Compare sentences a and b. How is the meaning of the underlined verb different when followed by an -ing form or an infinitive?

The meaning of the underlined verb is different when followed by an -ing form or an infinitive:

1. In sentence a, "tried buying" means that the speaker attempted to purchase a present for her, but it didn't have the desired effect (she was still angry).

In sentence b, "tried to buy" means that the speaker attempted to purchase a present, but couldn't because everything was too expensive.

2. In sentence a, "stopped talking" means that the speaker ended a conversation with a friend when the film started.

In sentence b, "stopped to talk" means that the speaker interrupted whatever they were doing to start a conversation with their friend.

3. In sentence a, "went on eating" means that they continued to eat popcorn after the film.

In sentence b, "went on to eat" means that they left the cinema and went to eat pizza.

4. In sentence a, "forget visiting" means that the speaker won't forget the experience of actually visiting the Taj Mahal.

In sentence b, "forget to visit" means that the speaker won't forget that they need to visit the Taj Mahal in the future.