VERB CONNECTIONS

I got a good grade on my last exam.  get + object = obtain

Most of us usually get to classes on time.  get + to place = arrive

We got to pass Academic Two.  get + to V (Base Form) = achieve

My brother got my father to buy a car for him.  get + object to V (Base Form) = convince

Verbs followed by Infinitives.

Verb + (not) TO V (Base Form)

ask intend refuse

decide need seem
expect plan tend

E.g.: People tend to take a nap when they’re sad.

Ingrid is planning to get a job after finishing the English course.

Ale decided not to consume sugar because of my parents’ experience.

People who study English need to know verbs.

Verbs followed by Gerunds.

Verb + (not) Ving

apologize for consider keep put off take part in

appreciate enjoy object to suggest think of / about
complain about give up participate in

E.g.: Jairo appreciates playing the guitar.

Children usually object to eating vegetables.

 Caro gave up consuming sugar a year ago due to health problems.  specific case.

People usually give up consuming sugar when they’re diagnosed with diabetes.  general idea (Simple Present)

Esteban is thinking of giving up his job.

Verbs followed by Infinitives or Gerunds without changing meaning.

begin bother continue hate prefer start

E.g.: Alex’s mother hates doing the dishes. = Alex’s mother hates to do the dishes.

Ale started studying English in 2022. = Ale started to study English in 2022.

Gabriel prefers traveling to the beach to / before going camping.

Gabriel prefers to travel to the beach to / before go camping.

Verbs changing meanings.

forget mean Regret remember

Forget / Remember to V (Base Form)  (Not) to carry out something obligatory or needed.
 I forgot to bring my book.
 I didn’t remember to do the homework.

Forget / Remember Ving  Actions you did in the past. Memories.

 I will never forget living in Spain for 5 years.
 I will always remember living in Spain for 5 years.

E.g.: Paul always forgets to lock / locking his house door. His family is always scared of what can happen when they’re out.
Locking his house door is something necessary he doesn’t keep in mind.

Paul doesn’t remember to lock / locking his house door this morning, so he’ll return home to verify it.
Locking his house door is something past that he forgot if he did or not.

I don’t remember to meet / meeting you at Rita’s party. What was your name again?

I don’t remember to turn off / turning off my house lights when I leave in a hurry.
Mean to V (Base Form)  To have the intention to do something. / To intend to do something.
 Parents don’t mean to hurt their children’s feelings when they tell them off.
 I meant to call you yesterday, but I fell asleep.

Mean Ving  To imply / involve. Situations in the subject.

 A marriage means having a lot of patience.
 Studying a language means knowing that you’ll have to practice it every single day to learn it.

E.g.: Will didn’t mean to put down / putting down Gina when he made a joke on her.

To me, friendship means to know / knowing you can count on your beloved ones whether you’re usually in touch or not.

Regret Ving  To feel bad about something you did in past. Repent.
 I regret getting married.
 My brother regrets majoring in Math since he hasn’t been able to get a job.

Regret to V (Base Form)  “To be sorry to inform...”. To have to do something unpleasant.

 I regret to tell you that you’ll have a test on this unit on Monday.
 When Tom had the accident, the doctor regretted to inform his family he’d lost his memory.

E.g.: I regret to buy / buying that expensive dress. I’ve gained weight, never worn it, and it doesn’t fit me anymore.

Mr. Jones regretted to take / taking his son to the Police for robbery. He was devastated, but he knew it was necessary.

Adjectives followed by Infinitives.

Be + Adjective + TO V (Base Form)

amazed determined happy / glad lucky

ashamed eager hesitant ready

E.g.: Jennifer is determined to enter college this year.

Esteban is eager to find a new job.

Ale felt ashamed to fall on the street last week.

Prepositions after Adjectives.
* Verbs following ANY preposition are ALWAYS gerunds.

Be + Adjective + Preposition + Ving

bored with convinced of good at used to* worried about

* “Be used to” is the same as “Be accustomed to”. It’s NOT the verb “Used to”, which is exclusive to Past, for past habitual activities.

E.g.: Ingrid is good at playing the piano.

Melody is used to playing soccer on weekends.

Alex is worried about not getting a job before turning 25.