VERBS THAT CAN BE FOLLOWED BY INFINITIVES OR GERUND
Verbs that can be followed by infinitives
After many non-auxiliary verbs, we can use the infinitives of other verbs.
• It´s beginning to rain
• I don´t want to see you again
• She seems to be crying
Some common verbs that can be followed by infinitives include :-
afford,begin,fail,intend,prefer,seem,agree,care,forget,learn,prepare,start,appear,
choose,go on,like,pretend,swear,arrange,consent,happen,promise,trouble, ask,continue,hate,manage,propose,try,attempt,dare,help,mean,refuse,want
(can´t) bear,decide,hesitate,neglect,regret,wish,beg,expect,hope,offer
Verbs that can be followed by –ing forms
After some verbs we can use an –ing form, but not normally an infinitive.
• I dislike going swimming
• I enjoy learning English
• The criminal denied committing the crime
Some common verbs that are normally followed by –ing forms include :-
admit,dislike,give up,postpone,appreciate,endure,(can´t ) help,practise, avoid, enjoy,imagine,put off,burst out, (crying),escape,involve,resent,excuse,keep(on),resist,
consider,face,leave off,risk,contemplate,fancy,mention,(can`t) stand
delay,feel like,mind,suggest
deny,finish,miss,understand
detest, forgive
-ing form or infinitive
• I started playing / to play the violin when I was 10.
After some verbs, either an –ing form or an infinitive can be used. These include :-
advise, forbid, hear,prefer,start
allow,forget,intend,propose,stop
can´t bear,go,like,regret,try
begin,go on,love,remember,watch
continue,hate,permit,see
In some cases there is a difference of meaning between the two structures, for example :-
Remember and forget
Remember/forget + ing form refers back to the past – to things that one did. Forget .....ing is used mostly in the phrase I`ll never forget ......ing, and expressions with similar meanings.
• I still remember buying my first bicycle
• I`ll never forget meeting the Queen
Remember/forget + infinitive refers forward in time – to things that one still has or still had to do at the moment of remembering or forgetting.
• You must remember to fetch Mr. Smith from the station tomorrow
• I forgot to buy the soap
Go on
Go on + -ing form means `continue´
• She went on talking about her illnesses until we all went to sleep
Go on + infinitive refers to a change of activity
• She stopped talking about her illnesses and went on to tell us about all her
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