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Contents 1 General 2 Verbs + 'ing-form' 2 Verbs + 'to-infiniive' 3 Verbs + somebody + 'to-infiniive' 4 Verbs + 'ing-form' or 'to-infinitive'

General

It is very common to use strings of verbs - where two verbs are used in sequence. For example, the verb help is commonly used in this way:

• I help to go home.
• I help you to go home.

Only the first verb in the string is finite (has tense and subject-verb agreement). The second verb must be in a non-finite form, and this can be difficult for learners as there is more than one non-finite form of the verb which can be used. Commonly the form used is 'to + infinitive', as in the example above. However, there are some common verbs which require the 'ing-form' (present participle) form of the verb to be used in the second verb, instead of the base form. For example, the verb enjoy is commonly used in this way:

• She enjoys dancing.

There are also some verbs such as start which can be used in both patterns.

• He started to rain.
• He started raining.

Verbs + 'ing-form'

Some verbs are always followed by the 'ing-form', for example:

• consider
• like
• love
• adore
• enjoy
• prefer
• hate
• suggest
• finish
• can't stand
• don't mind
• avoid

Verbs + 'to-infiniive'

Some verbs are always followed by the 'to-infinitive', for example:

• help
• choose
• dare
• decide
• forget
• expect
• hope
• learn
• manage
• need
• offer
• seem
• want
• refuse
• promise
• agree
• would like
• would prefer
• would love
• would hate

Verbs + somebody + 'to-infiniive'

Some verbs '+ somebody' are always followed by the 'to-infinitive', for example:

• ask
• allow
• advise
• beg
• encourage
• expect
• help
• need
• invite
• order
• remind
• tell
• want
• permit
• would like
• would prefer
• would love
• would hate

Verbs + 'ing-form' or 'to-infinitive'

Some verbs can be used by either the 'ing-form' or 'to-infinitive'. There is not much difference in meaning, for example:

• begin
• start
• continue