To infinitive VS V_ing

These verbs are followed by v-ing not to:I enjoy dancing.. Thefollowing verbs can have the structure: verb + object + preposition + v-ing go on carry on We can’t go on living like this.

1 These verbs are followed by v-ing (not to):

I enjoy dancing (not ‘I enjoy to dance ’) Would you mind closing the door.

Ann suggested going to the cinema Have you ever considered going to live in another country? Suddenly everybody stopped talking I’ll do the shopping when I’ve finished cleaning the flat.

He tried to avoid answering my question I don’t fancy going out this evening

Note that the negative form: not + v-ing

When I’m on holiday, I enjoy not having to get up early.

2 The following verbs can have the structure: verb + preposition + v-ing

3 Thefollowing verbs can have the structure: verb + object + preposition + v-ing

go on (carry on) We can’t go on living like this.

put off Everybody put off discussing it till next week.

apologise for She apologised for not telling the truth.

succeed in Have you succeeded in fiding a job yet?

decide against We’ve decided against moving to London.

look forward to I’m looking forward to meeting her again.

verb + object + preposition + v-ing

stop from The police stopped everyone from leaving the building.

We asked how to get to the station.

Have you decided where to go for your holiday?

I don’t know whether to apply for the job or not.

Do you understand what to do?

VERB + TO + INFINITIVE

1 Structure: verb + to + infinitive :

It was late, so we decided to take a taxi home.

Tom was in a difficult situation, so I agreed to lend him

some money

He is going to learn to drive next month.

I waved to Mary but failed to attract her attention.

The thief refused to stop at the red light.

John expected to pass the exam.

We offered to leave.

They seem to have plenty of money.

I like George but I think he tends to talk so much.

Ann pretented not to see me as she passed me in the street The robbers threatened to kill all workers in the bank.

I swear not to tell you a lie.

They deserved to be sent to prison.

2 After dare / help you can use the infinitive with or without to:

I wouldn’t dare to tell him or I wouldn’t dare tell him.

But after daren’t (or dare not) you must use the infinitive without to:

I daren’t tell him what happened (without to) Can you help me to move this table or Can you help me move this table.

3 After the following verbs you can use a question word (what,where,how,whether… ) + to…

Ask decide know remember forget explain learn understand wonder

Also: show / tell / ask/ advise / teach somebody what / how / where to do something:

Can you show me how to answer this question?

Ann will tell you what to do.

He taught us what to know about the country.

4 After make and let we use : verb + object + infinitive (without to )

The customs officer made him to open his case.

My parents didn’t let me go out alone when I was a baby.

Hot weather makes me feel tired.

Let me carry your bag for you.

We ‘make somebody do…’, but the passive is ‘be made to do…’( infinitive with to )

He was made to open his case.

5 These verbs have two possible structures Compare:

Advise recommend encourage allow permit forbit

Verb + V-ing (without an object)

I wouldn’t recommend staying in that hotel.

She didn’t allow smoking in her house.

Passive:

Smoking isn’t allowed in her house.

Verb + object + to + infinitive

I wouldn’t recommend anybody to stay in that hotel.

object

She didn’t allow us to smoke in her house.

Passive:

We aren’t allowed to smoke in her house