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 let us use 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”)
Learn more: Helping verbs in English
