Grammar explanations-verbs+infinitive or -ing
Verbs+infinitive or -ing
Verbs followed by either -ing or infinitive with to
• Can’t bear, hate, like, love, prefer
Like to usually refers to habitual preferences.
We like to go out to lunch on Sunday.
Not like to means think it wrong to.
I don’t like to disturb colleagues at home.
• Attempt, begin, continue, intend, plan, propose, start
There is no difference in meaning whether we use -ing or infinitive with to.
Intend, plan, and propose can be followed by that + clause. This may include
should.
• Forget, remember
With to both verbs refer to an obligation.
/ had to phone the office but I forgot to do it.
With -ing both verbs refer to past events.
/ don’t remember learning to walk.
Both can be followed by that + clause.
/ remembered that I had to pay the phone bill.
• Try
With to this refers to something attempted, which might fail or succeed.
/ tried to warn him, but it was too late.
With -ing this refers to making an experiment, or to a new experience.
Try taking an aspirin. You’ll feel better.
Have you tried -windsurfing? It’s great!
• Go on
With -ing this refers to the continuing of an action.
She went on working even though it was late.
With to this refers to the continuation of a speech.
The Prime Minister went on to praise the Chancellor.
(This means the Prime Minister continued his speech by praising the
Chancellor.)
• Mean
With the meaning intend, this is followed by to.
Sony, I meant to tell you about the party.
With -ing, and an impersonal subject, this refers to what is involved.
If we catch the early train, it will mean getting up at 6.00.
That + clause is possible when meaning is being explained.
This means that you have to report to the police station.
• Regret
With to this refers to the speaker’s regrets about what is going to be said. It
often occurs in formal statements of this kind.
We regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful.
With -ing this refers to a regret about the past.
/ regret saying that to him.
That + clause is also possible.
We regret that we didn’t tell her earlier.
• Stop
With to this refers to an intention.
Jane stopped to check the oil level in the engine.
With -ing this refers to the ending of an activity.
The baby has stopped waking up during the night now.
• Hear, see, watch
When followed by infinitive without to, the action is complete.
We watched all the cars cross the finishing line.
With -ing, the action is still in progress.
/ heard someone coming up the stairs.
Verbs with an object, followed by either -ing or infinitive with to
• Admit
This can be used with or without to followed by -ing.
They admitted (to) being members of the gang.
That + clause is also possible.
He admitted that he was wrong.
• Allow, forbid, permit
With an object and to:
The school forbids students to smoke in the classrooms.
With an object -ing form:
The school does not allow smoking.
• Consider
With an object and to this refers to an opinion.
She is considered to be the finest pianist of her generation.
With -ing this means think about.
At one point I considered emigrating to Canada.
With that + clause it refers to an opinion.
We consider that she has behaved badly.
• Imagine
With an object and to:
/ imagined the castle to be haunted.
With -ing, an object is also possible.
/ couldn’t imagine (her) living in a place like that.
With that + clause it means suppose.
I imagine that you’d like a cup of tea after your long journey!
Verbs normally followed by infinitive with to
“agree,appear,arrange,attempt,ask,choose,dare,decide,demand,deserve,expect,
fail,grow,hasten,happen,hope,hurry,learn,long,manage,neglect,offer,pay,plan,
pledge,pretend,promise,refuse,resolve,seek,seem,struggle,swear,threaten,vow and want”
Verbs normally followed by -ing
“appreciate,avoid,contemplate,delay,deny,detest,dislike,
endure,enjoy,escape,excuse,face,fancy,finish,involve,mention,mind,miss
postpone,practise,resent,risk,suggest,it’s no good/use,feel like,give up
keep on,leave off,look forward to,put off,can’t stand,spend/waste time. “
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Exercises
Underline the word or phrase that is correct.
a) What do you mean to do/doing about the leaky pipes?
b) I never imagined the mountains to be/being so high!
c) Don’t forget to wake me/waking me before you leave.
d) I regret to tell you/telling you that we cannot accept your offer.
e) Did you manage to find/finding the book you were looking for?
f) I tried taking/to take that medicine you gave me but I couldn’t swallow it.
g) We have postponed to tell/telling anyone the news until after Christmas,
h) Have you considered to buy/buying a microwave oven?
i) Sorry I’m late, I had to stop to pick up/picking up the children from school,
j) Margaret was slow at school, but she went on to be/being Prime Minister.