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
proposebegin
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
makefeel
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.