I love to sing, or I love singing?

Not sure which one is correct?

They both are!

When a verb (doing word) follows another verb we either use 'to' in front of the second verb, or we add -ing:

I love to sing. I love singing.

I love to sing or I love singing

Sometimes we can choose between 'to' and '-ing', but sometimes only one form is correct.

to....(I need to...)

I'm hungry and I need to eat.

I'm hungry and I need eating - this is not correct.

The second verb after 'need' can only be followed by 'to'.

I need to work.

I need to practice the piano.

I need to drink some water, I'm thirsty.

Other verbs where only the 'to' form is possible include:

want plan decide try hope expect offer forget promise refuse learn

What do you want to do tomorrow? (not 'do you want doing')

Shall we plan to go to the beach? (not 'shall we plan going')

I hope to get a good grade in this exam.

I forgot to buy some milk.

I am going to learn to play the violin.

Shall we plan to go to the beach?

-ing... (enjoy learning)

I enjoy learning. (not I enjoy to learn)

I enjoy swimming.

I enjoy cooking.

Some verbs can only be followed by a second verb in the '-ing form'. These include:

enjoy stop mind finish suggest consider deny postpone

Do you mind doing the washing up this evening? (not 'do you mind to do')

I suggest buying some food to take on a picnic. (not 'I suggest to buy')

We should postpone going to the beach until it's stopped raining.

Should we consider taking the train to London instead of driving?

Stop running!

For some verbs it doesn't matter whether we use the 'ing' or 'to' form:

I love singing. I love to sing. Both are correct.

I love walking in the countryside.

I love to walk with my dog.

She loves doing jigsaw puzzles.

He loves to do crosswords.

Other verbs whether either form can be used are:

like start prefer continue hate begin attempt forget remember

I remember buying some toothpaste, but I can't remember where I put it.

I must remember to buy some toothpaste.

I prefer reading to playing sport.

I prefer to read than play sport.

I continued playing in the band, even after I left school.

I continued to play in the band until I was 20.

I prefer reading to playing sport. I prefer to read than play sport.

How do you know whether to use the 'to' form (which is known as the infinitive) or the '-ing' form (which is known as a gerund)?

Unfortunately it is a question of learning which verb can be followed by which form as there are no rules for this. A quick online search of 'gerunds and infinitives' will provide you with a list.

Remember: It is the first verb that decides whether the 'to' or the '-ing' form is the one to use.

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