Dear abra,
There is a very interesting, philosophical quotation of Nancy Astor, English politician, first woman member of the House of Parliament, where you might see the very masterful usage of this “very unusual” verb “dread”.
“I used to dread getting older because I thought I could not be able to do all the thing I wanted to do, but now that I am old I find that I don’t want to do them.”
Now I have the intention of answering your question concerning usage of infinitive or gerund in the sentence above.
With a number of verbs and word -groups both the gerund and the infinitive may be used. The most important of them are: to be afraid, to begin, to cease, to continue, can (cannot), afford, to dread, to fear, to hate, to intend, to like (dislike), to neglect, to prefer, to propose, to remember, to recollect, to start, to stop.
It is sometimes possible to find a reason for the use of a given form. With some verbs and words-groups, such as to be afraid, dread, forget, hate, like (dislike), prefer the infinitive is mostly used with reference to a special occasion., the gerund being more appropriate to a general statement.
In my opinion, your case is special occasion so you have to use infinitive.
“I dread to think “ is an idiom with the following meaning: “something that you say when you do not want to think about something because it is too worrying or too unpleasant
“He was going so fast. I dread to think what would have happen if my breaks hadn’t worked.”
No one deserves to work in an environment where you dread going to work or you feel like you are being punished (that is one of the worst feelings).
dread = to be afraid of
dread = great agitation and anxiety caused by the expectation or the realization of danger
dread = anticipate with horror
With the verb to remember the infinitive usually refers to the future, and the gerund to the past.
“I remember seeing the book in many bookshops.”
“Remember to buy the book.”
“I remember telling him” (a memory of the past)
“I must remember to tell him.” (something to remember for the future)
With the verb to stop the infinitive and the gerund have different syntactical functions.
The gerund forms part of a component verbal aspect predicate.
“They stopped talking when he came in.”
The infinitive has the function of an adverbial modifier of purpose.
She stopped to exchange a few words with a neighbor.
“I stopped smoking last month” (I no longer smoke)
“I stop to smoke a cigarette.” (I stopped what I was doing and had a cigarette)
Some verbs, can be followed by either the infinitive or – ing form but with the same meaning. Here are some common use:
“I love to go shopping.”
“I love going shopping.”
“I started to learn English 4 years ago.”
“I started learning English 4 years ago.”
Regards.
V.
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