Some verbs are followed by the infinitive marker to and another verb in its base form:
decide to: We decided to go to the Bahamas for our vacation.
expect to: Mother expects you to come visit her next week.
forget to: Did you forget to turn off the water?
hope to: We hope to open a new restaurant by the end of next month.
learn to: Billy learned to ride a bike today.
need to: You need to do your homework.
offer to: Mark should have offered to pay for the window he broke.
plan to: John plans to attend Stanford University.
promise to: I promise to keep your secret.
refuse to: Mr. Brown refused to let his students go until they had memorized the Gettysburg Address.
want to: I want to ride a rollercoaster.
Some verbs are followed by another verb in the –ing form:
enjoy: Tom enjoys swimming.
finish: Have you finished cleaning your room yet?
mind: I don’t mind sleeping on the couch.
stop: Please stop bothering me.
suggest: The waiter suggested trying the grilled salmon.
Some verbs can be followed either by to + V (inf) or + V –ing:
begin: Jack picked up the book and began to read. // Jack picked up the book and began reading.
continue: If you continue to ignore your homework, you won’t do well in class. // If you continue ignoring your homework, you won’t do well in class.
hate: Mr. Williams hates to golf. // Mr. Williams hates golfing.
like: I like to walk in the rain. // I like walking in the rain.
love: I love to go to the county fair. // I love going to the county fair.
prefer: Sally prefers to vacation in Florida. // Sally prefers vacationing in Florida.
start: The wind started to blow hard as soon as we got off the bus. // The wind started blowing hard as soon as we got off the bus.
try: Jane tried to cook a turkey, but it turned out to be a disaster. // Jane tried cooking a turkey, but it turned out to be a disaster.
Some verbs, when used with would, are followed by the infinitive marker to and another verb in its base form:
would hate: I would hate to be in his shoes when his wife finds out about his secret.
would like: The doctor would like to see you now.
would love: We would love to visit you sometime.
would prefer: Mother would prefer to travel by train, I’m sure.
Exercise. Use the correct form of the verb: to… // –ing.
Example:
I want __________ home. (go) ==> I want to go home.
It has stopped __________. (rain) ==> It has stopped raining.
1. Jack decided __________ (move) to Texas.
2. Aunt Betty enjoys __________ (listen) to jazz music.
3. Our company expects __________ (have) strong sales in the second quarter.
4. We have to finish __________ (decorate) for the party before Shelia comes home.
5. My sister forgot __________ (put) a sandwich in my lunch box.
6. Father hopes __________ (have) the cottage built in time for summer vacation.
7. We’re learning __________ (bake) chocolate chip cookies.
8. I hope you don’t mind __________ (have) chicken for supper tonight.
9. We need __________ (buy) some milk and eggs.
10. Mother offered __________ (give) the boy a ride to the library.
11. I plan __________ (get) a part-time job.
12. Matt promised __________ (stop) smoking.
13. John refused __________ (take) “no” for an answer.
14. No matter what, I’ll never stop __________ (love) you.
15. Let me suggest __________ (clean) the living room before Mother and Father come home.
16. Ken wants __________ (get) a bike for his birthday.
Exercise. Complete the sentences with to…. // –ing. Use a verb from the list.
Example:
I would like (leave) now, please. ==> I would like to leave now, please.
Tim enjoys (play) the piano. ==> Tim enjoys playing the piano.
1. Jack began __________ (snore) as soon as his head hit the pillow.
2. After taking a rest, Mark continued __________ (mow) the lawn.
3. When did you and Martha decide __________ (move) to Albuquerque?
4. I would prefer __________ (have) a hotel room on the second floor.
5. I enjoy __________ (exercise) outdoors rather than indoors.
6. We expect __________ (complete) the project within the week.
7. Please wait for me – I haven’t finished __________ (pack) my bags yet.
8. The children would love __________ (do) some skiing on their vacation, I’m sure.
9. Don’t forget __________ (buy) some stamps for the Christmas cards.
10. Joan hates __________ (fold) the laundry.
11. I hope __________ (make) $3000 a month in commissions.
12. When a teacher sets and enforces homework deadlines, children learn __________ (manage) their time.
13. Uncle Bob likes __________ (sing) in the shower.
14. The baby loves __________ (ride) on the rocking horse.
15. The gentleman asked if we minded __________ (watch) his bags while he grabbed a bite to eat at the hot dog stand.
16. Peter needs __________ (get) a haircut.
17. Make sure there is enough gas in the car – I would hate __________ (think) of you walking all the way home.
18. Susan offered __________ (throw) a going-away party for Max.
19. We plan __________ (have) a big party for the holidays.
20. I prefer __________ (stay) up late rather than __________ (get) up early.
21. Father promised __________ (take) the twins to the zoo next Saturday.
22. Sally refused __________ (go) on a date with Herman after he treated her so poorly.
23. As soon as I turned the key, the car engine started __________ (make) a strange sound.
24. The reporter asked the politician if he had stopped __________ (beat) his wife yet.
25. Let me suggest __________ (go) to bed early if you want to get a head start on your trip tomorrow.
26. Debbie tried __________ (call) her brother, but he never answered the phone.
27. I want __________ (make) sure you understand completely what’s at stake here.
28. I would like __________ (propose) a toast to the bride and groom.
