3.196 verbs with either form

A few verbs can be used with either a present participle clause or a 'to'-infinitive clause without altering the meaning of the verb.

• It started raining.
• A very cold wind had started to blow.
• Maureen began dancing.
• Anne began to cry.
• Babies prefer sleeping on their back.
• Russians prefer to give gifts at New Year.
• We both love dancing.
• He loves to talk about metalwork.

Here is a list of verbs which can be followed either by a present participle or a 'to'-infinitive without greatly altering the meaning:

• attempt, begin, bother, cease, continue, deserve, fear, hate, like, love, prefer, start, try

Note that 'bother' is often used with a negative or a broad negative.

• He didn't bother complaining about it.
• We hardly even bother to clean it.