Hate, Love, Like and Prefer: Gerund or Infinitive?

In English, we can use verbs hate, like, love, and prefer with gerund (-ing form) or to-infinitive. In American English, the forms with to-infinitive are much more common than the -ing form.

However, while both these options are correct, there is a small difference between their meanings.

Rule 1: We can use the -ing form to put an emphasis on the experience or action and to suggest enjoyment or lack of it.

Rule 2: We can use to-infinitive to give more emphasis to the results of the action or event and to express habits or preferences. It is also perceived a more formal and distant option.

Note: The -ing form is more common than to-infinitive after verbs hate and love.

Rule 3: When we use would (or its contraction ’d) with the verbs hate, like, love, prefer, we use the to-infinitive, not the gerund.