Verb Complementation in English

In English, this is one of those tricky things that you just have to basically remember
that certain verbs are followed by certain verb forms or complemented by the
nouns/noun phrases. So you have certain verbs that are followed by to-infinitives.
Another bunch of verbs are followed by other verbs in -ing forms. A few verbs are
followed by bare infinitives. And at last some verbs could be followed by either with
the same or different meaning. So this is the whole area of grammar which is worth
exploring.

Verbs, Objects & Complements

(Advanced Grammar in Use 3d Edition by Martin Hewings; Units 28-31)
In terms of having objects and complements, verbs can be transitive or intransitive.
Direct object = a noun, noun phrase or pronoun that refers to a person or thing that is
directly affected by the action of a verb COMPARE indirect object
 She opens the window. (the verb open requires an object—open what?—to
complete its meaning; the noun window is the direct object of the verb open))
 I met him in town. (pronoun him is the direct object of the verb meet)

Indirect object = a noun, noun phrase or pronoun in a sentence, used after some
verbs, that refers to the person or thing that an action is done to or for (an indirect
object usually is a person/animal who “receives” a direct object):
 She gave the book to him./She gave him the book. (him is the indirect object
and book is the direct object)
Transitive (grammar) (of verbs) = used with a direct object OPPOSITE intransitive
 She wrote a letter. (the verb wrote is transitive and the word letter is the direct
object)
Intransitive (grammar) (of verbs) = used without a direct object
OPPOSITE transitive Origin: from late Latin intransitivus ‘not passing over’, from in-
‘not’ + transitivus (from transit- ‘gone across’, from transire ‘go across’).
 He died suddenly. (the verb die is intransitive)
Complement = 1) A complement is an adverbial or prepositional phrase which
completes the meaning of a verb. Some verbs just need a complement:
 The word originated in Latin. (‘The word originated’ would be incomplete).
2) a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and describes the subject (Linda is a
lawyer) or object (I found the food inedible).
_________________________________

A Some verbs can be either transitive or intransitive, allowing us to focus on either

the person or thing performing the action, or the person or thing affected by the
action. Compare:
 She closed the door. (transitive) and The door closed. (intransitive)
 I’ve ripped my shirt. (transitive) and My shirt has ripped. (intransitive)
Also: begin, bend, break, burn, change, decrease, increase, finish, drop, move,
open, shut, start, vary, wake (most are ‘change’ verbs)
B Some transitive verbs don’t need an object when the meaning is clear from the
context:
 I often sing (songs) in the shower.
 She plays (the saxophone) beautifully.
Also: answer, ask, change, cook, dance, drink, drive, eat, fail, park, phone, read,
smoke, study, wash, wash up, wave, win, write

C After some verbs we usually add a complement—a noun or adjective/noun phrase

or adjective phrase which are not the verb object—that is not something the verb acts
upon but completes the meaning of the verb, or completes/describes with more details
its subject/object. The complement may be an adjective, adverb or prepositional noun
phrase:
 The disease originated (where?) in Indonesia. (❌The disease originated. We
need to add something about where or how it originated; in Indonesia is the
complement of the verb originate.)
 She looked. (The verb look on its own can be intransitive. Here, She looked
does not require an object to complete the meaning.)
 She looked up/round/back. (The phrase verbs look up/round/back does not
require an object to complete the meaning. The verb look on its own can be
intransitive)
 She looked at him.
Other verbs usually have a complement /prepositional complement but may not.
Compare:
 He paused for a few moments. and He paused. (no complement needed)
How do we tell objects apart from complements? It could be difficult indeed. For
example,
 She saw him in the park. (him is the direct object of the verb see)
 She threw him a glance./She threw a glance to him. [(to) him is the indirect
object]
However, in the sentence "She glanced/looked at him," (at) him is the (prepositional)
complement required by the verb look/glance. Glance/look on its own has an
intransitive meaning:
 She looked/glanced up. (the verb does not require an object to complete its
meaning)
At him is not a direct object (since him cannot stand directly after look/glance → She
looked/glanced him looked/glanced at him.) At him on its own is a prepositional
phrase. In the sentence "She looked/glanced at him," it completes the meaning of
looked/glance (did she look where/at whom?). But it’s also not a free adjunct of place
обстоятельство места действия like in the park (which can be omitted without
changing core meaning), because look/glance + at/up/around/toward/over/about/in
our direction is an established prepositional verb. In English, some verbs must be
followed by a particular preposition to complete their meaning (look + preps, rely on,
depend on, listen to). So, in the sentence "She looked at him," the prepositional
phrase at him acts as a prepositional complement of the verb look.
📌 Sometimes, it’s not just about grammar rules directly, but about an intuitive grasp
of how a language works, something that linguists and teachers describe as
developing a language sense or language feeling, which refers to ability to just
feel what “sounds right” or “sounds wrong” without consciously thinking of rules, to
have the natural “ear” for collocations, idioms, rhythm, and stylistic appropriateness
and so on. A strong language feeling is what allows learners to sound natural, not just
correct. It comes mainly from rich exposure, practice, and noticing patterns, not only
from studying grammar rules.

D Some verbs are commonly followed by a particular preposition or prepositions

and then an object:
 We had to deal with hundreds of complaints. (❌We had to deal.)
 I’m sure that blue car belongs to Murad. (❌I’m sure that blue car belongs.)
With many transitive two-word verbs, the object can come before or after the
adverb:
 I want to try out the local food, or I want to try the local food out.
Also: adhere to, aspire to, culminate in/with, detract from, differentiate
between, incline to/towards, specialise in, recover from, look at, listen to,
marry to, belong to, be proud of, be good at, pay to sb for sth, depend on,
laugh at, comment on, concentrate on, be interested in, be excited about

E Some verbs are usually followed by an object + prepositional phrase complement:

 I always associate pizza with Italy. (❌I always associate pizza.)
 She put the report on the floor. (❌She put the report.)
Also: attribute … to, base … on / upon, equate … with, inflict … on, mistake …
for, regard … as / with, remind … of

F Some verbs are often followed by an object + adjective (or adjective phrase)
complement:
 The people of this country will hold the government responsible.
 Conti pronounced herself fit for the match.
Also: assume, believe, consider, declare, find, judge, prove, report, think. (The
object after declare, find, pronounce and prove is usually a reflexive pronoun.)
Sentences with an object + adjective complement after these verbs are usually rather
formal. Adding to be after the object or using a that-clause can make sentences less
formal:
 Dr Adams argues that house prices will fall, but other economists believe the
opposite true. (or less formally … believe the opposite to be true. or … believe
that the opposite is true.)
______________________________

Let’s juxtapose verb + object and verb + complement, because although they look
similar in structure, their functions are different.

📌 Key test:
 Object = “receiver of action.”

 Complement = “completer of meaning (renamer, describer).” A complement

doesn’t receive the action; it defines or characterizes either the subject or
the object.

Verb + Object

1. An object is the participant affected by the action of the verb.

2. It usually receives the action.
 3. Objects can be direct or indirect.
4. They are typically nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases.

 She kicked the ball. (the ball is a direct object; it receives the action "kicked")
 He gave me a book. (me is an indirect object, a book is a direct object)

📌 Key test: An object often answers “what?” or “whom?” after the verb.

 She kicked (what?) the ball

 He gave (whom?) me; He gave (what?) a book

Verb + Complement

 A complement is not something the verb acts upon, but something that
describes, identifies, or completes the meaning of the subject/object.

Subject complements: They complete the subject, usually after a linking verb
like be, seem, become, feel, appear, look, remain, sound, taste, turn, etc.:
∙ The sky is blue. (adjective blue; complement of the verb be; describes the
subject the sky)
∙ She seems very happy. (adjective phrase; complement of the verb seems;
describes the subject she)
∙ The soup tastes delicious. (delicious is a subject complement that
describes the subject)
∙ She is a teacher. (a teacher is a subject complement that renames the
subject)
∙ He became a famous singer. (noun phrase as the complement)
∙ The task looks impossible. (adjective as the complement)
∙ The cat is on the roof. (prepositional phrase as the complement)
∙ Her mind is in the clouds. (prepositional phrase as the complement)
∙ The party was at our house. (prepositional phrase as the complement)
∙ He gave me a book in the park. (the prepositional phrase in the park is not
a complement — it’s an adjunct (adverbial of place), because the verb give
already has all the complements it requires (me and a book). If you remove
in the park, the sentence remains grammatical and complete)
∙ Her favorite hobby is reading. (gerunds can appear as complements after
linking verbs—be, become, seem, look, sound, etc.—to rename or describe
the subject) (Cf.: Reading became her favorite hobby.)

