12 Questions
Which of the following verbs can be followed by an -ing form (gerund) but not by an infinitive?
avoid
Which of the following sentences is an example of a verb that can be followed by an infinitive but not by an -ing form?
She decided to study Law at university.
What is the difference in meaning between 'I stopped talking when I saw the beautiful view' and 'We stopped to check our route on the map'?
One means to cease an action and the other means to pause an action.
Which of the following verbs can be used in two different ways, as in 'I prefer reading/to read fictional novels'?
prefer
What is the difference in meaning between 'I tried to finish the book during my holiday' and 'Try reading a work of fiction instead'?
One means to attempt and the other means to experiment.
Which of the following verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or an -ing form, with no difference in meaning?
begin
What is the difference between verbs that can be followed by an -ing form and those that can be followed by an infinitive?
Some verbs can be followed by an -ing form (gerund), while others can be followed by an infinitive, and some can be followed by either with no difference in meaning, or with some difference in meaning.
Provide examples of verbs that can be followed by an -ing form but not by an infinitive.
Avoid, consider, dislike, enjoy, finish, practise, and suggest are examples of verbs that can be followed by an -ing form but not by an infinitive.
What do the verbs agree, ask, attempt, choose, decide, expect, forget, hope, manage, offer, prepare, promise, seem, and want have in common?
These verbs can be followed by an infinitive, but not by an -ing form.
How do the verbs begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, and start behave in terms of their grammatical construction?
These verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or an -ing form, with no difference in meaning.
What happens when verbs like forget, remember, stop, and try are used with an infinitive or an -ing form?
These verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or an -ing form, but there is some difference in meaning.
What is the significance of the verb 'prefer' in terms of its grammatical construction?
The verb 'prefer' can be used in two different ways, as in 'I prefer reading/to read fictional novels'.
Study Notes
Verbs Followed by Gerunds or Infinitives
- Some verbs can only be followed by an -ing form (gerund), including: avoid, consider, dislike, enjoy, finish, practise, and suggest.
- Examples: He enjoyed travelling, and travelled all over the world. Would you consider moving to another country?
- Some verbs can only be followed by an infinitive, including: agree, ask, attempt, choose, decide, expect, forget, hope, manage, offer, prepare, promise, seem, and want.
- Examples: I offered to help my father clean the car. She decided to study Law at university.
Verbs with No Difference in Meaning
- Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or an -ing form, with no difference in meaning, including: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, and start.
- Examples: My brother likes playing the guitar. I prefer to read historical novels. I love getting to know the characters.
Verbs with Difference in Meaning
- Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or an -ing form, but with a difference in meaning, including: forget, remember, stop, and try.
- Examples: She stopped talking when she saw the beautiful view (stop = interrupt). We stopped to check our route on the map (stop = pause). I remember playing in the park when I was younger (remember = recall). I must remember to return that book to the library (remember = not forget).
- Try can mean either "experiment" or "attempt", depending on the context: Try reading a work of fiction instead (try = experiment). I tried to finish the book during my holiday, but it was too long (try = attempt).
Note on the Verb "Prefer"
- The verb "prefer" can be used in two different ways: I prefer reading/to read fictional novels.
Test your knowledge of English grammar rules with this quiz on verbs that can be followed by gerunds or infinitives. Learn how to use verbs like enjoy, consider, and offer correctly in sentences. Improve your language skills and become a master of verb forms!
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