More on ... Verbs followed by to-infinitive or -ing

When one verb is followed by another, the second verb can either be an
infinitive
or an
–ing
form. Some verbs can be followed by only an
infinitive
, others by only an
–ing
form and some by both but with a change in meaning. To know which structure to use, you can consult a good dictionary but here are some common examples.


Verb + infinitive

• I want to speak to the manager.
• She’s learning to ride a horse.
• He offered to help us wash up.

‘Want’, ’learn’ and ‘offer’ are followed by to + infinitive

Other verbs in this group include: afford, agree, ask, choose, decide, expect, hope, prepare, promise, pretend, refuse, would like.

Verb + ‘ing’ form

• I enjoy travelling.
• He admitted stealing the necklace.
• I don’t mind waiting if you’re busy.

‘enjoy’ ‘steal’ and ‘mind’ are followed by the ‘ing’ form

Other verbs in this group include: avoid, consider, dislike, feel like, finish, give up, can’t help, practise, suggest.

Verb + infinitive or ‘ing’ form with no change in meaning

A few verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or the ‘ing’ form and the meaning does not change.

• I started to work here in 1994.
• I started working here in 1994.

The meaning of these two sentences is the same.

There aren’t many verbs that can take an infinitive or an ‘ing’ form with no change in meaning. ‘Begin’ and ‘continue’ are two more examples.

Exercise - British Council

There is also a group of verbs that can be followed by an infinitive or an ‘ing’ form with a change in meaning. These are some of the most common ones.

like

• I like watching old films on TV.

With an ‘ing’ form, ‘like’ means ‘enjoy’

• I like to wash up as soon as I finish eating.

I might not enjoy washing up but I think it’s the right thing to do.

Remember that ‘would like’ can only be followed by an infinitive.

• I’d like to go to Japan next year, if possible.

try

• I’m trying to learn Japanese but it’s very difficult.

Try + to + infinitive means that something is difficult and you make an attempt to do it.

• Have you tried using butter instead of oil?

Try + ‘ing’ means make an experiment. It’s not difficult – it might work, it might not.

stop
Stop + ‘ing’ tells us what has stopped. in this example, buying a newspaper.

• I’ve stopped buying a newspaper every day to try to save money.

Stop + to + infinitive tells us why something stopped. In this example the reason that the bus stopped was to pick up the children.

• The bus stopped to pick up the children.

remember /forget

• Don’t forget to post that letter for me.
• Did you remember to post that letter for me?

Remember/forget + to + infinitive means that you remember something you have to do – a duty or a chore.

• I’ll always remember meeting you for the first time.
• I’ll never forget meeting you for the first time.

Remember/forget + ‘ing’ form means remember something you did in the past – an event or an activity.

Exercise 2