"To" and "ing"

Sara writes:
I would like to know why we use to or ing after some verbs?

We use "to" when we are trying to modify the verb. For example:

I love to eat ice cream.
I love to go shopping.
I love to read novels.
I love to explain English usage.

If we put "to" in front of a verb (eat, go, read, explain), we create an infinitive phrase. In these cases, the infinitive phrase acts as an adverb, to modify the verb "love."

Verbs with "ing" on the end are a little more complicated. Sometimes they can change a verb into a noun:

Reading is my favourite pastime.
Shopping can be fun.
Eating ice cream can give you a headache!

In these examples, the "ing" verb is the subject of the sentence.

But "ing" verbs can also be adjectives:

We went to the shopping centre.
He owns a good hunting rifle.

We may also use "ing" verbs to show an action over an uncertain length of time:

I am studying English. (Right now? Or since the semester started? We don't know.)
We were shopping this morning. (From 9:00 to 10:30? We don't know.)
I will be visiting my grandparents over the holidays. (For the entire holiday period? We don't know.)

I notice that my students in Canada use this "continuous" tense more and more:

I will be graduating in April.
I was wondering when the assignment is due.
They will be travelling to England this summer.

This is not "wrong," but it sounds as if graduation will take a long time. And when was the student wondering? Will they ever reach England?

Using the continuous tense can be wordy. In the above examples, we could also say:

I will graduate in April.
When is the assignment due?
They will travel to England this summer.

Sorry for such a long answer to such a short question!

Comments

[Pumpkin Pie]

kinda off subject...but, my father in law asked me if you can say - "I am having an appointment next week;" I told him no. It is I have an appointment next week. He argued about the appointment not being sure...so, I said, "I may have an appointment next week." He is bent on the fact that his English teacher from England told him that, "Of course you can say that." My FIL is French. Maybe, the English say this??? I am Ameircan. I just can't see it being said.

[Crawford Kilian]

Your father-in-law is right--he can indeed say it. It's a free country!

But I would avoid the continuous tense except in cases when the action or event is uncertain in length, or is happening right now.