The to infinitive and the -ing form (the present participle) can each be used after certain verbs.Verbs followed by the to infinitive include: agree, arrange, attempt, choose, decide, fail, hope, learn, manage, offer, plan, seem.- I agreed to help Shona with her homework.
- The driver attempted to remove the flat tyre.
- I hope to see you again at the next meeting.
Verbs followed by an object + the to infinitive include: advise, allow, command, forbid, force, invite, order, persuade, remind, teach, tell.- Peter advised Ron to call the police.
- Esther reminded her teacher to set some revision.
Verbs that can be followed either directly by the to infinitive or by an object + the to infinitive include: ask, expect, help, intend, like, love, hate, mean, prefer, want, wish.- I certainly intended to go to the party.
- We really expected Sally to pass the exam.
- Note this difference:
- I want to have a cat = It will be my cat.
- I want her to have a cat = It will be her cat.
- Dad likes to wash the car = Dad washes the car.
- Dad likes John to wash the car = John washes the car.
Verbs followed by the -ing form include: avoid, be used to, delay, dislike, escape, finish, forgive, give up, go on, imagine.- I usually avoid going into town late at night.
- Miriam hates peeling potatoes.
- Have you finished reading that book yet?
- Some verbs may be followed either by the to infinitive or by the -ing form with little or no change in meaning. These verbs include: begin, start, cease, continue, intend, like, love, hate, prefer.
- He began to run around shouting.
- He began running around shouting.
- She likes to swim in the sea.
- She likes swimming in the sea.
- I can’t bear to see violence.
- I can’t bear seeing violence.
- Some verbs may be followed either by the to infinitive or by the -ing form but the meaning of the sentence changes depending on the form that is used. These verbs include: try, forget, remember.
- I remembered to switch the lights off before we went out.
- I remember switching the lights off before we went out.
- She tried to talk to him, but his secretary wouldn’t put the call through.
- She tried talking to him, but he wouldn’t listen.
Particularly after verbs such as go and come, the to infinitive is understood to express purpose.- She has gone to do the shopping.
- They came here to learn English.
Use of the verb followed by the -ing form concentrates on what happens. The second verb is really the object of the first one. These verbs include: remember, forget, try.- I definitely remember switching the lights off before we went out.
- She tried talking to him, but he wouldn’t listen.
Some set expressions are followed by -ing. These include: it’s not worth, and it’s no fun.- It’s no fun going out alone.
- It’s no use phoning him; he’s gone away.
- It’s worth trying one more time.
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