1. Grammar
  2. A1-A2 grammar
  3. Verbs followed by '-ing' or infinitive

Verbs followed by '-ing' or infinitive

Verbs followed by '-ing' or infinitive

Do you know when to use -ing and when to use to + infinitive after a verb? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

Look at these examples to see how the verb forms are used.

I enjoy learning languages.
I want to learn a new language.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Grammar test 1

Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive 1: Grammar test 1

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

A verb can be followed by another verb. The second one usually needs to change into the -ing form or the to + infinitive form. Which form you need depends on what the first verb is.

Verbs followed by the -ing form

When enjoy, admit and mind are followed by another verb, it must be in the -ing form.

I enjoy travelling.
He admitted stealing the necklace.
I don't mind waiting if you're busy.

Other verbs in this group include avoid, can't help, consider, dislike, feel like, finish, give up, miss, practise and suggest.

Like and love can be followed by the -ing form and the to + infinitive form. They are both correct.

Verbs followed by to + infinitive form

When want, learn and offer are followed by another verb, it must be in the to + infinitive form.

I want to speak to the manager.
She's learning to play the piano.
He offered to help us wash up.

Other verbs in this group include afford, agree, ask, choose, decide, expect, hope, plan, prepare, promise, refuse and would like.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Grammar test 2

Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive' 1: Grammar test 2

Try another grammar lesson
Average: 4 (201 votes)
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Submitted by Peter M. on Tue, 21/07/2020 - 08:13

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Hello tikah,

I'm afraid there's nothing in the verb itself which will tell you what form follows it. You simply need to memorise which verbs are followed by verb-ing, which by to+verb and which by the base form of the verb. Some verbs can be followed by more than one form, with changes in the meaning resulting.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Dilnoza Sulaymonova on Fri, 12/06/2020 - 11:59

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good luck

Submitted by Sophea on Mon, 01/06/2020 - 14:38

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Hi ! I want to learned more basic grammar .Coz I don’t know how to use properly grammars..

Submitted by Edson alberto on Mon, 27/04/2020 - 07:10

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hi , I want to learning more. thanks for all

Submitted by Heloisa Valare… on Fri, 24/04/2020 - 10:45

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How can I know if the verb isn't in this list if it must followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive? What would be the rule for the verbs help, work, reach, say, study, give, show, think, see, answer, find and apply?

Hello Heloisa

You can find more verbs like these on this and this page here on LearnEnglish, but any good dictionary will show this kind of information (follow the link to see an example).

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Razmohammad on Thu, 16/04/2020 - 21:26

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I want to learn possessive pronouns I don't have information about how and when we use possessive pronouns

Submitted by redream on Mon, 13/04/2020 - 07:16

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Hello dear, I am not sure it is suitable topic for the question... What is the difference between 'heating source' and 'heat source'.. Thank you in advance :)

Hello redream

I'd need to see the phrases in context to say anything for sure, but in general, I understand 'heat source' to be more general than 'heating source'. 'heating' refers to a system used to keep a space warm, whereas 'heat' is more general. Instead of referring to a home or office, for example, it could refer to an industrial process or many other situations.

Hope this helps.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team