∙ His job is managing the store. (the gerund phrase managing the store is
the complement of the verb be and acts like a noun/noun phrase, equating
with the subject)
∙ What looked like the most difficult part of the test was writing the essay.
(gerund phrase as the complement of the verb be, not an object)
∙ What I like most is swimming in the sea.
∙ The problem is getting everyone to agree.
∙ Her only wish was winning the championship.
 Object complements: They complete the meaning of an object after certain
verbs like call, make, elect, find, consider, appoint, choose, name, paint, keep,
leave, declare, etc. Object complements can be nouns/noun phrases,
adjectives/adjective phrases, infinitives/infinitive phrases, and participles/
participle phrases:
 Noun/Noun Phrase
∙ They elected him president. (president is an object complement that
renames the object him)
∙ The class chose Mary their leader.
∙ We considered the plan a success.
Adjective/Adjective Phrase
∙ I painted the wall red. (red is an object complement that describes the
object wall)
∙ The joke made him angry.
∙ She found the room empty.
∙ They left the door open.
Infinitive Phrase
∙ She wanted him to succeed.
∙ We believe them to be honest.
∙ He forced me to stay.
Participle Phrase/Clause*) (this is much rarer, but possible with verbs that
allow a “double construction” where the object is followed by something
describing or defining it):
∙ I saw her walking down the street.
∙ They kept us waiting.
∙ We found him sleeping.
∙ I caught him cheating.
∙ They left me waiting.
_____________________
*) Since both Present Participle and Gerund are the -ing verb forms and look alike, in
looser usage, people sometimes lump them together. However, strictly speaking, in
traditional grammar, these verb forms differ. The main distinction resides in the fact
that Gerund is a verbal noun (Reading is fun) while Present Participle is a verbal
adjective (I saw him reading). Also, in contrast to Gerund, Present Participle can be
part of continuous tenses (I was reading the letter, when she came in the room) or a
verb form used in a participle clause indicating a simultaneous action in progress
(Going back home, I popped in the grocery shop.)
_____________________
 Complements are typically nouns, pronouns, or adjectives.
 They occur after linking verbs (be, seem, become, remain, look, etc.), or after
some verbs of perception (see, hear, smell, feel, etc.) or causation such as
make (force/require), have (arrange for), get (persuade/cause to), let
(allow/permit), and help (assist)

_______________________________
👉 Grammar reminder
Verbs of causation, or causative verbs, show that a subject causes an action to happen, but
doesn't perform it themselves. Common examples include make (force/require), have (arrange
for), get (persuade/cause to), let (allow/permit), and help (assist). These verbs are followed by
an object and then another verb form (like a base verb or infinitive), depending on the specific
causative verb used.
 The teacher made the students finish their homework. (He forced them to do their
homework.)
 I'll have my car repaired tomorrow. (I’ll arrange for someone else to repair my car.)
 My parents won't let me go out tonight. (They won’t allow/permit me to go out tonight.)
 Can you get your brother to help with the dishes? (Can you persuade or cause him to
do it?)
 I can help you (to) move the furniture. (I can assist you in doing that.)
📌 Key Considerations
 Verb Forms: Be mindful of the verb form that follows the causative verb and its object.
For example, make, have, and let are followed by a base form of the verb, while get is
followed by the to-infinitive.

 Meaning: The same verb can have different meanings depending on the context, so
pay attention to the specific meaning you want to convey.
 Subject vs. Performer: The key distinction is that the subject of the sentence is
causing the action, but not necessarily performing it themselves.
________________________________________________

Verb + 2 Objects (DO & IO)

A Some verbs can be followed by 2 objects. Usually the 1st object—the indirect object
(IO)—is a person/group of people and the 2nd object—the direct object (DO)—is a
thing:
 Do sth for sb
 Give it to me./Gibe me the book.
 Can you bring me (IO) some milk (DO) from the shops?
 He made himself (IO) a cup of coffee. (DO).
Many verbs that can have 2 objects may also be used with a DO only (e.g. I read a
story). With many verbs that can have 2 objects, it is possible to reverse the order of
the objects if we put for or to before the IO (this is then called a prepositional object).
Compare:
 I built my daughter a doll’s house. And I built a doll’s house for my daughter.
 Can you pass me that bandage? And Can you pass that bandage to me?
Other verbs with for + object: book, buy, catch, choose, cook, fetch, find, get,
make, order, pour, save
Other verbs with to + object: award, give, hand, lend, offer, owe, show, teach,
tell, throw
We often use this pattern if we want to focus particular attention on the object after
for/to. We also use it if the IO is a lot longer than the DO:
 Jasmin taught music for/to a large number of children at the school. (not
Jasmin taught a large number of children at the school music.)
If the DO is a pronoun, a pattern with DO + preposition + IO is usual. Patterns
without a preposition are avoided because they are considered to be bad style:
 I gave them to John. (rather than I gave John them. / I gave them John.)
 We bought it for them. (rather than We bought them it. / We bought it them.)

B Some verbs can be used with either for or to. Often there is a difference in
meaning: to suggests that there is a transfer of something to someone, and for
suggests that someone benefits from something. Compare:
 I hadn’t got time to visit Mira, so I wrote a letter to her. And Mira had broken
her wrist, so I wrote a letter for her.

Also: bring, leave, pay, play, post, read, sell, send, sing, take
Sometimes, however, the meaning is very similar:
 He played the piece to (or for) me.
  Can you sing that song again to (or for) us?
⚠️Note that when object + object is used after these verbs, it usually has a similar
meaning to the verb with object + to + object. For example:
 I sold him the car. (✓I sold the car to him. ❌I sold the car for him.)

C Some verbs that are followed by 2 objects cannot have their IO as prepositional
objects objects (reversed with for/to):
 We all envied him his lifestyle. (❌We all envied his lifestyle for/to him.)
Also: allow, ask, cost, deny, forgive, guarantee, permit, refuse

D Some verbs can only have a second object if this is a prepositional object. Compare:
 with to
 ✓She told this joke to me. or ✓She told me this joke.
 ✓She said something to him. (❌She said him something.)
Also: admit, announce, demonstrate, describe, explain, introduce, mention,
point out, prove, report, say, suggest
 with for
 ✓I booked a room for her. or ✓I booked her a room.
 ✓He fixed the tap for me. (❌He fixed me the tap.)
Also: collect, fix, mend, repair
_______________________________________________
👉 A good dictionary will list the meanings of verbs and tell you whether each meaning
is intransitive, transitive and, if transitive, whether it is followed by 1 or by 2
objects. Many verbs can be followed by another verb in the form of a to-infinitive
(e.g. refuse to eat), -ing (e.g. avoid working), bare infinitive (e.g. help carry). Note
that when to comes after a verb it can be part of a to-infinitive:
 He wants to go.
 She hopes to win.
or it can be a preposition followed by a noun phrase:
 They went to the theatre.
or by a gerund:
 He admitted to having a gun. (gerund phrase)
An -ing form (gerund) often behaves like an object:
 I regret leaving.
 He regrets not taking the job offer.
 They regret (their decision) to move away.
 She regretted (the invitation) to the party. (= She politely declined it.)
_____________________________________________________________________

V1+ V-ing vs V1+ Infinitive (to-infinitive or bare

infinitive)
Look at the sentences below:
He suggests us doing it. The suspect denied committing the The boy admitted breaking the
crime. vase.
I suggest you to do it. I felt the ground shaking beneath my They promised to help us
feet. move it.
Can you help me cross the She watched the children playing in I enjoy reading mystery
road? the park. novels.
We agreed to meet at noon. She watched the children to play in We should avoid eating junk
the park. food.
The boy overheard her Keep practicing, and you'll improve She felt the mosquito bite
telling it. quickly. her.
She overheard him tell The teacher caught her cheating on They are considering buying a
the story. the test. new car.
We hope to visit Italy next Can you imagine living in another You need to practice speaking
year. place? English.
The rain stopped falling this The witness refused to answer the She finally finished writing her
night. question. thesis.
He offered to drive us to the He decided to keep on reading They agreed to take a taxi.
airport. despite the noise.
I saw him running down the We heard the neighbors arguing all Would you mind closing the
street. night. window?

