Verbs followed by ‘ing’ or by ‘to + infinitive’ 1
9
Read the grammar explanation and do the exercise.
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’ ‘admit’ 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.
There is also a group of verbs that can be followed by an infinitive or an ‘ing’ form with a change in meaning. These verbs will be covered in another section.
Tags
Verb: Tenses Aspects Moods ›Grammar: infinitive or ing?
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Home » Grammar » Basic grammar
Verbs followed by ‘ing’ or by ‘to + infinitive’ 1
9
Read the grammar explanation and do the exercise.
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’ ‘admit’ 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.
There is also a group of verbs that can be followed by an infinitive or an ‘ing’ form with a change in meaning. These verbs will be covered in another section.
Tags
Verb: Tenses Aspects Moods ›Grammar: infinitive or ing?
HELP & SUPPORT
COURSES
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© British Council
The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).
ICP#: 10044692
This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you.
By continuing to browse the site we understand this is acceptable to you. Learn about managing cookies.
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Skip to main content Search form Search You are here Home » Grammar » Basic grammar Verbs followed by ‘ing’ or by ‘to + infinitive’ 1 9 Read the grammar explanation and do the exercise. 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’ ‘admit’ 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. There is also a group of verbs that can be followed by an infinitive or an ‘ing’ form with a change in meaning. These verbs will be covered in another section. Tags Verb: Tenses Aspects Moods ›Grammar: infinitive or ing? Elementary: A2Intermediate: B1 LearnEnglish Grammar HELP & SUPPORT Getting started Find out your English level Why register? House Rules Frequently asked questions COURSES Find a face-to-face or online course near you. BACK TO TOP Twitter Facebook Email Terms of use Accessibility Privacy and cookies Contact us Site map © British Council The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland). ICP#: 10044692 This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. By continuing to browse the site we understand this is acceptable to you. Learn about managing cookies. Yes, I agree No, I want to find out more Skip to main content Search form Search You are here Home » Grammar » Basic grammar Verbs followed by ‘ing’ or by ‘to + infinitive’ 1 9 Read the grammar explanation and do the exercise. 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’ ‘admit’ 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. There is also a group of verbs that can be followed by an infinitive or an ‘ing’ form with a change in meaning. These verbs will be covered in another section. Tags Verb: Tenses Aspects Moods ›Grammar: infinitive or ing? Elementary: A2Intermediate: B1 LearnEnglish Grammar HELP & SUPPORT Getting started Find out your English level Why register? House Rules Frequently asked questions COURSES Find a face-to-face or online course near you. BACK TO TOP Twitter Facebook Email Terms of use Accessibility Privacy and cookies Contact us Site map © British Council The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland). ICP#: 10044692 This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. By continuing to browse the site we understand this is acceptable to you. Learn about managing cookies. Yes, I agree No, I want to find out more ShareThis Copy and Paste
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