UNIT 17

-ing form or infinitive/ prefer, would rather, had better/ infinitives of purpose

* verb/ noun/ adjective phrase + -ing form

Some verb, noun and adjective phrases are usually followed by the –ing form.

I’ve finished writing my essay.

These include:

admit

delay

dislike

fancy

involve

miss

resist

appreciate deny

enjoy

feel like

keep (on)

postpone

risk

avoid

detest

escape

finish

mention

practice

suggest

Watch out: - Some of the verbs, nouns and adjectives in the list above can also be followed by

an object before the –ing form. (I can’t stand people cheating in exams)

- When we put a verb after a preposition, we almost always use an –ing form.

(I’m interested in hearing more about that course)

* verb/ noun/ adjective phase + full infinitive

Some verbs, noun and adjectives are usually followed by the full infinitive.

Your answer appears to be wrong

These include:

able

arrange

choose

would like

manage

prepare

seem fail

afford

ask

decide

happen

offer

pretend

tend

agree

attempt

encourage

help

plan

promise

want

appear

beg

expect

hope

pleased

refuse

wish

Watch out: - Some of the verbs, nouns and adjectives in the list above can also be followed by

an object before the full infinitive.

I didn’t want to take the exam.

My mum didn’t want me to take the exam.

* verb + bare infinitive

Some verbs can be followed by an object + the bare infinitive.

You never let me say the answer.

These include:

feel

hear

let

make

notice

see

watch

Watch out: - The verbs feel, hear, notice and watch can also be followed by the –ing form. We

often use the bare infinitive for a completed action (from start to finish). We often use the –ing

form for an action in progress at the time.

I heard Miss Jenkins tell Julie not to do that. (= I heard all of it)

I heard Miss Jenkins telling Julie not to do that. (= I heard part of it)

- In the passive, hear, make and see are followed by the full infinitive.

Active: The teacher made me stand in the corner.

Passive: I was made to stand in the corner.

* verb + full infinitive or –ing form with little or no change in meaning

Some verbs can be followed by the full infinitive or the –ing form with little or no change in

meaning.

We continue to do experiments in the lab all afternoon.