Some verbs take a gerund (the -ing form). Some take an infinitive (to plus the verb). The pair is memorized, not guessed from meaning. Recommend applying. Decide to apply. Avoid rushing. Hope to finish. Idioms as a set are in ACT idioms.
Listen for the slot
If the choices only differ by to take versus taking, look at the word in front. Enjoy, suggest, consider, and mind want -ing. Want, plan, refuse, and need want to. Opening a sentence with -ing is a different job, in dangling modifiers.
Diction overall is in word choice. Parallel lists of verbs must keep the same form, in parallel structure.
The bottom line
Match the form the front verb requires. Do not mix to and -ing in the same list.
Start practicing
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