When to use verb, base verb or gerund [closed]

Solution 1:

THERE IS NO GENERAL RULE.

The answer depends on what word governs the clause in question. For example want takes an infinitive with "to", like takes an infinitive with "to" or a gerund.

Dare can take an infinitive with or without "to". But it is especially tricky because it is what is sometimes called a semi-modal. It can behave as a normal verb (requiring "do"-support for questions and negatives):

The children were so frightened they didn't dare [to] move.

or, at least for some speakers, as a modal, which doesn't take "do":

The children were so frightened they dared not move.

Dare you go there?

When it is a modal, it takes only the base form, like other modals.

Speakers vary in how much they use modal dare. For example, many people do not use it in the positive, and always use the "to" infinitive then:

He dared to speak to them

but other speakers do "He dared speak to them".

Some say "dare not" in the present, but would say "didn't dare" in the past.