Why is that some verbs are followed by the verbs in -ing form and others by the
infinitive?

Knowing when to use verbs in –ing form and infinitives is a very common problem for
people learning English. And when you're speaking English and you pause because
you're not sure what verb form to choose, it makes you feel inconfident and confused.

So, knowing when to use a gerund, or a present participle, or an infinitive, is going to

help you express yourself clearly and speak more accurately and reach a higher level
of English.

A Some verbs can be followed either by an object + present participle (hereinafter

p1)/noun (hereinafter n)/noun phrase (hereinafter NP) or a possessive + gerund
(hereinafter ger)/n/NP with a similar meaning, although the possessive + ger/n/NP
form is usually considered to be rather formal:
 I resented Tom winning the prize. (p1) or I resented Tom’s winning the prize.
(ger) (more formal)
 Mia recalled him buying the book. (p1) or Mia recalled his buying the book.
(ger) (more formal)
⚠️Note that we only use a possessive form (Tom’s, his) here to talk about people:
 I remember the horse’s horse winning the race.
 I remember the horse’s its winning the race.
Also: detest, (dis)approve of, (dis)like, hate, love, object to (= ‘(dis)liking’ verbs);
forget, imagine, remember, think of (= ‘thinking’ verbs)
💡 How we can tell Gerund from Present Participle
Since both ger and p1 are the -ing verb forms and look alike, in looser usage, people
sometimes lump them together. However, strictly speaking, in traditional grammar,
these verb forms differ. The main distinction resides in the fact that ger is a verbal
noun (Reading is fun) while p1 is a verbal adjective (I saw him reading). Also, in
contrast to ger, p1 can be a part of continuous tenses (I was reading the letter,
when she came in the room) or a verb form used in a p1 phrase/clause причастный/
деепричастный оборот indicating a simultaneous action in progress (Going back
home, I popped in the grocery shop.)
B Some verbs can be followed by to + ger/n/NP where to is a preposition.
💡 After any preposition, including phrasal verbs, use ger: Prepositions are always
followed by ger, not p1:

 confess (to) sth He confessed (to) the murder. (n)

 He confessed (to) that horrid murder. (NP)
 He confessed (to) stealing. (ger)
 confess to (doing) sth He confessed to committing the murder. (gerund
phrase/GP)
 I must confess to knowing nothing about golf. (GP)
 confess (that)… He confessed (that) he had stolen the money.
 confess to sb (that)… She confessed to me that she had known his true
identity for some time.
 object to sb/sth Members of the council strongly objected to plans to sell off
the land.
 You don’t object to the work, do you?
 object to doing sth You don’t object to working late tonight, do you?
 object to sb doing sth Who could object to people having fun?
 own up (to doing sth) I'm still waiting for someone to own up.
 I'm still waiting for someone to own up to the breaking my favorite vase.
 Tom had to own up to breaking the window.
 Why don’t you just own up?
 Why don’t you just own up to the blame and hope she forgives you?
Also: adapt, adjust, admit, look forward to, own up, resort

C Other verbs can be followed by different prepositions + ger:

by + ger (begin, close, end, finish (off/up), open, start (off/out))
 Can you begin by cleaning the floors, and then do the windows?
on + ger or on + object + ger (concentrate, count/rely, depend, focus, insist)
 Clare insisted on (Jack) wearing a suit to the party.
of + ger or of + object + ger (approve, hear, know, speak, talk, tell)
 Have you ever heard of (anyone) getting arrested for gossiping before?
object + from + ger (deter, discourage, keep, prevent, prohibit, stop)
 The noise prevented me from sleeping.
____________________________________

Rule of Thumb for Infinitive vs. Gerund After Verbs

Explained! When to use the GERUND or INFINITIVE (English Grammar Lesson)

Verbs followed by to-infinitive (the majority of the verbs)

We use the to-infinitive verb form when we are looking forward or describing a
goal/plan/objective:
 We plan to travel next summer. (You're talking about a plan and you're looking
forward to next summer.)
 She decided to apply for the job. (plan/intention)
 I want to learn Italian. (You're looking forward to doing it; it's a plan/intention)
  Remember to lock the door. (I'm looking forward into the future, and I'm telling
you, don't forget to do that. It's a plan/intention)
Verbs Usually Followed by to-infinitives (For full list see the file “Verb Complementation -
Verbs followed by INFINITIVE”)
 afford • agree • appear • arrange • attempt • beg • choose • consent •
decide • expect • fail • happen • hesitate • hope • intend • learn •
manage • mean • neglect • offer • prepare • pretend • promise • refuse •
swear • try • want • wish

Verbs followed by gerund/-ing forms (the minority of the verbs)

💡 In general, gerunds are used to describe general activities/events happened in the
past/experiences when we are looking back or describing the ongoing activity;
whereas infinitives — when we are looking into the future and describing a
goal/plan/objective.
We use the gerund after verbs that describe general activities or general experiences
when we are looking back or describing the ongoing activity:
 I enjoy (What? Which activity do you enjoy?) reading before going to bed.
 He avoided (What? Which activity did he avoid?) talking about the problem.
 We discussed (What? Which topic/activity/experience did you discuss?) moving
to a different city.
 She's considering (What? Which thing/activity/experience is she considering?)
changing careers.
Gerund focuses on the activity itself, not the specific intention or plan. You could
replace the gerund with a noun in any of those situations:
 I enjoyed reading/the books.
 He avoided talking (about the problem)/the conversation.
 You should carefully consider this long-term investment. Have you considered
what to do next/starting your own business?
 I remember (Which activity do you remember? Which experience are you
talking about?) locking the door.
Verbs Usually Followed by -ing Forms (For full list see the file “Verb Complementation -
Verbs followed by GERUND”)
 avoid • consider • delay • deny • enjoy • escape • finish • give up •
imagine • involve • mention • mind • miss • postpone • practise • resist
• risk • suggest
💡 When you're learning and practising this, just focus on the logic, and not so much
the grammar. If you're not sure whether you need an infinitive or a gerund, ask
yourself this question: “Am I talking about the activity or the goal/plan?” And that one
question will help you get it right most of the time.
Verbs That Don’t Change Meaning When Followed by Gerund & Infinitive
 advise • allow • begin • continue • dislike • encourage • enjoy • hate •
hear • like • listen • love • need (non-modal) • notice • permit • prefer •
propose • recommend • require • see • start • want • watch
💡 In contemporary English, the gerund sounds a bit more natural and fluent in a
normal conversation:
 He started playing/to play the piano when he was 8.
 She begun running/to run in the morning.
 They continued discussing/to discuss the issue.
  Our teachers encouraged additional reading/to read additionally.
💡 When the verb has an object which is an object pronoun (a personal pronoun in the
objective case), it is preferably followed by a to-infinitive:
 She could hear a dog barking. / She could hear it to bark.
 I advise talking to her./I advise my friend tolking to his girl. I advise you to talk
to her.
 They don’t permit parking there./They don’t permit us to park there.
 The doctor recommends exercising./The doctor recommends her to exercise.
💡 When the verbs are in passive they are always followed by a to-infinitive:
 We were allowed to go away.
💡 When the verbs mean to have a wish/desire of/for sth it is followed by a to-infinitive
and with a direct object often forming a complex object (CO) grammatical
construction:
 I want to go home. & I want her to go home. (CO with to-infinitive)
 I wish to speak to the manager. & I want/wish you to speak to the manager.
(CO with to-infinitive)
 They let her go. (CO with bare infinitive)
 I saw them playing in the park. (CO with p1)
💡 When the verbs mean to need sth it is followed by a noun/gerund for the active
voice:
 The car wants/requires/needs repairing.
 The plants are being drying. They just wish/want/require/need water/watering.
💡 When the verbs mean to need sth it is followed by a passive to-infinitive for the
passive voice:
 The car wants/requires/needs to be repaired.
Verbs That Change Meaning When Followed by Gerund & Infinitive (10)
 be afraid • be sorry • forget • go on • mean • need • regret • remember •
stop • try
Several verbs in English can be followed by either a gerund or a to-infinitive, with a
resulting change in meaning:

