Verbs + -ing
Some verbs in English are followed by another verb in the -ing form.
The most common of these verbs are verbs of liking and
disliking: love, like, enjoy, don’t mind, don’t like, hate. If we
use another verb after these verbs, it often takes the -ing form.
I love going to the gym.
I like reading.
I enjoy travelling.
I don’t mind cooking.
I don’t like doing homework.
I hate getting up early.
The second verb is in the -ing form in the past too.
When I was a child I hated going to school. (NOT I hated went
to school.)
-ing spelling
You can check the spelling of the -ing form of the verbs in the table
below.
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Verbs + to + infinitive
Many verbs in English are followed by to + infinitive. Some of these
verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need, offer, plan, remember,
start, want and would like.
I forgot to turn off the light.
I hope to see you soon.
I‘m learning to drive.
We need to arrive early.
She offered to help us.
We are planning to go to France.
Remember to lock the door.
I want to go home.
I would like to buy a new computer.
The second verb takes the to + infinitive form in the past too.
I wanted to go home. (NOT I wanted to went home.)
would like
The verb would like (or ‘d like) is different from like. We
use would like + to + infinitive and we normally use like + -
ing verb to talk about general preference.
I‘d like to study English.
I like studying English.
The meaning is also different.
I‘d like to study English. (=I want to do it.)
I like studying English. (=I enjoy it.)
We use the question would you like… when we offer or suggest
something.
Would you like a cup of coffee?
Would you like to dance with me?
Exercise 1
Choose the correct infinitive or -ing forms.
1Pam loves ………….. letters.
a) Receivings
b) Receive
c) receiving
2She's planning …………….. on a trip to Paris.
a) to going
b) to go
c) going
3Would you like …………… a picnic?
a) Have
b) Having
c) to have
4My son never wants …………….. to bed.
a) to go
b) going
c) goes
5I don't mind ……………. the dishes.
a) to wash
b) washing
c) wash
6Sorry, I forgot ………………… you this afternoon.
a) Call
b) to call
c) calling
7Do you like ………………?
a) to driving
b) driving
c) drive
8Please, remember ……………….. me the information that I need.
a) to send
b) send
c) sending
9I'd like …………… you some questions.
a) Asking
b) Ask
c) to ask
10I learned …………….. the guitar when I was 6.
a) Played
b) to play
c) playing
1. Correct answer: receiving
➪ If we use another verb after some verbs like love, like, don’t
mind, don’t like, hate, it usually takes the -ing form.
2. Correct answer: to go
➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to + infinitive. Some of
these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need, offer, plan,
remember, start, want and would like.
3. Correct answer: to have
➪ We say would like + to + infinitive.
➪ We use the question would you like… when we offer or
suggest something.
4. Correct answer: to go
➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to + infinitive. Some of
these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need, offer, plan,
remember, start, want and would like.
5. Correct answer: washing
➪ If we use another verb after some verbs like love, like, don’t
mind, don’t like, hate, it usually takes the -ing form.
6. Correct answer: to call
➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to + infinitive. Some of
these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need, offer, plan,
remember, start, want and would like.
7. Correct answer: driving
➪ If we use another verb after some verbs like love, like, don’t
mind, don’t like, hate, it usually takes the -ing form.
8. Correct answer: to send
➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to + infinitive. Some of
these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need, offer,
plan, remember, start, want and would like.
9. Correct answer: to ask
➪ We say would like + to + infinitive.
➪ 'd like = would like
10. Correct answer: to play
➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to + infinitive. Some of
these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need, offer, plan,
remember, start, want and would like.
➪ The second verb takes the to + infinitive form in the past too.
Exercise 2
Choose the correct infinitive or -ing forms to complete these sentences.
