Verbs + in nitive or -ing

Verbs followed by either -ing or in nitive with to

• Can’t bear, hate, like, love, prefer

Like to usually refers to habitual preferences.

We like to go out to lunch on Sunday.

Not like to means ‘think it is wrong to’.

I don’t like to disturb colleagues at home.

• Attempt, begin, continue, intend, plan, propose, start

There is no di erence in meaning whether we use -ing or in nitive with to.

Suddenly it began raining. Suddenly it began to rain.

Intend, plan and propose can be followed by that + clause. This may include should.

• Forget, remember

With to both verbs refer to an obligation.

I had to phone the o ce but I forgot to do it.

Please remember to turn o the lights when you leave.



With -ing both verbs refer to past events. Forget + -ing is uncommon.

I don’t remember learning to walk.

Have you forgotten writing the application?

Both can be followed by that + clause.

I didn’t remember that I had to phone the o ce.

Have you forgotten that you wrote the application?

• Try

With to this refers to something attempted, which might fail or succeed.

I tried to warn him, but it was too late.

We tried to contact her three times, but there was no reply.

With -ing this refers to making an experiment, or to a new experience.

Try taking an aspirin. You’ll feel better.

Have you tried windsur ng? It’s great!

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• Go on

With -ing this refers to the continuing of an action.

She went on working even though it was late.

You can’t go on working such long hours without risking your health.

With to this refers to what happened next.

The prime minister went on to praise the chancellor.

Jim went on to become managing director of the company.

• Mean

With the meaning intend, this is followed by to.

Sorry, I meant to tell you about the party.

Did you mean to write this sentence, or was it a mistake?

With -ing it refers to what is involved.

If we catch the early train, it will mean getting up at 6.00.

Being tolerant means accepting people as they are.

That + clause is possible when meaning is being explained.

Catching the early train means that we will have to get up at 6.00.

Being tolerant means that you accept people as they are.

• Regret

With to this refers to the speaker’s regrets about what is going to be said. It often occurs in formal
statements like the following:

We regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful.

With -ing it refers to a regret about the past.

I regret saying that to him.

It seemed the right thing at the time, but now I regret resigning.

That + clause is also possible.

I regret that I said that to him.

It seemed the right thing at the time, but now I regret that I resigned.
• Stop

With to this refers to an intention.

Jane stopped to check the oil level in the engine.

With -ing it refers to the ending of an activity.

The baby has stopped waking up during the night now.

• Hear, see, watch

When followed by in nitive without to, the action is complete.

We watched all the cars cross the nishing line.

I saw the car crash into the tree.

With -ing, the action is still in progress.

I heard someone coming up the stairs.

I saw her working in the garden.

Verbs with an object, followed by either -ing or in nitive with to

• Allow, forbid, permit

With an object and to:

The school forbids students to smoke in the classrooms.

With an object -ing form:

The school does not allow / forbid / permit smoking.

• Consider

With an object and to this refers to an opinion.

People considered her to be the nest pianist of her generation.

Passive use is also possible.

What is considered to be a good score in the test?

With -ing this means ‘think about’.

At one point I considered emigrating to Canada.

With that + clause it refers to an opinion.

We consider that she has behaved badly.

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• Imagine

With an object and to:

I imagined the castle to be haunted.

With -ing, an object is also possible.

I couldn’t imagine (her) living in a place like that.

With that + clause it means ‘suppose’.

I imagine that you’d like a cup of tea after your long journey!

• Require



With an object and to:

They required him to ll out a form.

Passive use is also possible.

He was required to show them his passport.

With -ing:

These letters require typing.

Verbs normally followed by in nitive with to

• Verbs marked * can also be followed by that + clause.

*agree *demand hurry *pledge *swear

*appear deserve *learn *pretend *threaten

*arrange *expect long *promise *vow

attempt fail manage refuse want

ask grow neglect *resolve *wish

choose hasten o er seek

dare *happen pay *seem

*decide *hope *plan struggle

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• Appear, (so) happen and seem are only used impersonally with that + clause.

It appears that I’ve made a mistake.

It so happens that he is my brother!

It seems that Mary is going to win.

• Want can be used colloquially with -ing, and has a similar meaning to need.

The car wants cleaning.

Verbs normally followed by -ing

• Verbs marked * can also be followed by that + clause.

*appreciate face *suggest

avoid *fancy it’s no good/use

contemplate nish feel like

delay involve give up

*deny *mention keep on

detest mind leave o

dislike miss look forward to

endure postpone put o

enjoy practise can’t stand

escape *resent spend / waste time

excuse risk

• Admit

This can be used with or without the preposition to followed by -ing.

They admitted (to) being members of the gang.

That + clause is also possible.

He admitted that he was wrong.

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• Appreciate can be followed by possessive + -ing. In everyday speech we often use an object instead of a
possessive.

I appreciate your trying to help.

I appreciate you trying to help. 


• Involve has an impersonal subject.

Being an athlete involves regular training.

The company has a plan, which involves recruiting 500 new employees.



Verbs followed by in nitive without to

• Help can be used with or without to.

I helped George (to) carry the bags.

Reading this book article helped me (to) understand the problems involved. 


• Make and expressions with make

They made me leave. We shall have to make do.

In the passive, to is used.

I was made to leave. 


• Let and expressions with let

They didn’t let me leave. Let me go!



Verbs followed by an object and to

• Verbs marked * can also be followed by that + clause, usually with change of meaning.

*advise assist beg bribe

command dare employ enable

encourage instruct invite lead

*order *persuade select send

*teach *tell train urge *warn

I begged her to reconsider her decision.

They advised me to check all the details online. (gave advice)

They advised her that her visa was ready to be collected. (informed)
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• Dare can be used without to when there is no object. Compare:

They dared him to jump.

I didn’t dare (to) say anything.