Page 63 - English Vocabulary in Use (Pre & Intermediate)

23 Verbs + -ing form or infinitive

Verb + -ing form

Some verbs are followed by an -ing form if the next word is a verb:
enjoy finish imagine
(don’t) mind can’t stand (= hate) feel like (= want/desire infml)
give up (= stop doing something for the last time)
avoid (If you avoid something, you keep away from it; if you avoid someone, you stay away
from them. You do these things by intention.)
admit (If you admit something, you agree it is true, and usually it is something bad.)
deny (= the opposite of admit; in other words, you say something isn’t true)
Look at these sentences to help you with the meaning of the more difficult verbs.
I stayed in last night but I feel like going out this evening.
At the police station, he admitted stealing the woman’s money but denied hitting her.
Cigarettes are very expensive, so he’s decided to give up smoking.
I’ve lived in New Zealand all my life; | can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Some people can’t stand working at the weekend but I don’t mind. (= it’s not a problem)
I always try to avoid driving through the city centre during the rush hour.

Verb + infinitive
Some verbs are followed by an infinitive if the next word is a verb:
offer want seem decide hope forget
mean (= intend, plan) —_ expect (= think or believe something will happen)
manage (= be able to do something, even when it is difficult)
refuse (= say ‘no’ when someone asks you for something)
promise (= say you will definitely do something, or that something will definitely happen)
Look at these sentences to help you with the meaning of some of the verbs.
We were very busy but we managed to finish before 6 p.m.
It was getting late and there were no buses so I offered to take them home in my car.
He hit one of the boys but he didn’t mean to do it; I meant to go but I forgot.
I asked her to carry the suitcases but she refused to help.
I don’t expect to see them before next week.
They promised to phone as soon as they arrive.

Verb + infinitive without ‘to’
There are two common verbs followed by an object + infinitive without ‘to’. They are:
make someone do something, and let someone do something.
My parents make me do my homework every night. (= they force me to do my homework)
My parents let me go out after ’ve done my homework. (= they allow/permit me to go out)

Verb + -ing form or infinitive
Some verbs can be followed by an -ing form or infinitive, but the meaning is very similar,
e.g. love, like, hate, and prefer. But with some verbs there is a difference in meaning:
I remembered to buy a present for my brother. (= I didn’t forget to buy a present)
I remember buying her a present. (= it’s in my memory; it happened and I remember)

60 English Vocabulary in Use (pre-intermediate & intermediate)