Verb Gerund To-Infinitive

Be Meaning “have fear to do sth” and Meaning “don’t want to do sth” and
afraid used with the preposition of: used without a preposition:
 I’m afraid of swimming in the river  I’m afraid to talk to him. (I have no
because it’s risky. desire to talk to him.)
Be sorry Expressing regret for a previous To express sympathy for a simultaneous
action: action:
 - I was just telling a very private  - My flight was cancelled. - I'm sorry
secret to myself. - Oh, I overheard to hear that. That's frustrating.
that. I'm sorry for hearing/having (Expressing sympathy to the
heard that. (Apologizing for the situation.)
action of listening.)
Forget Not recall a past memory or event: Fail to do a necessary task or duty:
 I can’t forget attaining victory in  I forgot to lock the door last night. (I
our first match. (I have a vivid left the door unlocked.)
memory of the event.)
Go on Continue the same action and used 🚨 Exception to the basic rule for phrasal
 Verb Gerund To-Infinitive
with or without the preposition on: verbs:
 The professor went on talking When it means “finish sth and
about the subject for over an hour. immediately move on to a
(He continued the activity of related/similar activity”:
talking without any break.)  She summarized her first point and
 We went on chatting the whole then went on to discuss her second.
evening. (She finished one thing and started a
 We used to go shopping weekly. new, different thing.)
 After ending her essay, she must go
on to write the letter.
Mean Involve or result in sth. (to have sth as Intend/plan/"be going to" to do sth:
a necessary consequence):  I meant to call you, but I forgot. (I
 Taking that promotion will mean wanted/intended to call you earlier.)
working longer hours. (The  Next summer, I mean to/gonna go
consequence of the promotion is abroad.
working longer hours.)
Need Sth requires being done (passive It is necessary for sb to do sth (active
meaning): meaning):
 The plants need watering. (The  I need to water the plants. (I have
plants need be watered. It doesn't the obligation of watering the
necessarily have to be me.) plants.)
Regret Feel sorry about sth done in the past: Be sorry to announce or inform sb of
 I regret leaving my old job; the bad news (often in formal contexts):
new one is terrible. (I am sorry  We regret to inform you that your
about the past action of leaving.) application was unsuccessful. (We
are sorry that we must tell you this
news now.)
Rememb Recalling a past memory or event: Reminding a duty or a task that needs
er  I remember seeing that movie to be done:
when I was a kid. (I have a past  Remember to buy milk on the way
memory of the event.) home. (Don't forget the task or duty.)
Stop Quitting completely an activity; end Pausing an action in order to do sth
the action: else:
 They stopped talking when the  She stopped to talk to a friend on
teacher entered the room. (She the street. (She paused what she was
quits completely the action of doing, e.g., walking, in order to talk.)
talking.) Temporaly breaking an action and then
resuming it:
 On her way home, she stopped to
buy some milk.
Try Experiment with a new method or Make an effort/attempt
approach to solve a problem: стараться/пытаться to do sth difficult:
 If you can't sleep, try drinking  She tried to open the stuck door.
warm milk. (She made an effort, but may or may
 Try putting more pepper instead of not have succeeded.)
salt.  I’ll try to play tennis better.

More examples:
 If you don’t stop gambling, you’ll end being broke. (activity)
  On the way home, I stopped to buy some food. (breaking one activity with
intention to do another)
 She stopped smoking. (activity)
 She stopped to smoke. (she posed another activuty with intention to smoke)
 Try pressing this button. (we focus on the activity)
 Try to press it harder. (intention)
 You should remember to buy some food on your way back home, will you?
 She remembered vividly her first buying food in this shop.
 He likes swimming. (Focuses on the activity/experience in general; this activity
makes him happy.)
 He likes to swim. (He enjoys the specific act when he does it. He would like to
do it.)
The following video provides an in-depth explanation of verbs that use gerunds and
infinitives with different meanings and verbs where the meaning does not change (or
there’s just a little change) in meaning:
Verbs with Gerund and Infinitive... but with DIFFERENT MEANINGS
Most Common Mistakes Related To The Gerund And Infinitive
1. I decided doing to do it alone. (With verbs that talk about plans or decisions or
intentions, we use the infinitive.)
2. We avoided to go going there. (We avoided the haunted house.) (We're talking
about the activity, the experience, going there. We could replace this with a
noun.)
3. He suggested me to arrive arriving early. (We're talking about an activity,
arriving early. We could replace that with a noun like He suggested this
restaurant.) (We also don't need me. It’s just excessive избыточно. We don't
need to say he suggested me, he suggested him, etc. It's always obvious in
context who you're talking about.)
__________________________________

D Verbs of perception
 V1 + O + V2/V2-ing
Some verbs—feel, hear, notice, observe, overhear, see, watch—they are called
verbs of perception or perceptual verbs [Verbs of perception describe how we
experience something through our senses — sight, hearing, touch, taste, or smell]—
can be followed by an object and then either by a bare infinitive if we want to show a
whole complete action—the structure is Infinitive Complex Object (ICO)/Objective
Infinitive Complex—or a present participle form (hereinafter p1) indicating a
simultaneous action in progress (part of the whole action)—the structure is Present
Participle Complex Object (p1CO)/Objective Present Participle Complex—but the
meanings may be slightly different. Compare:
 Bare infinitive → for the complete action: I saw him leave the house. (ICO) (I
saw the whole action)
 P1 → for the ongoing action: I saw him leaving the house. (p1CO) (I saw part
of the whole action)
 I saw them playing football from my window. (p1CO) (p1 shows part of the
whole action still in progress)
 I saw him smash the bottle. (= I saw that he had smashed it.) (ICO) (bare
infinitive indicates a completed action)
  I was able to watch them building the new car park from my office window.
(p1CO) (p1 suggests that I watched, but not from start to finish)
 I watched him climb through the window, and then I called the police. (ICO)
(bare infinitive suggests I watched the whole action from start to finish)
 I heard her sing a beautiful song. (ICO) (complete action: I heard the whole
action)
 I heard her singing a beautiful song. (p1CO) (ongoing action: I heard part of
the action)
 We felt the building shake. (ICO) (complete action)
 We felt the building shaking. (p1CO) (part of the action)

E After the verbs dare and help we can use either a bare infinitive or to-infinitive.
This involves the “language sense/feeling” and speech rhythm:
 I was angry with him, but I didn’t dare (to) say anything.
 We hope the Twitter campaign will help (to) raise awareness of the problem.
When dare has an object, we can only use a to-infinitive. Compare:
 I dared cross the river. - I dared him to cross the river. (❌I dared him cross
…)
 🚨 I helped them (to) pack.
After have, let and make we can use an object + bare infinitive but not to-infinitive:
 His exam results might make him work harder. (❌… might make him to work
…)
 I had Irena clean up her bedroom before I let her go out to play.

F After some verbs we need to include an object before a to-infinitive in active

sentences:
 The police warned everyone to stay inside with their windows closed. (❌The
police warned to stay …)
Also: advise, allow, ask, believe, cause, command, enable, encourage, entitle,
force, invite, order, persuade, remind, show, teach, tell
After other verbs, however, we can’t include an object before a to-infinitive:
 We’ve decided to leave early. (❌We’ve decided us to leave early.)
Also: aim, agree, consent, decide, decline, demand, fail, hesitate, hope, hurry,
manage, offer, plan, prepare, pretend, refuse, start, threaten, volunteer, want,
wish and others

G After some verbs we have to put a preposition—usually for—immediately

after the verb before an object + to-infinitive:
 They arranged for Rania to stay in London. (❌They arranged Rania to
stay …)
 They applied for the court appearance to be postponed.
Also: advertise, campaign, long, plan, wait (After apply and campaign, the
to-infinitive is usually passive.)
Other verbs can be followed by different prepositions + object + to-
infinitive. For example:
at + object + to-infinitive (go on [= to criticise continually], keep on [= to
talk about sth many times], scream, shout, yell)
 I shouted at the man to open the door.
on + object + to-infinitive (call [= to officially ask someone to do sth],
count, depend, prevail, rely)
 We’re depending on you to find a solution soon.
 The labourists called on the government to hold a vote.
 I feel called upon (= feel that I ought) to warn you that…
 I now call upon the chairman to address the meeting.
 I'm sure he could be prevailed upon to give a talk. (I'm sure she could
prevail upon him to give a talk.)

to + object + to-infinitive (appeal, gesture, motion, signal)

 He closed the door and signalled to the pilot to take off.

