Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive
Do you know when to use -ing and when to use to + infinitive after a verb?
Look at these examples to see how the verb forms are used.
- I enjoy learning languages.
- I want to learn a new language.
A verb can be followed by another verb. The second one usually needs to change into the -ing form or the to + infinitive form.
Which form you need depends on what the first verb is.
Verbs followed by the -ing form
When enjoy, admit and mind are followed by another verb, it must be in the -ing form.
- I enjoy travelling.
- He admitted stealing the necklace.
- I don't mind waiting if you're busy.
Other verbs in this group include avoid, can't help, consider, dislike, feel like, finish, give up, miss prefer, recommend, practise and suggest.
Like and love can be followed by the -ing form and the to + infinitive form. They are both correct.
After prepositions
I’m tired of waiting. Let’s go home.What was her reaction on hearing the news? He told the joke without laughing. They are afraid of losing the match.
The negative form of the gerund .
The negative form of the gerund is: not + -ing.
- He enjoys not having to wake up early at weekends.
- I prefer not going to the movies tonight.
- She's depressed about not passing the test.
Verbs that are followed by to + infinitive form.
When want, learn and play are followed by another verb, it must be in the to + infinitive form.
- I want to speak to the manager.
- She's learning to play the piano.
- He offered to help us wash up.
Other verbs in this group include afford choose decide plan prepare agree expect hope promise refuse ask hope would like remember seem.
Verbs followed by the -ing form and by to + infinitive form.
- I like to sleep like + infinitive
- I like sleeping like + verb - ing
- I like to eat chocolate for breakfast.
(to talk about habits or choices)
- However, it's more common to use the - ing form with verbs: like, love, hate, don't like.
Like - Want - Would like
Want
Want means to wish, desire, need, demand and sometimes can be a little direct, or impolite.
- I want an apple juice. [Could be impolite, depending on the situation sounds selfish and arrogant.]
Would like
We use would like to say more politely what we want; verbs that follow would like are in the to + Infinitive form, for example:
- I would like to read that book.
- I’d like to drink a coffee.
(polite and friendly)
Grammar rules for would like
1. “I would like” is followed by an infinitive verb or a noun.
- “I would like to book a double room for Saturday.” (infinitive verb “to book”.)
- “I would like a single room for Saturday.” (noun “a single room”.)
2. Because “would” is a modal verb, it doesn’t change for he / she “third-person singular”.
I would like
You would like
He / she would like
3. There is no “s” on he / she / it.
4. You can abbreviate the “would” to ‘d:
I’d like -You’d like -He’d like - She’d like -We’d like -They’d like. 5. To form the negative, add “not” or the abbreviation “n’t” to “would”:
I would not like / I wouldn’t like 6. To form the question, change the subject-verb word order to verb-subject:
Would I like…?
Thanks!
WOULD LIKE VS LIKE
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Transcript
Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive
Do you know when to use -ing and when to use to + infinitive after a verb?
Look at these examples to see how the verb forms are used.
A verb can be followed by another verb. The second one usually needs to change into the -ing form or the to + infinitive form. Which form you need depends on what the first verb is.
Verbs followed by the -ing form
When enjoy, admit and mind are followed by another verb, it must be in the -ing form.
Other verbs in this group include avoid, can't help, consider, dislike, feel like, finish, give up, miss prefer, recommend, practise and suggest.
Like and love can be followed by the -ing form and the to + infinitive form. They are both correct.
After prepositions
I’m tired of waiting. Let’s go home.What was her reaction on hearing the news? He told the joke without laughing. They are afraid of losing the match.
The negative form of the gerund .
The negative form of the gerund is: not + -ing.
Verbs that are followed by to + infinitive form.
When want, learn and play are followed by another verb, it must be in the to + infinitive form.
Other verbs in this group include afford choose decide plan prepare agree expect hope promise refuse ask hope would like remember seem.
Verbs followed by the -ing form and by to + infinitive form.
- I like to sleep like + infinitive
- I like sleeping like + verb - ing
- I like to eat chocolate for breakfast.
(to talk about habits or choices)Like - Want - Would like
Want
Want means to wish, desire, need, demand and sometimes can be a little direct, or impolite.
Would like
We use would like to say more politely what we want; verbs that follow would like are in the to + Infinitive form, for example:
- I would like to read that book.
- I’d like to drink a coffee.
(polite and friendly)Grammar rules for would like
1. “I would like” is followed by an infinitive verb or a noun.
- “I would like to book a double room for Saturday.” (infinitive verb “to book”.)
- “I would like a single room for Saturday.” (noun “a single room”.)
2. Because “would” is a modal verb, it doesn’t change for he / she “third-person singular”. I would like You would like He / she would like3. There is no “s” on he / she / it. 4. You can abbreviate the “would” to ‘d: I’d like -You’d like -He’d like - She’d like -We’d like -They’d like. 5. To form the negative, add “not” or the abbreviation “n’t” to “would”: I would not like / I wouldn’t like 6. To form the question, change the subject-verb word order to verb-subject: Would I like…?
Thanks!