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Hate, Like, Love or Prefer - English lesson

Hate, like, love and prefer can be used with an -ing form or with a to infinitive.

-I hate to see pets in the kitchen.

-I love going to the races.

-I prefer not to wear my good shoes when training.

In American English, the forms with to infinitive are much more common than the -ing form. 

There is a very small difference in meaning between the two forms. The -ing form emphasises the action or experience.

The to infinitive gives more emphasis to the results of the action or event.

The -ing form is often used to suggest enjoyment (or lack of it), and the to infinitive form to express habits or preferences.

Let's compare:

Emphasis on the experience/action.

-I like framing pictures.

-She likes playing cards.

-They don't like going out to eat.

Habit or preference.

-I like to make jam every year.

-I prefer to have bread and coffee for breakfast.

-If you prefer not to go by car, we can go by bus.

The -ing form is more common than the to infinitive form after hate and love.

-I hate painting, I'd rather pay a painter to do it.

Would + hate, like, love, prefer.

When would or "d" is used with hate, like, love, prefer, the to infinitive and not the -ing form is used.

-They would love to hear you play the piano. Not: They would love hearing you play ...

-I'd hate to make you sad. Not: I'd hate making you sad.

-I'd prefer to deal with the situation. Not: I'd prefer dealing ....

Hope this helps.

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English exercise "Hate, Like, Love or Prefer" created by leopold with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from leopold]
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1. Our house is likeloveI don't know theirs except for the interior decorations.

2. The lovelikeI don't know they have for each other is something to behold.

3. I preferhateI don't know to catch the train to work instead of driving.

4. She didn't recall what it was, that made him hateloveI don't know and leave her.

5. I made romantic plans of lovehateI don't know and happiness with her.

6. On our trip we will visit cities that we lovelikeI don't know, such as Venice and Barcelona.

7. As a rule they lovepreferI don't know not to stay at home at weekends.

8. If you lovehateI don't know Star Wars, you should watch the latest episode.

9. He was not petted and spoiled preferlikeI don't know many of us.

10. I'd preferhateI don't know to think we spent that awful morning with no results.