Hate, like, love and prefer
->We can use hate, like, love and prefer with an -ing form or with a to-infinitive:
-I hate to see food being thrown away.
-I love going to the cinema.
-I prefer listening to the news on radio than watching it on TV.
-He prefers not to wear a tie to work.
->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.
– We often use the -ing form to suggest enjoyment (or lack of it), and the to-infinitive form to express habits or preferences.
Compare
-I like making jam.
-He likes telling jokes.
-They don’t like sitting for too long.
emphasis on the experience/action
-We have a lot of fruit in the garden. I like to make jam every year.
-I prefer to sort out a problem as soon as I can.
-If you prefer not to go camping there are youth hostels nearby.
a habit or preference
