Verb patterns: verb + infinitive or verb + -ing
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 a to-infinitive
Some verbs can be followed immediately by a to-infinitive:
afford, agree, arrange, ask , begin, choose, continue, decide, demand, fail, forget, hate, help, hope, intend, learn, like, love, manage, mean (=intend), need, offer, plan, prefer, pretend, promise, refuse, remember, start, try, want…
- I can’t afford to go on holiday.
- It began to rain.
- She hopes to go to university next year.
- My sister never learnt to swim.
Verbs followed by -ing
-ing but not to-infinitive
Some verbs are normally followed by the -ing form, not the to-infinitive:
admit, avoid, (can’t) help, (can’t) stand, consider, deny, dislike, enjoy, fancy, feel like, finish, give up, imagine, involve, keep (on), mind, miss, practise, put off, risk…
- I always enjoy cooking. Not:
I always enjoy to cook. - We haven’t finished eating yet. Not:
We haven’t finished to eat today.
Verbs followed by to infinitive or -ing (both) = small difference
Hate, like, love, prefer
Some verbs such as: hate, like, love or prefer can be followed either by -ing or a to-infinitive. The difference in meaning is often small. The ing- form emphasises the verb itsef. The to-infinitive puts the emphasis more on the preference, or the results of the action.
Compare:
I love cooking Italian food. (emphasis on the process itself and enjoyment of it)
I love to cook Italian food. (emphasis on the preference or habit)
Verbs followed by to infinitive or -ing (both) = big difference
Some verbs can be followed by a to-infinitive or the -ing form, but with a change in meaning:
go on, mean, need, regret, remember, stop, try, want…
Compare:
She stopped to smoke. (She was doing a different activity and stopped, so that she could smoke).
She stopped smoking. (She quitted smoking)
