Love Doing vs. Love To Do
“Love” accepts both -ing and to-infinitive complements. Cambridge describes only a small meaning difference and notes that the -ing form is more common after love in the general pattern it discusses.
Both are standard. “Love doing” commonly foregrounds enjoyment of the activity; “love to do” is also possible and can place more emphasis on the preference or result.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| enjoyment of an activity | love + -ing | Common when the activity or experience itself is foregrounded. |
| preference or habitual choice | love + to-infinitive | Also standard; can foreground the chosen action or result. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you mainly emphasizing enjoyment of the activity itself?
If yes: “Love + -ing” is often the most natural fit.
If no: “Love + to-infinitive” is also standard when preference or a chosen practice is foregrounded.
Caveat: Both patterns are standard; the difference is often nuance rather than grammaticality.
Examples
I love reading on quiet mornings.
The activity itself is emphasized.
I love to read before bed.
The infinitive presents a preferred practice.
She loves working with small teams.
The gerund naturally names the enjoyed activity.
Further guidance
Infinitive Emphasis
Love + to-infinitive is also standard and can emphasize the preference, result or chosen action rather than the experience alone.
Ing Emphasis
Use love + -ing when emphasizing enjoyment of the action or experience itself.
Would Boundary
With would love, use a to-infinitive rather than an -ing form.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Hate, like, love and prefer — Cambridge Grammar (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary / English Grammar Today · Hate, like, love and prefer with -ing or to-infinitive, including emphasis, habit and regional notes