Infinitive or –ing? 1.
verb + verb a ‘to’ infinitive only
I want to go to the cinema. I want you to do your homework.
Verb + ‘to’ Infinitive
Aim, arrange, attempt, can’t afford, claim, decide, deserve, hope, intend, learn, long, manage, offer, plan, prepare, refuse, seem, tend, threaten, vote, wish
Verb + (object) + ‘to’ Infinitive
Examples
I aim to please. I managed to beat him at poker.
Examples
choose, expect, help, need, pay, want, would like
She wants me to go to the party. I chose you to help me out.
Verb + object + ‘to’ Infinitive allow, challenge, enable, encourage, force, inspire, invite, order, remind, teach, train, trust, urge
2.
Examples My parents taught me to respect other people. They allowed her to have the afternoon off.
verb + verb a ‘ing’ only
I enjoy studying English. I dread my friends finding out about my secret.
Verb + -ing form
Examples
Adore, avoid, can’t stand, can’t • I never waste time ironing help, consider, delay, deny, my clothes. describe, detest, dislike, don’t • My family always avoids mind, dread, enjoy, fancy, finish, talking to me. imagine, keep, miss, practise, resent, resist, risk, spend, waste
3.
verb + verb a ‘bare’ infinitive [without ‘to’]
Let me help you (to) do the exercise. When I was a kid, they made me wear a uniform. [Active Voice] But: I was made to wear a uniform. [Passive Voice]
Infinitive & –ing 4. verb + verb a ‘to’ infinitive or ‘ing’ [without change in meaning]
I began / started / continued to study / studying French. They didn’t bother to talk / talking to the boss.
5. A.
verb + verb a ‘to’ infinitive or ‘ing’ [with change in meaning] Stop B.
• I stopped smoking. • I stopped to smoke.
C.
Try
• Try studying. • Try and study. • Try to study.
Love / Like / Hate
• I hate paying bills. • I like to pay my bills on the deadline.
D.
Remember / Forget
I remember going to Rio at Carnival. I remembered to buy a souvenir there.
I’ll never forget talking to her every evening. I forgot to send her a birthday post on Facebook.
E.
Regret
• I regret having (had) my tongue pierced. • I regret to inform you that you have failed the exam.
F.
Mean
• Buying this house means paying a high mortgage. • Do you mean to get married?
Special Cases 1.
Prefer
• I prefer chocolate to coffee. • She seems to prefer watching soap operas to talking to me. • I would prefer to see a movie rather than stay/staying at home.
prefer = would rather
• I would rather watch a video than go to the cinema. • I would rather be lying on a beach than working. • I would rather not go out this evening, if you don't mind. • I would rather you did something.
would rather = had better a used to suggest necessary action (slightly threatening in tone; more urgent than ‘should’ or ‘ought to’) • We had better not be late for the Ambassador’s party. It would be unforgivable to arrive late. • You had better phone him and tell him that you're not going. • They had better buy me a Christmas present or I shall never forgive them.
2.
Hear / See / Watch
We watched all the cars cross the finishing line. I heard someone coming up the stairs.
3. But:
4.
Used to
I used to go to clubs. [Past Habits] = used to + verb ‘to’ infinitive
I am / got used to driving long distances. [Present Habits] = get / be + used to + -ing form
Dare
Dare can be used without ‘to’ when there is no object. Compare: • They dared him to jump. • I didn't dare (to) say anything. • How dare you speak like that to me!
