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Infinitive or -ing
Verbs, adjectives and structures followed by the infinitive and the -ing form
| Verb | Pattern | e.g. |
|---|---|---|
| admit | admit + ing | The accused admitted being guilty as charged but added he had only disclosed the documents of the company so the shareholders learnt the truth about their financial situation. |
| appreciate | appreciate + ing | Despite not winning, the director appreciated being nominated for the award because it showed his work was well-liked. |
| avoid | avoid + ing | He avoided mentioning any names but he gave all the facts about what had happened. |
| can't help | can't help + ing | He couldn't help overhearing the conversation and that's how he found out how dangerous it all was. |
| celebrate | celebrate + ing | The students celebrated finishing their exams by going on a camping trip to the mountains. |
| consider | consider + ing | When finishing his degree, he considered working for an ONG but when that giant corporation showed him the figure that would be written on his paycheck, he went to work for them. |
| delay | delay + ing | The firm delayed launching the new product because the last tests showed the formula still needed some tweaking. |
| deny | deny + ing | The actor denied having drunk before coming to the set, but his breath betrayed him. |
| detest | detest + ing | Although Mafalda detests eating soup, many children actually like it. |
| discontinue | discontinue + ing | The CEO announced the company would discontinue financing the project due to lack of funds. |
| discuss | discuss + ing | They discussed moving to a new country where their project could have better chances of success. |
| endure | endure + ing | The first pilgrims endured living in an inhospitable land but eventually they adapted to the new environment. |
| feel like | feel like + ing | Susan didn't feel like going on an excursion last Sunday so we called it off. |
| imagine | imagine + ing | Imagine being president for a day, what would you do? |
| justify | justify + ing | The manager justified charging his journey to the Bahamas to the company on the grounds that he had met some prospective clients there. |
| keep (= continue) | keep + ing | Disregarding all medical advise, the famous sportswoman kept practicing karate despite the advanced state of her pregnancy. |
| mention | mention + ing | I recall they mentioned going to a theatre play last week: the name is the tip of my tongue but I cannot recollect it... |
| mind (= object to) | mind + ing | I wouldn't mind having to come here again next year: it's been a fantastic experience. |
| postpone | postpone + ing | They have postponed going to the mountain until the snow alert is over. |
| propose | propose + ing | When they proposed coming again for a second meeting, the principal quickly answered that it wouldn't be necessary. |
| recall | recall + ing | When she smelt the scent of the plants along the path, she recalled having taken a similar walk as a child. |
| recommend | recommend + ing | He recommended taking the underground to avoid the traffic. |
| report | report + ing | The policeman reported finding a suspect wandering around the shopping center in the middle of the night. |
| resent | resent + ing | The manager resented being less popular than his predecessor so he resigned. |
| risk | risk + ing | They risked coming to the meeting despite the dangers it entailed. |
| agree | agree + to infinitive | They have agreed to review the terms of the contract so it complies with the new regulations. |
| appear | appear + to-infinitive | It appears to be a very simple case, so I hope it'll be solved before the week ends. |
| arrange | arrange + to-infinitive | They arranged to meet in three months to see how everything was going. |
| ask | be asked + to-infinitive | She was asked to give a speech to inaugurate the exhibition but her busy schedule prevented her from accepting. |
| attempt | attempt + to-infinitive | Jane promised she would attempt to pitch the idea to the editor, but she doubted it would be accepted to be featured in the magazine. |
| choose | choose + to-infinitive | If they choose to come we will greet them with open arms. |
| consent | consent + to-infinitive | The union should never consent to sign the terms the company is offering: it would mean the ruin of many employees. |
| decide | decide + to-infinitive | Being now responsible for this project, I have decided to implement a new plan of action, as detailed in your folders. |
| deserve | deserve + to-infinitive | She's such a hard-working student that she deserved to pass the course: I hope her exam results are good. |
| expect | expect + to-infinitive | The crisis is expected to finish soon, but there are no real signs of recovery yet. |
| fail | fail + to-infinitive | They failed to do their duty and thus were accused of negligence. |
| grow | grow + to-infinitive | After twenty years, they had grown to love each other despite being in an arranged marriage. |
| hesitate | hesitate + to-infinitive | Air controllers must be wide awake while they are at work and they cannot hesitate to take the necessary actions or it will be disastrous. |
| hope | hope + to-infinitive | All the contestants hoped to be the next Master-chef so they cooked a dish to the best of their ability. |
| intend | intend + to-infinitive | He keeps saying he intends to study for his exam, but so far he has found every excuse available to do the opposite. |
| learn | learn + to-infinitive | When you have learnt to drive, give us a call and we'll interview you for the job. |
| manage | manage + to-infinitive | They managed to live on a small salary and their children were always well-cared for. |
| plan | plan + to-infinitive | She planned to break the journey in several legs with the idea of getting to know the area better. |
| pretend | pretend + to-infinitive | "I'm sorry but I can't pretend to like this when I don't. You'll have to search for another actress to do this publicity stunt." |
| promise | promise + to-infinitive | They promised to visit us again as soon as they have completed their course assignments. |
| refuse | refuse + to-infinitive | The workers refused to accept the new terms proposed by the CEO and expressed their disapproval going on strike. |
| seem | seem + to-infinitive | It seemed to be a good idea at the time, but competition is fierce and regrettably we have to close our little shop. |
| struggle | struggle + to-infinitive | They struggled to get outside their country hoping they'd find a better future for their children on the other side of the border. |
| swear | swear + to-infinitive | You shouldn't have sworn to do it if you didn't have the slightest intention of carrying it through. |
| volunteer | volunteer + to-infinitive | A lot of people volunteered to do the job, yet when the deadline arrived the project was still unfinished. |
| would like/ love/ hate... | would like/ love/ hate... | They'd love to come but unfortunately their job doesn't leave them much free time and they won't be able to make it. |
| yearn | yearn + to-infinitive | After two years of isolation to test that Mars experiment, they were yearning to go back home. |
| begin | begin + ing / to-infinitive | When the curtains opened, the choir began singing / to sing. |
| forget --> action that has been performed but is no longer recalled | forget + ing | In his old age, he forgot ever having written a book. |
| forget --> action that has NOT been performed because the subject did not remember it had to be done | forget + to-infinitive | He was so busy with his work that he forgot to pick up his suit from the dry-cleaner's so he went to the gala in jeans. |
| remember --> An action is performed and it is later recalled. | remember + ing | In his old age, he remembered travelling all around the globe and he would narrate his adventures to any passer-by willing to lend him a sympathetic ear. |
| remember --> the speaker remembers something needs to be done and then performs it. | remember + to-infinitive | You didn't remember to post the letters because you hadn't noted it down in your agenda. |
| Try --> giving a suggestion | try + ing | Try using milk: I've always heard it's an effective way to clean ink stains. |
| Try --> make an effort | Try + to-infinitive | I tried to study yesterday but I was too nervous thinking about our trip next week and I just couldn't focus on the exercises. |
| Stop --> finish completely | stop + ing | You should stop damaging your health with that annoying habit of yours. |
| Stop --> momentary pause to perform a different action | stop + to-infinitive | We should stop to have lunch and go for a walk: I'm sure our ideas will be better after a break. |
Created by:
eoiteacher
Popular English Verbs sets