Guide: Using Two Verbs Together

In English, when we want to use two verbs together, we normally put the second verb in the infinitive form. However, not all verbs are followed by the infinitive form of the second verb. Some verbs are followed by the infinitive, some verbs are followed by the gerund, and some verbs are followed by the base form (the infinitive form without to).

Below is a guide for using two verbs together in English.

 

1. Verbs Followed by the Infinitive

Note that this chart is not a complete list.

infinitive	object + infinitive	optional object + infinitive
agree appear arrange care claim decide demand deserve fail get (be allowed to) hesitate hope intend learn manage offer plan* pretend refuse seem swear wait	advise** allow** cause convince encourage** force get (cause to) hire invite order permit** remind require** tell warn	ask choose expect need prepare promise threaten want wish would like

*”plan” can also be used as “plan on + gerund.”
**These verbs can also be followed by the gerund

Examples:

infinitive

They agreed to lower the price.
He appeared to be the most experienced member of the group.

object + infinitive

I advised him to take the job.
They invited Mike to go out for drinks after work.

optional object + infinitive

I asked to take the day off.  (no object)
I asked my boss to give me the day off. (object = my boss)

 

2. Verbs Followed by the Gerund

Note that this chart is not a complete list.

gerund	preposition + gerund
admit advise** allow** appreciate avoid can't help complete consider defend delay deny despise discuss dislike don't mind encourage** enjoy finish imagine involve keep mention mind miss permit** practice recommend report require** resist risk suggest tolerate understand	accuse of agree with apologize for believe in blame for complain about concentrate on congratulate someone on cope with decide against depend on dream about/of feel like get used to insist on look forward to plan on* prevent someone from rely on succeed in specialize in stop someone from talk about/of think about/of warn someone against worry about

*”plan on” can also be “plan + infinitive”
**These verbs can also be followed by an object and the infinitive
Note that the verbs in the second column of section 4 can be followed by an object and the gerund.

Examples:

gerund

I finished making all of my sales calls at around three o’clock this afternoon.
Kevin dislikes carrying his cell phone with him everywhere he goes.

preposition + gerund

He apologized for coming late.
This time they insisted on getting a better price.

 

 3. Verbs Followed by either the Infinitive or Gerund

Note that this is not a complete list.

infinitive or gerund (with no real change in meaning)	infinitive or gerund (with a change in meaning)
can't stand cease continue hate like love neglect prefer propose	begin forget keep need regret remember start stop try

Examples:

infinitive or gerund (with no real change in meaning)

I love to go to the beach.
I love going to the beach. (same meaning)

I can’t stand to work late at night.
I can’t stand working late at night. (same meaning)

infinitive or gerund (with a change in meaning)

For an explanation of how using the infinitive or gerund changes the meaning of the sentence, see this explanation from englishpage.com.

 

4. Verbs Followed by the Base Infinitive 

object + base infinitive	object + base infinitive or gerund
have help let make	feel hear listen to look at notice observe see smell watch

Note that when “have” is used to communicate obligation, it is followed by the infinitive (“I have to work tomorrow,” for example).

Examples:

object + base infinitive (the infinitive without to)

I had my secretary call my clients for me.  
I never let my children stay up late at night. 

object + base infinitive or gerund

I heard him complain.
I heard him complaining. 

I saw Chris leave the room.
I saw Chris leaving the room.