1. GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

2. GERUND
A Gerund is a noun formed from a verb by adding –ing to the end of the verb. The gerund can be used as the subject of a sentence: 
Spending money on others promotes happiness.
or the object of a sentence:
He enjoyed being around her all day long.

3. INFINITIVE
An infinitive is the 'to' form of the verb. The infinitive form of 'learn' is 'to learn'. The infinitive can be also used as the subject of a sentence:
To learn is important.
or the object of a sentence:
He wants to learn.

4. GERUND vs. INFINITIVE
Gerunds and infinitives can often be used interchangeably however there is a meaning difference: using a gerund suggests that we are referring to real activities or experiences. Using an infinitive suggests that we are talking about potential or possible activities or experiences.

5. like I like speaking French because it's such a beautiful language.
(I like the experience of speaking French, and the way it makes me feel when I speak the language)
I like to speak French when I'm in France.
(I prefer the option of speaking French when I am in France)

6. mean
Mean + gerund (ing) expresses what you mean, or what the result of an action will be:
If you take that job in London, it will mean traveling for two hours every day.
Mean + infinitive expresses an intention/plan:
I mean to finish this report by 5:00 pm

7. stop Stop + Gerund means one quits doing something:
The government stopped providing free health care.
Stop + Infinitive means you were doing something and then took a break, or stopped on your way somewhere:
I stopped to buy milk on my way home. (I went to the store before going home.)