We can usehate, like, loveandpreferwith an -ingform or with ato-infinitive:
Ihateto see food being thrown away.
Ilovegoing to the cinema.
Ipreferlistening to the news on radio than watching it on TV.
Heprefersnot to wear a tie to work.
In American English, the forms withto-infinitive are much more common than the -ingform.
There is a very small difference in meaning between the two forms. The-ingform emphasises the action or experience. Theto-infinitive gives more emphasis to the results of the action or event. We often use the -ingform to suggest enjoyment (or lack of it), and theto-infinitive form to express habits or preferences.
| emphasis on the experience/action |
| a habit or preference |
The -ingform is more common than theto-infinitive form afterhateandlove:
Ihatedecorating. I’d rather pay a professional to do it.
Would+hate,like,love,prefer
When we usewouldor’dwithhate, like, love, prefer, we use theto-infinitive, not the-ingform:
Wewould loveto hear you sing.
Not:We would love hearing you sing.
They’d hateto cause a problem.
Not:They’d hate causing a problem.
I’d prefernot to give you my name.
Not:I’d prefer not giving you my name.
See also:
Like
Would like
Prefer