forward to is also followed by -ing.

I look forward to hearing your reply. (not I look forward to hear your reply)

We also use -ing after spend money and spend time.

We spent a lot of money buying CDs last month.
We spent $200 buying CDs last month.

She spent a lot of time looking for information on the internet.
She spent over three hours looking for information on the internet.

Note that like can be followed by -ing or to + infinitive.

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