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Verb Patterns (ing or infinitive)

In English, we will sometimes follow a verb with another action. Some verbs are followed by gerunds (-ing) and some are followed by the infinitive (to + V1). Some verbs can use both, but the meaning may or may not change.

 

Verbs + ing

Verbs + ing
admit (to)
avoid
be worth
can’t help

 
enjoy
fancy
feel like
finish


 
keep
mind
miss
picture


 
put off
recommend
suggest
understand
-
Examples:
She admitted to having taken his phone. 
I avoid using plastic bags.
I think it's worth asking. 
I can't help laughing at people when they fall over. 
I enjoy listening to pop music. 
I fancy going to the cinema tonight.
Do you feel like eating pizza for dinner?
I finished doing my homework at 7 pm. 
You should keep practising.
Would you mind opening the window?
He misses visiting his grandparents. 
Picture yourself lying on the beach, how do you feel?
You shouldn't put off finishing your homework. 
I recommend listening to songs in English to improve your vocabulary.
He suggested getting some vaccinations before the trip.  
I understand fishing quite well.  
 
-

Verbs + infinitive

Verbs + infinitive
+
-
?
agree
appear
ask
can/can’t afford
can/can’t wait
choose
decide
expect
hope
learn
manage
mean
need
offer
pretend
promise
refuse
struggle
threaten
turn out
Natural Pronunciation
ไอเยิล บึ ลิเสินนิง เทอะ มิวซิค
วีเยิล บี ดรายฟิงแงท ไฟฟ พีเยม
ชีเยิล บียีทิง เฮอ ลันชฺ
Examples:
He agreed to help us with the project. 
They appear to be busy today.
We asked to go on the trip.
I can't afford to fly to London. 
I can't wait to see the new Star Wars movie.
He chose to travel alone.
decided to see the movie on Thursday, not Friday. 
I expect to see you here tomorrow at 9 am. 
We hope to visit Australia next year. 
I learned to ride a bike when I was 4 years old. 
I managed to save some cake after the party. 
He didn't mean to make you angry. 
I need to go shopping after work. 
He offered to help them.
I pretended to not see my teacher at the shopping centre. 
I promised to go with you. 
He refused to let us into the party. 
I struggled to understand what she was saying. 
She threatened to leave him.
It turned out to be a great party. 
 

Verbs + ing/ infinitive (small/no change in meaning)

begin/start
can’t bear
can’t stand
continue

 
like
love
prefer
hate
Examples:
I began/started learning Spanish when I was 7.
I began/started to learn Spanish when I was 7.
 
I can't bear/stand seeing him like this. 
I can't bear/stand to see him like this.
 
I continued working after the power cut. 
I continued to work after the power cut.
He likes/loves/prefers/hates going to the beach.
He likes/loves/prefers/hates to go to the beach.

Verbs + ing/ infinitive (big change in meaning)

forget/remember
go on
quit
regret
stop
try​
Examples:
Remember/Don't forget to lock the door when you leave. 
(It's something you need remember to do).
I don't remember locking the door when I left. 
(You don't have the memory of doing something).
 
How many people go on to study at university?
(finished one stage and go to the next).
We can't go on living in this tiny apartment. 
(continue).
 
I quit to come here. 
(this shows the reason why I quit my job).
I quit drinking fizzy drinks.
(I don't drink fizzy drinks anymore).
 
I regret to inform you that your dog has died.
(I'm sorry to tell you now).
I regret moving away without saving money.
(I'm sorry about the action in the past).
 
I stopped to buy some food. 
(I was doing something then stopped so I could buy food)
I stopped walking,
(I was walking then stopped).
 
He tried to open the bottle.
(He attempted to open the bottle, but couldn't)
Try restarting your computer to fix the problem. 
(It's one of many options).
 

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