Gerunds and Infinitives

 There are certain  words in English that are usually followed by an infinitive or a gerund. When these  words are followed by an infinitive, this could be with or without to. Gerunds are form adding -ing to the base form.

To know you is to love you.

She made her swim.

Cycling is good for your health.

Before going to bed he turned of the light.

Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or by an infinitive with no difference in meaning.

Begin, like, continue, love, hate, prefer, intend and start.

I started to read. = I started reading.

Here is a video:

Here is an advanced video, you don't need to understand all of it. It's a good listening.