H A number of other to-infinitive and ger forms can also follow negative to-
infinitive and negative ger forms:
 We decided not to go to Paris after all. (compare The people didn’t decide to
go to war, it was their political leaders.)
 They demanded not to stay there.
 Some of my friends have considered not going to college because of the cost.
(compare I haven’t considered going to college – I don’t want to go on
studying after school.)
 I miss not listening to your stories anymore.
 Anyway, he feeled like not going to work that day.
verb + to have + past participle (hereinafter — p2) to show an action preceding
another action in the past:
 The accident seems to have happened at around 1 pm yesterday.
 The accident is thought to have happened at around 1 pm yesterday.
 Simmons is alleged to have assaulted a police officer.
This form is often used to give an opinion (after verbs like seem and appear) about a
past event, or
to report what is or was said (after passive verbs like is/was alleged, believed, said,
thought) about
past events.
verb + having + p2 to show an action preceding another action in the past:
The verb + ger and verb + having + p2 forms have a similar meaning:
 I now regret buying the car. and I now regret having bought the car.
This form is most often used with admit, deny, forget, recall, regret and
remember.
______________________________
👉 Grammar reminder
Here is a summary of common patterns together with examples of verbs that are
used in this pattern. Note that many verbs can be used in several different patterns,
and that some of the verbs given can be used just with an object, and may also be
used intransitively (e.g. He failed to stop, He failed the test, He failed).
 Patterns Verbs & Examples
verb + to-infinitive agree, aim, ask, decide, decline, demand, fail,
hesitate, hope, hurry, manage, offer, plan,
prepare, refuse, want, wish
They won’t agree to pay for the damage.
verb + -ing admit, avoid, consider, delay, deny, detest,
dread, envisage, finish, feel like, imagine, miss,
recall, resent, risk, suggest
Stevens admitted stealing the wallet.
verb + to-infinitive or -ing begin, cease, continue, start
(little difference in meaning) Before we began eating/to eat, my father thanked
everyone for coming.
verb + to-infinitive or -ing come, go on, mean, regret, remember, stop, try
(difference in meaning) She came hurrying up the path to bring us the
news.
How did you come to buy the car?
verb + object + to-infinitive allow, believe, cause, command, consider,
(= there must be an object) enable, encourage, entitle, force, invite, order,
persuade, show, teach, tell, warn
My parents wouldn’t allow me to go to the party.
verb + (object) + to- hate, help, like, love, need, prefer, want, wish
infinitive I would hate (her) to give the job up.
(= there may be an object)
verb + object + -ing catch, discover, feel, find, hear, leave, notice,
(= there must be an object) observe, overhear, see, spot
The police caught him driving without a licence.
verb + (object) + -ing detest, dislike, dread, envisage, hate, imagine,
(= there may be an object) like, love, mind (in questions and negatives),
miss, recall, regret, remember, resent, risk,
stand, start, stop
I can’t stand (him) wearing a suit.
verb + object + bare bite, hear, notice, observe, overhear, see,
infinitive or -ing watch
(sometimes a difference in She felt the mosquito bite/biting her.
meaning)

💡 Avoid "stacked" -ing words

It is often considered awkward or stylistically weak to use a gerund immediately
following a verb in the present participle form (both ending in -ing), for example, in all
continuous tenses. This is primarily due to a principle sometimes referred to
informally as the "double -ing" rule or the avoidance of "stacked" -ing words.
Here's a breakdown of the reasons:
1. Awkward Repetition/Sound: The main reason is simply the jarring sound and
rhythm created by having two "-ing" endings right next to each other. For
example:
o He is starting running to run every morning.

2. Clarity and Function:

 o The first -ing form is typically a present participle, acting as part of the
continuous tense (e.g., is starting, was feeling).
o The second -ing form is a gerund, acting as a noun (the object of the
main verb, e.g., running).
o While grammatically possible in some specific, isolated contexts, the
combination makes the sentence sound heavy and less natural in
Standard English. The overlap in form can confuse a reader about the
function of each word.
3. Alternative Structures Exist: English often provides a clearer and more
common alternative, usually using the to-infinitive for the second verb:
o Instead of I was considering buying a new car (Here, considering allows
grammatically the gerund buying as its object, but changing the first
verb avoids the double -ing) use I was planning to get a new car.
This consideration is not a strict, absolute grammatical rule and more about style,
natural flow, and common usage conventions in Standard English, where the "double -
ing" is widely avoided.
_____________________________________________________

Nonfinite Verb Forms: Infinitives vs. Gerundes vs. Participles

Nonfinite verb - Wikipedia
Вербоїди — Вікіпедія
Нефинитная форма глагола — Википедия
Безособові форми дієслова - Verbals - вступ до теми
Безособові форми дієслова - Infinitive VS Gerund
Безособові форми дієслова - Infinitive VS Gerund після begin, need, want, recommend, continue, etc.
Безособові форми дієслова - Infinitive VS Gerund після іменників, прикметників і прийменників

Nonfinite /ˌnɒnˈfaɪnaɪt/ verb forms are verb forms that do not show tense, person,
or number. They include:
1. Infinitives - They often function as nouns (I want to go) or the base form/bare
infinitive of a verb (I can go)
2. Participles (Present & Past Participle) - These can function as adjectives (She
loved her gone parents) or part of verb tenses (We are going to school; He has
gone)
3. Gerunds - These act as nouns but are derived from verbs (I like going)
📖 In English, when one verb is followed by another, the first verb (V1) controls the
form that the following verb (V2) takes—this is a core mechanism in E grammar called
verb complementation. That form might be:
1) bare infinitive/base verb (V1 + V2) (must do)
2) to-infinitive (V1 + to-V2) (expect to do)
3) gerund (V1 + V2-ing) (enjoy doing)
4) sometimes V1 + object (O) + V2 (let him do, have her do)

This is why we say V1 dictates the complementation pattern of V2.

This is a memorization-heavy area of English, since verb forms fall into different
grammar category depending on which form they "license":
1. I want/I'd like to swim here. (to-infinitive)
2. I can swim here. (bare infinitive)
3. I'm tired of swimming. (gerund/verbal noun)
 4. I love swimming here. (gerund/GP)
5. (While) Swimming in the swimming pool, be careful. (p1)
6. I go to the local swimming-pool every week-end. (p1 adjective)
7. I have swum 300 m today. (p2)
8. I took the swum distance with satisfaction. (p2 adjective)

V1 + Infinitive (to-V2 /V2) vs. V1 + Gerund (V2-ing)

V1 + Infinitive (to-V2 /V2) V1 + Gerund (V2-ing)
Express
goals/intentions/choices (to-V2) or facts/habits/functions, actions in progress/in
purpose/specific occasions/duties (V2): past/activity:
 She decided to take 5 Christmas  I like having coffee for breakfast.
resolutuons.  He admitted to committing the crime.
 He helped her carry the luggage.
Question (What question do they answer?)
What to do? They do/did what thing?
 She chose (what to do?) to read  She enjoys (what thing?) reading.
instead of watching TV.
Followed certain verbs (See respective lists)
afford, agree, appear, arrange, attempt, admit to, advise, avoid, begin, delay,
beg, choose, consent, decide, expect, discuss, escape, excuse, enjoy, forgive,
fail, happen, hesitate, hope, intend, imagine, keep, mention, postpone, prevent,
learn, manage, mean, neglect, offer, report, regret, stop/finish/quit, understand,
prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, waste, …
swear, try, want, wish  She admitted having driven the car
 We agreed to meet on Thursday. without insurance.
 Have you arranged to meet him?  He admitted to having stolen the car.
 We've decided to go away.  We advise buying your tickets well in
 They chose to ignore my advice. advance.
 They refuse to give up.  They strongly advise against going out
 He'll continue to work on this. on your own.
 We discussed buying a second car.
 Have I mentioned loving you recently?
Modals
After modals, use bare infinitive. Modals are never followed by gerunds.
Can/could, may/might, will/would,
shall/should, must, ought to, used to, 'd
better/best
 They must follow the rules.
 I used to live in country side.
 You should read a lot.
 You’d better go to bed.
Prepositions
Infinitives are never followed After prepositions (including phrase verbs),
prepositions (including phrase verbs) use gerunds. Accustomed to, get used to,
object to, get involved into, depend on, turn
into, speak about, keep on, be worth of…
  He didn’t answer for fear of hurting her.
 I couldn't speak for laughing.
 What d’you call the machine for slicing
bread? (a bread slicer)
 She put off reading the article until
later.
 She gave up trying to convince them.
 They look forward to going on vacation.
 They talked about moving abroad.
 Eventually, they’ve got involved into
smuggling boozes.
 The film is definitely worth seeing.*)

*) У випадках з worth необхідно відрізняти, коли worth іменник чи прикметник без

прийменника (тоді ми вживаємо після нього інфінитив), а коли з прийменником,
(вживаємо після нього герундій).

