Verbs can be followed by gerunds (verbs ending in -ing), infinitives (to + verb), or both with no change in meaning. There are no rules governing which verb form is used after each verb. Common verbs followed by gerunds include enjoy, dislike, and finish. Verbs often followed by infinitives include choose, decide, and refuse. Some verbs like forget, remember, stop, go on, and try can be followed by either a gerund or infinitive but with a change in meaning.

1. Verbs Followed by Gerunds
&
Verbs Followed by Infinitives
Peter Mangiaracina
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2. Explanation
It is often difficult to determine how verbs are
linked to other verbs. There are three choices:
•They can be followed by gerunds.
•They can be followed by infinitives.
•They can be followed by BOTH.
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3. Examples
Marta enjoys going to museums.
Anglea decided to stay home and watch TV.
Nieves loves to go (going) swimming.
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4. Unfortunately, there are no rules governing
which verb form is used after each verb.
This presentation lists common verbs and
what comes after.
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5. Followed by Gerunds
admit dislike give up miss
avoid enjoy have trouble put off
deny feel like keep (on) quit
discuss finish mind suggest
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6. Followed by Infinitives
agree fail offer promise
choose hope plan refuse
decide learn prepare seem
respect need pretend want
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7. Followed by Gerunds or Infinitives
with no change of meaning
attempt like
begin love
continue prefer
hate start
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8. Followed by Gerunds or Infinitives
with change of meaning
Forget + to not remember what you had to do
Forget + -ing not remember something you have done
Remember + to remember what you had to do
Remember + -ing remember something you have done
Stop + to pause in order to do something
Stop + -ing quit doing something
Go on + to change to something new
Go on + -ing continue doing
Try + to make an effort
Try + -ing do something to see what happens
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9. Change of Meaning Examples
I remembered/forgot to lock the door when I left the house.
I remember playing in the garden when I was a child.
I stopped on my way home to chat with a friend.
I stopped smoking ten years ago.
We talked about the economy for an hour, then we went on to talk about baseball.
We went on talking all night long.
I tried to fix my TV, but I couldn’t.
First, I tried unplugging it, and plugging it back in. Then I tried playing around with the
controls. Nothing worked.
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