What kind of verb, gerund or to infinitive, should follow another verb is a confusing question. Although there is no concrete rules, there are patterns.
We usually use a gerund after preference verbs (like like, love, hate, enjoy, etc.). We use this structure to say that we enjoy, or not, an activity. The gerund acts as an activity noun.
I love living in a big city.
I hate shopping.
While we use preference verbs + a to infinitive to talk about choices or habits.
I hate to shop on an empty stomach!
I like to brush my teeth after every meal.
If you aren't sure which to use, you can always get away with the gerund verb form.
However, we always use a to infinitive after would + a preference verb.
I would like to see a film.
I would love to live in New York City.
Would + a preference verb + expresses a desire, or not, to do something in the futre.This use of a to infinitive is true after other verbs that express future intentions or motives.
I want to eat. (I'm not eating but I want to soon.)
I came to have a talk with the director. (The reason why I came is to to talk)
A gerund can also be used as the subject of a phrase.
Eating fresh fruit is good for you but drinking is bad for you.
Smoking is prohibited.
Below, you have two lists of some common verbs based on which verb follows them.
verb + gerund
admit, avoid. consider, delay, deny, finish, give up, imagine, involve, keep on, mind, miss, postpone, practice, risk, suggest
verb + to infinitive
afford, agree, appear, arrange, ask, attempt, decide, expect, fail, help, hope, learn, manage, offer, prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, seem, try
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