Verb Patterns With Infinitive Verb + Infinitive or Verb + -Ing?

When learning English grammar, one of the key areas to focus on is verb patterns with infinitive . These refer to the specific forms a verb can take when it’s followed by another verb. In English, verbs often follow a predictable pattern, either taking an infinitive form (with “to”) or an -ing form. While these rules might seem straightforward at first, they can get tricky, especially when the same verb can follow both patterns, each with a slightly different meaning or context.

This article will explore verb + infinitive and verb + -ing patterns in detail, helping you understand the key differences, when to use each form, and the exceptions you need to be aware of.

What Are Infinitive and -ing Verb Patterns?

Before diving into the specifics, it’s helpful to understand the two basic patterns.

1. verb patterns with infinitive: This pattern involves the base form of a verb preceded by “to” (e.g., “to eat,” “to swim,” “to read”). Some verbs are followed by this form.

2. -ing Verb Pattern: In this pattern, the verb takes on the “-ing” ending (e.g., “eating,” “swimming,” “reading”). Certain verbs require this form after them.

The key challenge often lies in knowing which verb needs which form. Let’s break it down further to clarify these rules.

Verbs That Take the Infinitive Form

There are several common verbs that are directly followed by the infinitive form (the base verb preceded by “to”). Here’s a list of these verbs:

• agree
• decide
• hope
• intend
• learn
• need
• plan
• want

Examples:

• I hope to visit France next summer.
• He decided to leave the party early.
• They want to improve their skills.

These verbs typically express intention, desire, or a plan, making the infinitive form the logical choice for these contexts.

verb patterns with infinitive That Take the -ing Form

Next, there are verbs that require the -ing form. These often express actions that are ongoing, habitual, or emotional reactions. Here’s a list of verbs that typically follow the -ing form:

• admit
• enjoy
• avoid
• finish
• consider
• mind
• risk
• keep

Examples:

• I enjoy swimming in the ocean.
• She avoided answering the question.
• They risk going out in the storm.

These verbs convey states of being, actions in progress, or preferences, where the action itself is highlighted.

Verbs That Can Take Either Form: Infinitive or -ing

Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or an -ing form, but the meaning can change depending on which one you use. Here are a few examples:

• like
• love
• prefer
• hate

The main difference lies in emphasis. Let’s look at “like” as an example:

• I like swimming (This emphasizes the activity itself – the enjoyment of the action).
• I like to swim (This could imply a habitual action or preference – something I do regularly).

While the difference is subtle, it often highlights whether the focus is on the process (with the -ing form) or the general preference or habit (with the infinitive).

The verb patterns with infinitive and -ing Forms with Different Meanings

Some verbs change meaning depending on whether they are followed by the infinitive or -ing form. Here are a few examples to clarify how the meaning can shift:

1. Stop

   • Stop + -ing: To cease an action.
     • She stopped reading the book.
   • Stop + to-infinitive: To pause an activity in order to do something else.
     • She stopped to read the book.

2. Remember

   • Remember + -ing: Refers to recalling a past event.
     • I remember meeting him at the party.
   • Remember + to-infinitive: Refers to the action of not forgetting to do something in the future.
     • Remember to call me when you arrive.

Verbs Followed by a Direct Object and an Infinitive

Some verbs require a direct object before the infinitive. This means there will be a subject (the person or thing doing the action) and an object (the person or thing receiving the action), followed by an infinitive verb.

• ask
• advise
• help
• want

Examples:

• I asked him to help with the project.
• They advised me to see a doctor.
• We want them to join the meeting.

Verbs That Are Followed by an Infinitive without “To”

Some verbs, when in the active voice, are followed by an infinitive without the “to” part. These verbs include:

• let
• make
• help (both with “to” and without “to”)

Examples:

• Let me explain the situation to you.
• They made me wait for an hour.
• She helped me solve the problem.

 

Verbs That Can Be Followed by Either an Infinitive or -ing Form: Feel, See, Hear

A group of verbs related to senses and emotions can be followed by either the infinitive or -ing form, but the meaning changes.

