PROBLEMS WITH VERBS

S V Comp. Adv.
We had planned to leave day before yesterday

The following verbs require an infinitive in the complement

*agree intend promise
Decide learn refuse
Expect plan Hope
Fail want need

Avoid using an –ing form after the verbs listed

 S V Comp. Adv.
He enjoys traveling by plane
She would appreciate hearing from you

II. The verbs below require an –ing form in the

complement
• admit deny quit
• appreciate enjoy regret
• avoid consider risk
• finish practice keep
III. Usually in English, after preposition preceded by
gerund or noun.(Preposition + ing)

Directing is the process of guiding and motivating

people in the organization to do the work

• Most of the verb phrase require noun or -ing form in the

complement, as verb phrases listed:
• Approve of keep on forget about/of
• Cant help insist on look forward to
• Count on think of/about accustomed to
• Do not mind object to

• We are accustomed to eating rice

IV. these verbs can be followed by both infinitive or –
ing form without changing the meaning of the
sentence.

begin like can’t stand

start love can’t bear
continue hate

The baby began to cry / crying

V. these verbs can be followed by both infinitive or
–ing form but it will change the meaning of the
sentence.

• forget
• remember
• stop
• try
(I tried to sing = I tried to sing but didn’t
succeed)
singing=I sampled the activity of singing
To sleep a few minutes longer wouldn’t hurt anything
(subject)

Carolyn expected to go to the Campus

(object/complement)

His job was to help the other employees (subject

complement)

Toni was eager to try the new car (adjective complement)