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Verbs with -ing and to + Infinitive

This document discusses the use of -ing verbs and to+infinitive verbs after certain other verbs in English. It provides examples of verbs that take -ing verbs, such as "enjoy", "admit", and "mind". It also gives examples of verbs that take to+infinitive verbs, such as "want", "learn", and "offer". Readers are directed to exercises to test their understanding of these grammar rules. A commenter asks about using "help" with different verb forms, and the response clarifies that both "to help...wash up" and "to help...washing up" are correct.

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Holly Hepbourne
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263 views2 pages

Verbs with -ing and to + Infinitive

This document discusses the use of -ing verbs and to+infinitive verbs after certain other verbs in English. It provides examples of verbs that take -ing verbs, such as "enjoy", "admit", and "mind". It also gives examples of verbs that take to+infinitive verbs, such as "want", "learn", and "offer". Readers are directed to exercises to test their understanding of these grammar rules. A commenter asks about using "help" with different verb forms, and the response clarifies that both "to help...wash up" and "to help...washing up" are correct.

Uploaded by

Holly Hepbourne
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' +

infinitive 1

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.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Grammar test 1

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

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, practise and suggest.


Like and love can be followed by the -ing form and the to + infinitive form.

They are both correct.

Verbs followed by to + infinitive form

When want, learn and offer 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, agree, ask, choose, decide, expect,

hope, plan, prepare, promise, refuse and would like.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Grammar test 2

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Comments

Zub0v replied on 25 May, 2021 - 07:51 United Kingdom

Hello,

One question about sentences with the verb "help". The

example states:

"He offered to help us wash up"

Would it be also correct: "He offered to help us TO wash up" and

"He offered to help us "washing" up?

Many thanks

Kirk replied on 26 May, 2021 - 07:02 Spain

Hello Zub0v,

Both a bare infinitive ('wash up') and a full infinitive ('to

wash up') are correct after the verb 'help'. The bare

infinitive is the correct form in American English and both

forms are commonly used in British English.

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