Many students get confused when there are two consecutive verbs in a sentence – what form does the second verb take? This lesson will show you five types of verb + verb combinations with example sentences.
If you want to practice more, try creating your own example sentence for each verb in the tables!
#1 – English Verbs + -ING Form
avoid
deny
finish
regret
be/get used to
dislike
imagine
risk
can’t help
don’t mind
look forward to
spend time
can’t stand
enjoy
practice
stop
consider
feel like
recommend
suggest
Example Sentences:
I avoid eating after 10 PM.
She considered studying Spanish, but chose to study French instead.
I don’t mind giving you a ride to the airport.
We look forward to hearing from you.
He regrets losing his temper at the meeting.
I recommend visiting Central Park.
#2 – English Verbs + Infinitive (with TO)
agree
expect
manage
pretend
threaten
attempt
fail
need
promise
try
claim
hesitate
offer
refuse
want
decide
hope
plan
seem
would like
deserve
learn
prepare
tend
Example Sentences:
He agreed to help me with my homework.
We decided to buy a new car.
I hope to speak English fluently someday.
You need to do more exercise.
They promised to call me back.
Bob refused to cooperate with the police.
#3 – English Verbs + Object + Infinitive (with TO)
advise
convince
inform
require
allow
encourage
instruct
teach
authorize
force
permit
tell
cause
get
persuade
urge
challenge
hire
remind
warn
Example Sentences:
I don’t allow my kids to watch violent movies.
The defect caused the machinery to malfunction.
My friend convinced me to get a tattoo.
He reminded her to take out the trash in the morning.
The boss requires all employees to arrive on time.
Jennifer told us to bring a jacket.
#4 – English Verbs + Infinitive (with TO) or -ING Form
begin
prefer
continue
remember*
hate*
start
like
try
love
Example Sentences:
The little girl started crying.
= The little girl started to cry.
I like reading.
= I like to read.
Use remember + infinitive to give a reminder, and remember + -ING to talk about a memory:
Remember to go to the bank after work.
(reminder)
I remember going to the beach every summer as a child.
(memory)
Use hate + -ING for something you hate always / in general, and hate + infinitive for something you are going to do (but you don’t want to):
I hate waiting in line.
(in general)
I hate to ask you for money yet again… but could you lend me $10?
(expressing regret for something you are going to do)
#5 – English Verbs + Object + Simple Form (without TO)
let
make
help
have
Example Sentences:
The teacher doesn’t letususe cell phones during class.
(not “let us to use”)
I made my son clean his room.
(not “made my son to clean”)
Could you help me carry these boxes?
(you could say “help me to carry,” but it’s not common)
The teacher had each student give a presentation.
(not “had each student to give”)
Shayna Oliveira is the founder of Espresso English, where you can improve your English fast - even if you don’t have much time to study. Millions of students are learning English from her clear, friendly, and practical lessons! Shayna is a CELTA-certified teacher with 10+ years of experience helping English learners become more fluent in her English courses.