Verbs + Infinitive
Here are some common verbs in English that are followed by the infinitive:
- decide
She decided to study biology, not physics. - help
Can you help me to carry these boxes?
It’s very common to remove the word “to”:
Can you help me carry these boxes? - hope
We hope to hear from you soon.
I hope it doesn’t rain this weekend. - learn
She’s learning to swim.
It’s very common to add the word “how” if you are learning a new skill:
I’m learning how to cook. - need
I need to go to the supermarket. We don’t have any eggs. - offer
My friend offered to take me to the airport. - plan
We’re planning to have a big party when our son graduates from college. - pretend
He pretended to be sick so that he didn’t have to take the test. - promise
He promised to call me back as soon as possible. - try
I’m trying to read this book, but it’s too difficult. - want
I want to learn English so that I can study in the U.S. - would like
I’d like to travel to France someday.
Special Case #1: REMEMBER / FORGET
We use remember + infinitive and forget + infinitive to talk about the future, to give a reminder:
- Remember to bring your dictionary tomorrow!
- Don’t forget to pay the rent next week.
Verbs + -ING
Here are some common verbs in English that are followed by -ing.
- avoid
You should avoid eating after 10 PM. - enjoy
I enjoy skiing, surfing, and playing tennis. - finish
Have you finished reading the newspaper yet? - can’t stand
I can’t stand going to parties where I don’t know anyone. - don’t mind
I don’t mind working overtime. - look forward to
I look forward to seeing you next week. - practice
I need to practice speaking English more often. - spend (time)
My roommate spends hours watching TV. - stop
He stopped smoking ten years ago. - suggest
I suggest taking some time off.
Special Case #1: REMEMBER / FORGET
We use remember + -ing and forget + -ing to talk about the past, to talk about a memory:
- I remember having dinner with my grandparents every Sunday when I was a child.
- I’ll never forget eating lobster for the first time – it was delicious!
Special Case #2: START / LIKE / LOVE / HATE
Start, like, love, and hate can be used with the infinitive or -ing.
Both are correct!
- The baby started to cry.
= The baby started crying. - I like to run.
= I like running. - I hate doing laundry. (this form is probably more common)
= I hate to do laundry. - We love reading.
= We love to read.