VERBS AS COMPLEMENT

(Infinitive +Gerund)

►Verbs that are always followed by the infinitive

Some verbs can take another verb as the complement instead of a noun. Sometimes the verb
functioning as a complement must be in the infinitive (to+verb) and sometimes it must be in the
gerund (verb+ing) form. The following verbs are always followed by the infinitive if the
complement is a verb.

Agree attempt claim decide demand

Desire fail forget hesitate hope
Intend learn need offer plan
Prepare pretend refuse seem strive
Tend try want wish expect

Examples:

Timmy decided to postpone his plan.

V Inf.
John expect to begin studying law next semester.
V Inf.
Marry learned to swim when she was very young.
V Inf.

Notes: V = Verb
Inf. = Infinitive (to+verb)

► Verbs that are always followed by Gerund.

Other verbs must always be followed by the gerund. These verbs imclude:

Admit appreciate avoid can’t help consider

Delay deny enjoy finish mind
Miss postpone practice quit recall
Regret report resent resist resume
Risk suggest
Examples:
we regretted going to the party last night.
V Gr.
We enjoyed watching the television.
V Gr.
I quit reading comics since I was twelve years old.
V Gr.

Notes: V = Verb
Gr. = Gerund (verb+ing)

These sentences are made negative by adding the negative particle not before the infinitive or
gerund.

Examples:
Timmy decided not to postpone his plan.
V Inf.

we regretted not going to the party last night.

V Gr.

The following verbs can be followed by either the infinitive or the gerund with no change in
meaning.

Begin can’t stand continue dread hate

Like love prefer start

Examples:
It begins to rain. Or it begins raining.
V Inf. V Gr.

Joan hate to ride her bycicle to school. or Joan hate riding her bycicle to school.
V Inf. V Gr.
Fill in the blank by using the correct form of a verb (gerund or infinitive).

You shouldn’t risk ____________ that building in its present condition.

Entering

Enter

To enter

To entering

The president will attempt __________ inflation in the next four years.

To reduce

Reducing

Reduces

To reducing

Carlos hopes __________ his thesis this year.

To finish

Finishing

To finishing

Finish

The soldiers are preparing ___________ the village.

To attack

To attacking

Attact

Attacking

Would you mind __________ the window, please?

Opening

To open

To opening

Open

We discussed ____________ Colorado for our vacation. (visit)

I need _______ tonight. (study)

Jack promised __________ me this night (meet).

My friend has decided _____________ a new car (buy)

The Porter’s house is too small. They’re considering ___________ a bigger house. (buy)