• Feel

  • Feel + -ing: Describes an action in progress.
    • I felt her touching my arm.
  • Feel + infinitive: Refers to something you believe or understand.
    • I feel to be at home here.

• See

  • See + -ing: Emphasizes witnessing an ongoing event.
    • I saw him running down the street.
  • See + infinitive: Emphasizes witnessing an event in its entirety.
    • I saw him run down the street.

verb patterns with infinitive with “Would” and “Should”

When using verbs like like, love, prefer, and hate with “would” or “should”, the to-infinitive is always used. The -ing form is not an option in these cases. This is a strict rule in English.

Here are a few examples to demonstrate this pattern:

• Would like

  • I would like to go out for dinner tonight.
  • Not: I would like going out for dinner tonight.

• Would prefer

  • He would prefer to stay at home this weekend.
  • Not: He would prefer staying at home this weekend.

• Would love

  • They would love to visit Japan one day.
  • Not: They would love visiting Japan one day.

These patterns are used to express desires, wishes, or hypothetical preferences, where the focus is on future intentions or desires, making the infinitive form the only correct choice.

Infinitive or -ing: Which to Choose?

If you’ve encountered a verb with both infinitive and -ing forms, you might wonder how to choose between the two. Here’s a simplified guide to help you decide:

Use the Infinitive When:

1. Desire, intention, or preference is involved.

   • I want to learn Spanish.
   • She hopes to travel the world.

2. To express an action that happens in the future or is planned.

   • He plans to attend the meeting tomorrow.
   • They promised to help us with the project.

3. When using verbs like “help,” “advise,” “ask,” or “want” that require an object.

   • I asked her to bring the documents.
   • We need them to send the email.

4. With “would” or “should” followed by a verb.

   • I would love to visit Paris.
   • You should go to bed early tonight.

Use the -ing Form When:

1. Describing ongoing or habitual actions.

   • She enjoys playing the piano every day.
   • I love reading books before bed.

2. Talking about something you dislike or avoid.

   • He hates waiting for people.
   • I avoid eating too much sugar.

3. Expressing emotions, preferences, or states that are more general.

   • I love dancing.
   • He hates jogging in the morning.

4. After verbs like “admit,” “avoid,” “finish,” and “risk.”

   • I admitted stealing the cookies.
   • She avoided answering the difficult questions.

Important Exceptions to Remember

As with many English grammar rules, there are exceptions. Some verbs and phrases are followed by both infinitive and -ing forms but can carry different meanings, depending on the context.

1. Try

   • Try + infinitive: To make an attempt at something.
     • She tried to call me several times.
   • Try + -ing: To experiment or test something new.
     • Try turning off your phone and back on again.

2. Go on

   • Go on + -ing: To continue doing something.
     • They went on talking for hours.
   • Go on + to-infinitive: To move to the next action or stage.
     • After presenting the report, she went on to discuss the budget.

3. Regret

   • Regret + -ing: To express remorse about something you did in the past.
     • I regret not studying harder in school.
   • Regret + infinitive: To feel sorry about something you are about to do.
     • I regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful.

These subtle differences highlight how the choice between infinitive and -ing forms can dramatically change the meaning of a sentence.

Infinitive vs. -ing Forms: Additional Tips for Mastery

To really get the hang of verb patterns, it’s important to practice and pay attention to the context. Here are some additional tips for mastering infinitive and -ing verb patterns:

1. Use a List
   Creating a list of verbs that take the infinitive and -ing forms can be extremely helpful. This will serve as a reference while you practice or write, especially when you’re unsure which pattern to use.

2. Pay Attention to Meaning
   Often, the choice between the infinitive and -ing forms boils down to whether you’re focusing on the action itself or the overall result. The infinitive tends to focus on future actions or intentions, while the -ing form emphasizes the process or ongoing nature of the action.

3. Learn through Context
   Language is learned best through context. Whether you’re reading a book, watching a movie, or listening to a podcast, pay attention to the verb patterns used by native speakers. Seeing them in real-life situations will deepen your understanding.

