Verb + Infinitive and Verb + -ing form

Name: ______________________________________

Class: ______ (

We often use one verb after another verb. When a verb follows another, some verbs take a toinfinitive form and some take a ing form (gerund).
Verb + to-infinitive
Read the following short passage and fill in the blanks below.
Hi Sue,
You know Ive always wanted to study chemistry well, Ive just had great news. The university has
given me a place on the chemistry course! Ive decided to do the four-year course it should be
really interesting. The course starts in October and Ive arranged to stay in one of the student houses
near the college. I cant afford to pay the fees myself so my parents have promised to help me. And I
can get student loans as well. Uncle Jim has offered to give me a job, so I expect to make some
money then. Everything seems to be fine.
By the way, were having a party here next weekend. Would you like to come? You can bring Helen if
you like. Everyone here would love to meet her.
Annie X
Others
remember*
expect
try*
Category

ask
Mental
activity
appear
forget*

states

Future arrangements
or choose
pretend
Intend*

Verbs
Agree,
_________________,
decide,
_________________,
learn, need, _________________,
want, _________________
Aim,
arrange,
_________________,
_________________,
_________________, offer, plan,
prepare,
promise,
_________________, threaten
_________________,
_________________, seem, tend

hope
wish
Appearance
attempt

Examples
M
Did you agree to help them?
Why did you decide to go
camping?
Im learning to read literature.
F
The school aims to provide
excellent education.
The colleague promised not to
tell my secret to others.
Our neighbours are threatening
to call the police.
A
Mr. Law doesnt seem to be
nice.
Teenagers tend not to go to bed
early.
O
_________________, (can/cant) We cant afford to eat out
afford,
_________________,
tonight.
deserve,
fail,
offer, The student failed to submit his
_________________
work on time.
Verbs with an asterisk(*) can also be followed by an ing form, sometimes with a difference in

meaning.
Points to note
We also use to-infinitive
after be + _________________ such as glad, happy, nice, sorry, etc.
E.g. Jason will be happy to see you.
E.g. It is nice to be back home.
after some verbs such as know, learn, remember, ask, want to know, etc when there is a
_________________ (who, what, where, how, etc) after them. _________________ is not
followed by an infinitive, but a subject + verb.
E.g. I dont know how to answer this question.
E.g. I dont know why he didnt know how to answer the question.
after would (_________________) and _________________, _________________,
_________________, _________________.
E.g. Id really like to learn a new skill. Shall we go rock climbing?
E.g. Id prefer not to go out this evening. Im really tired.
with _________________ and _________________.
E.g. Its too cold to go outside.
E.g. Joe isnt old enough to vote.
to express purpose.
E.g. I went to the bookstore to buy some books.
E.g. I stay at school to finish my marking.
Bare infinitive
We use the bare infinitive
after _________________ (can, must, etc.).
E.g. You can go home now.
E.g. You must not cheat in the exam.
after _________________.
E.g. I would rather stay at home tonight.
E.g. I would rather not go out tonight.
after the _________________ let and make.
E.g. My parents let me have a party for my birthday last month.
E.g. My parents make me attend tutorial classes on weekdays.

Verb (+ adverb/preposition) + -ing form

Read the following short passage and fill in the blanks below.
Do you enjoying helping people?
Are you thinking of changing your job?
Have you ever considered being a nurse?
Training as a nurse takes three years. As soon as you finish, you can start earning good money.
Or you can continue studying and learn more about special areas like child care.
If you want a job that is satisfying and you dont mind working long hours, then nursing is for you!
miss
Ideas and opinions
stop*
continue*
prefer*
Category
L

dislike
imagine
hate*
Actions that start,
stop or continue
cant help

start*
involve
Likes and dislikes
begin*

Others
think of
like*
consider

postpone

Verbs
_________________, cant stand,
enjoy,
_________________,
_________________, love, (not)
mind, _________________
Admit,
_________________,
_________________,
look
forward
to,
recommend,
suggest, _________________

Examples
I enjoy not doing anything
sometimes.
Simon doesnt mind working
late today.
Do you admit stealing that
mobile phone?
Id recommend staying near the
city.
He suggested paying by credit
card.
Has he given up smoking?
I spent two hours preparing this
meal.
Lena practises singing every
day.

_________________,

_________________, delay, give

up,
_________________,
_________________, finish, keep
(on),
practise,
________________, put off,
spend (time)
O
Avoid,
_________________, You cant risk losing your job
deny,
_________________,
over a silly argument.
_________________,
_________________, risk
Verbs with an asterisk(*) can also be followed by an infinitive, sometimes with a difference in
meaning.
Points to note
We also use ing form
after prepositions.
E.g. Im tired of going to work by bus every morning.

E.g. Hes good at playing the piano.

after the verb go when we talk about activities.
E.g. We usually go hiking at the weekends.
After the expressions be busy, its no use, its no good, its (not) worth, whats the use of?,
theres no point in.
E.g. I am busy marking students quizzes.
E.g. Its not worth arguing with him.
after the verb look forward to.
E.g. Im looking forward to seeing you again.
We use a to-infinitive but not the ing form after the expressions would (d) and
_________________, _________________, _________________, _________________.
E.g. I would like to have my own room one day.
Some verbs can be followed by an ing form or an infinitive, with no difference in meaning
attempt
begin
bother
cant bear
cant stand
cease
continue
deserve
fear
hate
intend
like (=enjoy)
love
prefer
start
E.g. I cant stand to see/ seeing animals in pain.
Some verbs, e.g. love, hate, like and prefer, are usually followed by an -ing form when used in a
____________________ sense, whereas a to-infinitive is often used for a
____________________ situation.
E.g. I like exercising but I dont like to exercise in a gym.
Other verbs with different meanings in different forms
Verb
+ -ing form
Forget/
For an event or situation in the
remember
_____________
Ill never forget riding my first bike.
Do you remember learning to swim?
Stop

______________ an action
Have you stopped practicing now?

Try

Do something as an _______________
Try turning it off and on again.

+ to + infinitive
For something you ______________
do/ ________________ have done:
Dont forget to lock the door!
Did you remember to bring the
CDs?
______________ an action in order
to do something else:
No, weve just stopped to take a
break.
Try to do something _____________
Im not an electrician, but Ill try
to repair it.

We usually avoid putting two _______________ or two ______________ together.

We dont normally say He intended starting taking lessons but He intended to start taking lessons.

References
Dooley, J. & Evans. V. (2004). Grammarway Book 2. Newbury, UK: Express Publishing.
Foley, M. & Hall, D. (2012). MyGrammarLab Elementary A1/A2. Harlow, UK: Pearson.
Foley, M. & Hall, D. (2012). MyGrammarLab Intermediate B1/B2. Harlow, UK: Pearson.