В цьому реченні worth - прикметник, а після прикметників та іменників здебільшого

вживаються інфінітиви. Але чому далі іде -ing, а не to-infinitive? Все тому, що woth +
-ing це ідіоматичний вислів, який дорівнює повній фразі be worth of sth, яка
етімологічно пов’язана з noun phrase a sth’s worth of sth, де worth вже іменник з
прийменником of, як, наприклад, в "a pound’s worth of change". А от після
прийменників завжди вживається герундій.

🚨 There are a few exceptions though: In the phrases be more than one's job's worth to do
sth and similar constructs like not worth the bother/trouble to do it, (not) worth one's
while/effrts/time to do sth the word worth is followed by to-infinitive because they are the
fixed idiomatic expressions:

 It's more than my job's worth to let you in without a ticket.

 The security guard muttered, "It's more than my job's worth to ignore that
unauthorized entrance, even if they look harmless." (Ignoring that unauthorized
entrance is not worth it.)
 It isn't worth my while to argue with him about politics.
 I'm not going to spend an hour on hold with customer service; it's simply not worth
my while to wait for a refund that small.
 The junior accountant hesitated. "Sir, it would be more than my job's worth to
authorize that payment without Mr. Smith's signature."
 I considered fixing the old laptop, but it's not worth the hussle/trouble to do it — a
new one costs almost the same as the repair.
 Driving across town for a tiny discount? Not worth the bother/hussle/trouble to do
it.
 He thought about arguing with the manager, then decided it wasn’t worth the
trouble to do it.
 You could repaint the whole room, but honestly, it's not worth the trouble to do it
unless you're planning a major renovation.
 Trying to convince her to change her mind isn’t worth the trouble to do it — she’s
already decided.
 I could take on that extra project, but it’s not worth my while to do it for such a
small bonus.
  Driving two hours for a ten-minute meeting? Not worth my while to do it.
 It’s not worth my time to do it unless there’s a clear benefit.
 I know they asked for help, but without proper compensation, it’s not worth our
time to do it.
 If they’re not going to cover travel expenses, it’s not worth my while to do it.

In these specific, idiomatic comparisons, the to-infinitive is required to specify the action
whose negative consequence is being weighed against the value of the possessive noun
phrase (like "my job's worth" or "my while").

Other grammar categories/structures

Followed nouns/NPs: Followed nouns/NPs or adjectives that are
 I have some work (that I have) to do. part of fixed phrases and collocations (it’s
Followed the adjectives showing (not) worth (of); it’s no use/point (in);
emotions (upset, glad, happy, excited, (there’s) no point (in); it’s no good (in); be
outraged, …): busy (with); have trouble; have a hard time
 - (It’s) Nice/good to see you. - Same (of); in addition to; be slow/fast/quick
here. (prescriptive) (at/in)...). All these phrases can optionally
 He was upset to tell them the news. have prepositions:
Followed too/enough + adjectives:  Nice working with you, mate.
 He’s too old to drive. (descriptive grammar)
 He’s too stupid to invent this.  I have difficulty (in) solving this
 He’s old enough to drive. equations.
After be + the first/second/…; the  What’s the use/point (of) doing it?
next/last; the best/worst:  There's no point trying to shy away
 She was the first to speak to me. from it.
 I’m the last to leave.  It’s no good (in) arguing with him. (noun
 He was the best to play this game. good; article no)
 I’m busy (with) tyding my room.
 You can even do it in addition to taking
medication.
 In spite of tempting once in a while, it's
not worth playing hooky.
 Without trust, there is no point of being
in a relationship.
 There is no point in looking back and
demeaning yourself.
Followed either to-V2 or V2-ing
1. Change the meaning: get, forget, prefer, go on, (dis)like, love/hate, mean, regret,
remember, be sorry, start, stop, try, want, advise
 He forgot to pay the bill/invoice. (He forgot that he needed to pay that invoice.)
 He forgot paying the bill. (He forgot that he had already payed this bill so he ended
up paying it twice.)
2. Do not change the meaning: advise, allow, begin, continue, encourage, need, permit,
recommend, require, want
+ often Complex Object with to-V2 + V2-ing
 They recommend you to go to colledge. • They recommend
going to colledge. (no object)
 I need to see her. • The shirt needs washing.

👉 Verb Complementation Grammar Reminder

1. V1 + to-V2 (100+ verbs)
Many verbs are followed by the to-infinitive.
 I want to go home.
 She decided to study medicine.
 We hope to see you soon.
 They refused to leave.
 I tried not to laugh.

Here, V1 (want, decide, hope) requires V2 to appear in the to-infinitive form. A

complete list of the verbs (100+) that demand to be followed by a to-infinitive can be
found in the separate file “Verbs usually followed by to-infinitives.”

2. V1 + V2-ing (60+ verbs)

Other verbs are followed by a gerund.
 I enjoy reading novels.
 She avoids driving at night.
 They suggest going together.

Here, the verbs like enjoy, avoid, suggest require the -ing form. A complete list of the
verbs (about 60+) that demand to be followed by a gerund can be found in the
separate file “Verbs Followed by Gerund.”

3. V1 + V2
Certain verbs take the bare infinitive:
 We let him go early.
 She can dance all day long.
 They made me cry.
 You should stay here.

With modal verbs (can, may, should, must, will, etc.), the following verb always is a
bare infinitive:
 I must leave now.
 She can swim well.

4-1. V1 + either to-V2 or V2-ing (with change in the meaning)

(16 verbs)
There are few verbs that change their meaning depending on whether they are
followed by a to-V2 or a V2-ing:
 get, stop, start, remember, forget, try, like/love, dislike/hate, prefer, regret, be
sorry, go on, mean, want
GET + V2-ing = to start doing sth:
 I got talking to her. (= I started talking to her.)
 Let's get going. (We ought to go; it's getting late.)
GET + to-V2
1) get [intransitive] + to-V2 = to reach the point at which you feel, know, are, etc.
sth
 After a time, you get to realize that these things don't matter.
  You'll like her once you get to know her. Ты полюбишь ее, когда узнаешь ее
(получше/поближе).
 His drinking is getting to be a problem.
 She's getting to be an old lady now.
2) get + to-V2 (informal) = to have the opportunity to do sth:
 He got to try out all the new software. (He had the chance to do it.) Он
опробовал все новые программы.
 It's not fair—I never get to go first. Это несправедливо — мне никогда не
дают попробовать первым.
STOP
+ to-V2 = to interrupt an activity in order to do sth else:
 We stopped to use the toilet. (= We interrupted our car trip to use a toilet.)
 He stopped to smoke. (= He paused another activity in order to smoke.)
+ V2-ing = to indicate that an action or event is no longer continuing
 I stopped using the toilet (at all). (Maybe he/she has moved to the wildness or
sth.)
 He stopped smoking. (= He quitted smoking)

START
Usually, there is no real change in meaning:
 She started crying/to cry. (= same)
But: the -ing form is often more common in continuous/habitual situations, while the
to-infinitive can sound more deliberate.
 It started raining. (natural, ongoing process)
 She started to sing. (slightly more deliberate beginning)
REMEMBER
+ to-V2 = to remember that you have/need to do sth
 I remembered to turn off the light.
+ V2-ing = to remember that you have done sth
 I remember visiting the lake a child.
FORGET
+ to-V2 = to forget that you need to do sth
 He forgot to pay the bill/invoice. (He forgot that he needed to pay the bill.)
+ V2-ing = to forget that you have done sth (you really did it, but you completely
forgot about it.)
 He forgot paying the bill. (He forgot that he had already payed this bill so he
ended up paying it twice.)
🚨 You cannot use forget if you want to mention the place where you have left
something:
 I’ve forgotten left my book at home.