Verb Patterns Summary

Understanding verb + infinitive and verb + -ing patterns is a crucial aspect of mastering English grammar. While some verbs have a clear, predictable pattern, others can change meaning depending on whether the infinitive or -ing form is used. By practicing these rules and paying attention to context, you’ll become more comfortable using the correct verb pattern.

Here’s a brief summary of the key takeaways:

• Infinitive is used for actions that are planned, desired, or express future intention.
• -ing is used to describe ongoing actions, preferences, or habits.
• Some verbs can take both forms but with a change in meaning (e.g., stop, try, go on).
• Learn specific verbs that require either one form or the other to avoid mistakes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with verb patterns with infinitive and -ing

Even though the rules for verb patterns in English can seem straightforward, many learners still make mistakes when choosing between the infinitive and -ing forms. Here are some common errors and how to avoid them.

1. Confusing Infinitive with -ing after Certain Verbs

One of the most frequent mistakes occurs when learners use the wrong form after certain verbs. For example, verbs like enjoy, admit, and avoid should always be followed by the -ing form, not the infinitive.

Incorrect:

• I enjoy to read books.
• She avoided to speak to him.

Correct:

• I enjoy reading books.
• She avoided speaking to him.

To avoid this mistake, remember that verbs such as enjoy, mind, admit, and risk always require the -ing form.

2. Forgetting the Object Before the Infinitive

Some verbs require an object before the infinitive, and it’s important not to skip the object when constructing a sentence. Verbs like ask, tell, and advise need to be followed by a direct object before the infinitive.

Incorrect:

• I asked to help him.
• She advised to go early.

Correct:

• I asked him to help me.
• She advised me to go early.

The key is that these verbs often involve a request, suggestion, or command, and the object must come before the infinitive.

3. Mixing up Infinitive and -ing After Certain Verbs

Some verbs can take both the infinitive and the -ing form, but the meaning changes depending on which one you use. This is where learners often get confused. For instance, try can mean making an effort (infinitive) or experimenting with something (–ing).

Incorrect:

• I tried to eating the new dish.
• She tried cooking to see if it was any good.

Correct:

• I tried eating the new dish.
• She tried to cook to see if it was any good.

4. Using the -ing Form Instead of the Infinitive After Modal Verbs

Modal verbs like can, should, must, and may are always followed by the infinitive without “to,” not the -ing form.

Incorrect:

• She can swimming very well.
• I should going to the store.

Correct:

• She can swim very well.
• I should go to the store.

Remember that after modal verbs, you must always use the base verb (infinitive without “to”).

Practice Makes Perfect: Exercises for Verb Patterns

To really master verb + infinitive and verb + -ing patterns, practice is essential. Here are a few exercises to help reinforce these rules.

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Form

Fill in the blanks with either the infinitive or -ing form of the verb.

1. I enjoy _______ (play) tennis on weekends.
2. He promised _______ (finish) the project by Friday.
3. She suggested _______ (go) to the museum instead.
4. I would like _______ (learn) a new language next year.
5. They hate _______ (wait) in long lines.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences Correctly

Correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

1. I like to play soccer in the evenings.
2. He tried to running faster but couldn’t catch up.
3. They avoided to talk about the problem.
4. She would love going to the concert next week.
5. We stopped for have lunch on the way home.

 

Exercise 3: Write Your Own Sentences

Using the verbs below, create sentences with the appropriate infinitive or -ing form.

• decide
• enjoy
• prefer
• suggest
• plan

Final Thoughts on verb patterns with infinitive

Mastering verb patterns is a key step toward achieving fluency in English. By understanding when to use the infinitive and when to use the -ing form, you’ll be able to communicate more clearly and naturally. While there are exceptions and nuances, following the basic rules will get you started on the right path.

Always remember:

• Infinitive = action you plan or want to do, or expressing future intention.
• -ing = describing ongoing actions, preferences, or habits.

As you continue to practice, you’ll begin to recognize the patterns that fit certain verbs, and soon, the process will feel second nature. Keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes – they’re part of the learning journey!