English UsageComparison guide
Remember Doing vs. Remember To Do
With “remember + -ing,” the speaker recalls something that happened. With “remember + to-infinitive,” the speaker remembers an action that needs to be carried out.
“Remember doing” means have a memory of an earlier action or event. “Remember to do” means not forget to perform a task.
Key details
Confusion Familygrammar-and-usage distinction
Rule Familymeaning and construction
Termsremember doing, remember to do
Further guidance
Infinitive Pattern
Use remember + to-infinitive when you do not forget an action that needs to be done.
Ing Pattern
Use remember + -ing when you have a memory of an earlier event or action.
Time Boundary
The -ing pattern looks back to an event in memory; the to-infinitive pattern is about remembering the task at the point it needs to happen.
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.
- Remember or remind? — English Grammar Today (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Remember for retaining/recalling and remind for causing someone to remember