TRY
+ to-V2 = to attempt to do sth but not succeed in actually doing it
 We tried to wake him up.
+ V2-ing = to experiment with different methods to see if sth works; to use, do or test
sth in order to see if it is good, suitable, etc.
 We tried playing music. We tried shaking him. Everything we did was in vain.
PREFER
+ V2-ing (general preference)
 I prefer reading to watching TV. (= in general)
+ to-V2 (particular preference or choice)
 I’d prefer to stay home tonight. (= specific situation, right now)
REGRET
+ V2-ing (feeling sorry about the past)
 I regret telling him the truth. (= I did it, and now I feel sorry)
+ to-V2 (used for announcements, formal apologies)
 We regret to inform you that your flight has been cancelled. (= polite, formal,
about what we are about to do/say)
BE SORRY
+ V2-ing (apologizing for the past)
 I’m sorry for being late. (= I was late, and I apologize)
+ to-V2 (apologizing for what you’re about to do, or expressing sympathy)
 I’m sorry to tell you this, but you failed the test. (= I regret having to do it now)
GO ON
+ V2-ing (continue the same action)
 He went on working for his father's lawfirm even after his father's death.
 He went on talking for hours. (= continued the same activity)
+ to-V2 (move to the next action) почати робити щось нове (після закінчення
чогось попереднього)
 After getting a degree, he went on to work for his his dad's lawfirm.
 He went on to explain the results. (= after finishing one thing, he did another)
MEAN
+ V2-ing (involve, entail) (“=”)
 Becoming a citizen means living here permanently.
 Being a doctor means working long hours. (= involves)
+ to-V2 (intend) мати намір щось зробити
 I meant to call you yesterday. (= I intended to)
WANT
+ V2-ing (passive meaning)
 This room wants cleaning. (= This room needs to be cleaned)
+ to-V2 (desire)
 I want to leave now. (= I wish to do this)
LOVE / LIKE / DISLIKE / HATE
+ V2-ing (general enjoyment or preference)
Refers to liking or disliking something in general or as a habit.
 I like swimming. (= I enjoy it as an activity in general)
 She hates cooking. (= in general, she doesn’t enjoy it)
+ to-V2 (specific/occasional action, choice/duty)
Refers to a specific occasion or stresses a choice.
 I like to swim in the morning. (= I choose that time, it suits me) (Focuses on the
action or habit of doing it. I enjoy the specific act when I do it.)
 I hate to bother you, but I need help. (= specific action, with politeness)
👉 Notice that these "feeling verbs" like/love/dislike/hate have the same patterns in
terms of using them as state or action verbs:
 My dog likes/loves to eat all sorts of treats вкусняшки./to be treated with
things that you can afford to buy for her.)
  - Do you like it? - I’m loving it! (to emphasize you like it here and now, at this
precise moment.)
These verbs also have the same patterns in terms of demanding the proper form of V 2
with such little nuances in the meaning that one can just ignore them:
 like/love doing sth = like/love to do sth
Like/love/dislike/hate are mostly used as transitive, no passive verbs and express the
preference to do sth or preferring sth to be made or to happen in a particular way:
 I like/’d like to swim (= I prefer to do it, maybe as a habit).
 I like swimming (= I enjoy it at the moment).
 At summer time, I hate to sleep/sleeping late. (= I dislike sleeping late.)
 I didn't like to disturb/disturbing you.
 They dislike having/to have people to stay.
 I like working/to work with children.
Be aware of using like/love + to-V2/V2-ing according to whether the clauses have the
same 1 subject or 2 different subjects:
 1 subject: We'd like coming and visiting you.
 2 subjects: We'd like you to come and visit us.
 I didn't like to take/taking all the credit. (1 subject)
 I didn't like his taking all the credit. (complement)
 I didn't like/want him taking/to take all the credit. (complex object)

There are fixed phrases with like + to-V2:

 I'd like to think it over. I like to think I'm broad-minded. I’d like to think that
you were helping me because you wanted to, not because you felt you had to.
 I would like to thank you all for coming tonight.
 Would you like to come with us?
 We would like to apologize for the delay.
 Would you like to see the rest of the house?
 I like to see them enjoying themselves.
 How can they afford it? That's what I'd like to know.

4-2. V1 + either to-V2 or V2-ing (with no change in the

meaning) (23)
Безособові форми дієслова - Infinitive VS Gerund після begin, need, want, recommend, continue, etc.

Існує ще одна цікава група дієслів, після яких можна вживати і інфінітив, і
герундій, і при цьому значення будуть абсолютно однакові. Ця група буде
поділятися на 3 підгрупи.
4.2.1. До першої підгрупи належать такі дієслова як begin, start, continue. Їх мало.
І вони, як правило, показують завершення і початок якоїсь дії. Begin, start,
continue. Обмежимося поки що цими трьома. Вони найуживаніші. Що вживати
після них? Чи інфінітив, чи герундії — це справа нашого особистого вибору. Я
можу сказати
 I started watching a film, (початок активності "watching a film")
а можу сказати
 I started to watch the film. (Був попередній задум "to watch the film" і ось я
почала його здійснювати)
Суть одна і та сама. Значення майже однакові. Я кажу майже, тому що якщо я
сказала I started watching, я говорю про початок якоїсь активності, діяльності.
Якщо я скажу I started to watch, це буде означати, що я почала щось робити з
наміром. Тобто, коли я вживаю інфінітив, це буде сигналізувати про те, що я мала
якісь плани, мала попередній задум якийсь. Ну, якщо це важливо, окей. А якщо
ні, ну, в принципі, можна вжити що завгодно і буде все добре.
Є ще один нюанс. Виникає питання, що буде, якщо я, приміром, буду вживати не
Simple часи (Past Simple, Present Simple, Future Simple) і не Perfect (Present
Perfect, Past Perfect, Future Perfect) (I have started watching; I had started
watching; I would have started watching), a, скажімо, вживатиму Continuous? Чому
це важливо з Continuous? Тому що хочуть сказати, приміром, таку фразу "Я
починаю бігати" і вживають підряд два –ing
 I am beginning jogging beginning to jog./I'm about to start jogging /I'm going
to jog.
І ось так з двома –ing підряд краще не говорити. Натомість, можна сказати I'm
about to start jogging або I'm going to jog. І оце буде набагато краще. Тут можна це
сформулювати так. У нас не може бути два -ing. Якщо ми маємо два –ing підряд,
нам варто якось поміняти наше речення і варто одного -ing якось позбутися, тому
що просто це sounds awkward і не дуже логічно. Виходить так, що ми в процесі
починати інший процес. І це так нібито воно прямує до нескінченності. Ми
можемо до нескінченності починати інший процес і не почати його і взагалі
невідомо, чи почнемо і так далі щоб не виникало таких колізій.
Власне кажучи, після Continuous герундій зазвичай не вживається. Якщо ж мені
так кортить тут вжити Continuous, тоді я можу сказати ще
 I am beginning to jog.
Просто використати інфінітив. Ми ж пам'ятаємо, що значення не змінюється.
Ну ось тому виходить так, що після цих дієслів може бути якби то, що завгодно і
інфінітив, і герундій, але є деякі нюанси. І про ці нюанси треба пам'ятати.
4.2.2. Тепер друга підгрупа, після якої теж може бути і інфінітив, і герундій. Це
такі дієслова як advise, recommend, allow, permit, encourage. Тут картина взагалі
дуже цікава. Вони мають інфінітив після себе лише тоді, коли після них є ще один
додаток. Тобто ми маємо таку картину. В нас має бути наше дієслово, наприклад,
advise, або recommend, а далі в нас має бути складений додаток, Complex Object,
до складу якого буде входити інфінітив:
 V1 + [Complex Object]
[(object-1) (object-2)]
[(n, pron) (infinitive)]
I recommend you to go to college.
Маємо дієслово recommend (V1). Далі іде складений додаток C.O.: займенник you -
перший додаток; інфінітив to go - другий додаток. Ну, а to college зав'язано на to
go, це вже додаток у to go; воно якби з ним одне ціле, але його, в принципі, тут
могло не бути, тому що може тут стояти любий інфінітив і не обов'язково він має
мати власні додатки. Ось так приблизно це виглядає.
Якщо не хочеться використовувати C.O., можна позбутися одного додатка,
вибудовуючи речення в Passive Voice. Зате далі просто буде інфінітив, і не більше
того:
 You are recommended to go to college. (specific meaning)
Інфінітив to go тут буде виступати в ролі complement (додатка) до are
recommended. І наше речення тоді буде виглядати так:
 You are recommended (підметом в цій конструкції стає object-1, така
маніпуляція) to go to college.
Дієслово (recommend ) стало пасивним (are recommended); далі до are
recommended додається інфінітив to go, у якого в свою чергу є свій непрямий
додаток to college. в оцей додаток.
Тепер подивимося, коли після цих дієслів (V1) може бути V2-ing. Ну, власне, коли
в нас не буде C.O. (складених додатків), тоді в нас з'явиться герундій. У нас має
бути V1 активний. Тут не буде пасива. А далі після нього зразу буде Gerund. І
наше те саме речення, буде виглядати так:
 I recommend going to college. (non-specific/general meaning)

Зауважимо, що тут незрозуміло, кому саме я рекомендую — нібито в загальному

— іти в коледж, на відміну від попереднього варіанта, де я рекомендувала тобі
іти в коледж.
Після recommend (V1) тут іде going (gerund). І в нього теж є додаток (to college),
тому що він форма дієслова (Gerund також може мати свої додатки). Таке
речення звучить абстрактно, тому що незрозуміло до кого я звертаюся, за яких
обставин я звертаюся, просто в загальному.

