What’s the secret? Is a question as common as the confusion the structure causes learners….There must be a trick! they say…. When it comes to verbs followed by INFINITIVE or GERUND there are no quick and easy ways, the closest explanation is that “verb + to” is often used in relation to an action which happens after the first verb.
We plan to go to Spain for our summer holidays.
Whereas, “verb + gerund (ing)” is often used in relation to an action which happens before or at the same time as the first verb.
Some people consider leaving their job before they find a new one.
These structures come naturally to native speakers so it’s understandable why you find them frustrating, confusing and near on impossible – don’t throw in the towel just yet! With time you’ll find that being aware of the forms and focusing on them when communicating with native speakers and especially when reading in English it will become second nature.
Attached you’ll find a quick reference sheet to-infinitive and gerund
Randall Languages ~ be an English speaker 
Very useful! Thanks for the post. Just like you said, I believe the better way to get used to using correctly one form or another is listening to native speakers and reading books until the misuse “make noise” in your ears….
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