VERB COMBINATION

GRAMMAR RULES AND EXAMPLES

I. VERBS THAT CAN BE FOLLOWED BY A GERUND (VERB IN ING)

ADMIT, APPRECIATE, AVOID, CAN´T HELP, COMPLETE, CONSIDER,

DISCUSS, DISLIKE, DON´T MIND, ENJOY, FINISH, KEEP, MENTION,
MIND, MISS, POSTPONE, PRACTICE, PREVENT, PROHIBIT, QUIT,
RECALL, RECOMMEND, REGRET, REPORT, RESENT, RESIST, RISK,
SUGGEST, SUPPORT, TOLERATE AND UNDERSTAND.

EXAMPLES:

I avoid talking about religion.

He quit smoking two years ago.
English students can´t help asking questions in Spanish.

II. VERBS THAT CAN BE FOLLOWED BY AN INFINITIVE (TO + VERB)

AFFORD, AGREE, APPEAR, ARRANGE, ASK, ATTEMPT, CAN´T WAIT,

CHOOSE, CONSENT, DECIDE, DESERVE, EXPECT, FAIL, GROW, HELP,
HESITATE, HOPE, HURRY, INTEND, LEARN, MANAGE, MEAN, NEED,
NEGLECT, OFFER, PAY, PLAN, PREPARE, PRENTEND, PROMISE,
REFUSE, REQUEST, SEEM, STRUGGLE, SWEAR, VOLUNTEER, WAIT,
WANT, WISH, WOULD LIKE.

EXAMPLES:

They promised to come back early.

She has learned to speak English fast.
My boss requested me to send a report to our branch.

III. VERB + PREPOSITION + GREUND, AND ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION +

GERUND.

END UP, THINK ABOUT, PLAN ON, KEEP ON, LOOK FORWARD TO,
AFRAID OF, CRAZY ABOUT, GOOD AT, BAD AT, PROUD OF, TIRED OF,
INTERESTED IN, INSTEAD OF.

EXAMPLES:

They went to the beach instead of going to the pool.

He is crazy about traveling to Brazil.
We looked for the nicest place and we ended up living in an expensive
area.
IV. VERBS FOLLOWED BY EITHER AN INFINITEVE OR A GERUND WITH
THE SAME MEANING.

BEGIN, CAN´T STAND, CONTINUE, HATE, LIKE, LOVE, PREFER, START,

BOTHER.

EXAMPLES:

I like to go the movies / I like going to the movies.

She hates to cook. / She hates cooking.
We prefer to stay home. / We prefer staying home.

V. VERBS THAT CAN BE FOLLOWED BY EITHER AN INFINITVE OR

GERUND WITH DIFFERENT MEANINGS.

REMEMBER, STOP, FORGET, GO ON, TRY, REGRET.

EXAMPLES:

REMEMBER/FORGET infinitive and gerund meaning:

Remember to switch off the lights (regard to the future)

Do you remember switching off the lights? (regard to the past)

Go on to read (start something new)

Go on reading (continue with the same action)

I regret to say that (future)

I regret saying that (past)

I stopped to smoke (interrupt another action)

I stopped smoking (terminate)

Try to solve this riddle (do something complicated)

Try talking to him (do it and see what happens)

I HOPE YOU CAN MEMORIZE AND PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE.

EXON CABEZA DIAZ

ENGLIH AND SPANISH TEACHER
ENGLISH TEACHING SPECIALIST