1When I was a child, I hated ______ to school.
a.went
b.going
c.go
2I hope _____ a good lawyer.
a.find
b.to find
c.finding
3He's very unfit; he needs _____ more exercise.
a.to do
b.does
c.doing
4A: 'Would you like _____?' B: 'No, thanks. I don't like _____.'
a.dancing / dancing
b.dancing / to dance
c.to dance / dancing
5I don't like _____ early, but I need ______ it.
a.getting up / to do
b.to get up / doing
c.getting up / doing
6I don't mind _____, but we need the car today because it's late.
a.walk
b.to walk
c.walking
7When did you learn _____?
a.swam
b.to swim
c.swimming
8My car was at the mechanic and she offered _____ me home.
a.to drive
b.driving
c.drove
9My dog loves _____ with other dogs.
a.play
b.playing
c.plays
10He plans _____ in Boston next year.
a.to stay
b.staying
c.stays
1. Correct answer: B ➪ If we use another verb after some verbs
like love, like, don’t mind, don’t like, hate, it often takes the -
ing form.
2. Correct answer: B ➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to +
infinitive. Some of these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need,
offer, plan, remember, start, want and would like.
3. Correct answer: A ➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to +
infinitive. Some of these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need,
offer, plan, remember, start, want and would like.
4. Correct answer: C ➪ We say would like + to + infinitive.
➪ We use the question would you like… when we offer or
suggest something.
➪ If we use another verb after some verbs like love, like, don’t
mind, don’t like, hate, it often takes the -ing form.
5. Correct answer: A ➪ If we use another verb after some verbs
like love, like, don’t mind, don’t like, hate, it often takes the -
ing form.
➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to + infinitive. Some of
these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need, offer, plan,
remember, start, want and would like.
6. Correct answer: C ➪ If we use another verb after don’t mind, it
takes the -ing form.
7. Correct answer: B ➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to +
infinitive. Some of these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need,
offer, plan, remember, start, want and would like.
➪ The second verb takes the to + infinitive form in the past too.
8. Correct answer: A ➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to +
infinitive. Some of these verbs are: forget, hope, learn,
need, offer, plan, remember, start, want and would like.
➪ The second verb takes the to + infinitive form in the past too.
9. Correct answer: B ➪ If we use another verb after some verbs
like love, like, don’t mind, don’t like, hate, it usually takes
the -ing form.
10. Correct answer: A ➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to +
infinitive. Some of these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need,
offer, plan, remember, start, want and would like.
Exercise 3
Complete the sentences using the to + infinitive or the -ing forms of
the verbs in the list.
close cook do get up play(x2) see travel
watch water work
EXAMPLE: I’m planning ⇒ to travel to Egypt next year.
1.Please, turn on the TV. I want …………….. the football match.
2.I don't mind …………………… my English homework.
3.Did you remember ……………………….. the plants?
4.I don't like ………………….. in an office.
5.I hope ……………………. you soon.
6.The food is delicious. Where did you learn …………………. this dish?
7.I need ………………… very early tomorrow morning. I start work at 7
a.m.
8.I think I forgot ………………….. the windows.
9.Do you like ……………….. football?
10.We'd like ………………………… football this afternoon.
1. Correct answer: to watch
➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to + infinitive. Some of
these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need, offer, plan,
remember, start, want and would like.
2. Correct answer: doing
➪ If we use another verb after don’t mind, it takes the -ing form.
3. Correct answer: to water
➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to + infinitive. Some of
these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need, offer,
plan, remember, start, want and would like.
4. Correct answer: working
➪ If we use another verb after some verbs like love, like, don’t
mind, don’t like, hate, it usually takes the -ing form.
5. Correct answer: to see
➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to + infinitive. Some of
these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need, offer, plan,
remember, start, want and would like.
6. Correct answer: to cook
➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to + infinitive. Some of
these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need, offer, plan,
remember, start, want and would like.
7. Correct answer: to get up
➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to + infinitive. Some of
these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need, offer, plan,
remember, start, want and would like.
8. Correct answer: to close
➪ Many verbs in English are followed by to + infinitive. Some of
these verbs are: forget, hope, learn, need, offer, plan,
remember, start, want and would like.
9. Correct answer: playing
➪ If we use another verb after some verbs like love, like, don’t
mind, don’t like, hate, it usually takes the -ing form.
10. Correct answer: to play
➪ We say would like + to + infinitive.
➪ 'd like = would like.