[Цих вад буде позбавлений варіант цього речення з possessive + Gerund—I

recommend your going to college—тому що Possessive can be used with Gerund bc
Gerund is a verbal noun.]
Note: Ясно, що таких дієслів більше, ніж наведені в цій підгрупі. Треба завжди
пам'ятати, що в підручниках наводяться не всі дієслова. І тому, якщо ми
зустрічаємо подібне дієслово або синонім, треба перевірити в словниках, що
після нього може вживатися.
ADVISE
Advise can actually be followed by both a to-infinitive and a gerund, but with slightly
different meaning:
+ to-V2
This structure is used when you are advising someone to do sth specific. The to-
infinitive phrase acts as the direct object of the verb advise. The focus is on the action
that is being recommended:
 The doctor advised me to stop eating so much sugar.
 I would advise you to think carefully before making such a big decision.
 I advise you not to go there.
+ V2-ing (gerund) (with a possessive noun/pronoun)
When followed by a gerund, it often includes a possessive noun/pronoun before the
gerund. This structure emphasizes the person doing the action that is being advised:
  The teacher advised my studying more for the exam. (Here, "his" modifies the
gerund "studying.")
 The lawyer advised Sarah's not signing the contract. ("Sarah's" modifies the
gerund phrase "not signing.")
 My doctor advised against my taking the medication.
 They advise against the use of/our using military force.
 The Foreign Office is advising Britons against all non-essential travel/travelling
to the region.
You might also see this structure without the possessive, though it's generally
considered informal:
 The coach advised practicing every day.
 I would strongly advise against going out on your own.
In summary:
 Advise + to-V2 focuses on the specific action being recommended.
 Advise + V2-ing (with possessive)" focuses on the person performing the action.

4.2.3. І нарешті третя підгрупа. І тут будуть дієслова need, require і want.
Обмежимося цими трьома. В них теж є синоніми, вони теж можуть в цю групу
попадати, але наразі обійдемося цими трьома. І ці також можуть вживатися як з
герундієм, так і з інфінітивом. Але знову ж таки інфінітив будь-який, а тільки
пасивний. Ну, а герундій тільки в його канонічній формі -ing, без перфектів і без
пасивів.
Тут ще треба зауважити таку річ, що нам потрібно не просто need, require і want,
тому що якщо ми просто скажемо I want, I require, нам потрібен буде тільки
інфінітив. Тому з інфінітивом по суті в нас є 2 випадки.
[Link]. Перший випадок – це тоді, коли ми використовуємо для підмету любий
займенник / іменник "живого градієнту" окрім третьої особи однини. Тут підмет
дуже важливий. Це може бути і перша особа, і друга, чи це може бути третя
особа однини, множини, неважливо, окрім третьої особи однини неживих
іменників (а ми пам'ятаємо, що в англійській неживі предмети — це все крім
людей). І коли ми поставили любий такий підмет, далі в нас буде дієслово і далі
буде інфінітив в активі. Все прекрасно — те, що ми всі знаємо і розуміємо. І наш
приклад може бути такий:
 I need to read more. (підмет I - займенник 1-ої особи однини; V1 + active
infinitive)
 The book needs to read (?) to be read. (It - "неживий" іменник 1-ої особи
однини; V1 + passive infinitive)
[Link]. I якщо у нас з'являється 3-тя особа однини і неживий предмет (це дуже
важливо, щоб не про людину йшлося), тоді картина буде інша. У нас може бути:
 It (3d. person singular) + V1-s + Passive Infinitive
My car needs to be washed.
The floor wants to be swept.
І тоді далі в мене буде дієслово з -s на кінці. І зазвичай така конструкція буває
тільки в Present Simple. Зазвичай вона не вживається в інших часах. І тут нам
треба вже не любий інфінітив поставити, а тільки пасивний інфінітив. І це зовсім
буде інша думка:
  My car needs to be washed. (підмет my car - іменник 1-ої особи однини; V1 +
passive infinitive)
 The floor wants to be swept.
Якщо дослівно "Моя машина потребує бути помитою". Ясно, що ми так не
говоримо. Ми говоримо "Мою машину треба помити".
Ця конструкція може вживатися також із V2-ing:
 It (3d. person singular) + V1-s + V2-ing
My car needs washing.
The floor wants sweeping.
Наше речення My car needs to be washed легко перетворюється на My car needs
washing. І це теж буде окей. І значення нашого речення буде абсолютно те саме.
Ну, ось таке в нас створюється правило. Воно величеньке, але цікаве. Це,
звичайно, нюанси, але ці нюанси треба знати.
Якщо ж я раптом сумніваюся, що після мого дієслова взагалі може бути, тоді
мені треба дивитися в словник. В словниках завжди після дієслів вказано, що з
ними може вживатися infinitive, або the -ing form, або і те, і друге, і в яких саме
значеннях. Все це написано і в Oxford Dictionary, і в Cambridge Dictionary, і в
Mariam Webster, і в Longman. Саме в словниках, а не в перекладачах, a не в
Reverso, не в GoogleTranslate, не в DeepL.
___________________________________________________

Master List of V1 requiring V2-ing or to-V2 forms

Verb Form Example

Required
admit V2-ing He admitted cheating.
advise (ambivalent) V2-ing / object + She advised waiting/me to wait.
to-V2
agree to-V2 They agreed to help.
allow (ambivalent) V2-ing / object + We allow playing/children to play.
to-V2
appear to-V2 He appears to be tired.
appreciate V2-ing I appreciate your helping me.
avoid V2-ing She avoids eating late.
begin (ambivalent) V2-ing / to-V2 It began raining / to rain.
can / could (modal) V2 (bare infinitive) She can swim.
consider V2-ing We considered moving.
continue V2-ing / to-V2 She continued talking / to talk.
(ambivalent)
decide to-V2 He decided to stay.
deny V2-ing She denied stealing.
deserve to-V2 He deserves to win.
enjoy V2-ing They enjoy traveling.
expect to-V2 I expect to pass.
fail to-V2 He failed to finish.
finish V2-ing She finished cleaning.
forget (meaning V2-ing / to-V2 I forgot meeting her / to meet her.
change)
go (activities) V2-ing We go swimming every Sunday.
go (semi-modal) V2 I’ll go get some coffee and check on the
kids.
hate (ambivalent) V2-ing / to-V2 I hate waiting / to wait.
help (semi-modal) to-V2 / V2 She helped me to carry/helped carry
bags.
hope to-V2 They hope to win.
imagine V2-ing Can you imagine living here?
intend to-V2 I intend to leave soon.
keep (on) V2-ing Keep moving until you reach the corner.
She kept me waiting for over an hour.
She decided to keep on studying despite
the noise.
When times are tough, just keep on
keeping on.
learn to-V2 She learned to drive.
let (semi-modal) object + V2 Let it be.
like (ambivalent) V2-ing / to-V2 I like swimming / to swim.
love (ambivalent) V2-ing / to-V2 She loves dancing / to dance.
make object + V2 He made her cry.
manage to-V2 He managed to escape.
mean to-V2 I didn’t mean to hurt you.
mind V2-ing Do you mind opening the window?
miss V2-ing I miss playing football.
must V2 You must go now.
need (not modal) to-V2/ to be+p2/V2- I need to rest. /The field wants to be
(ambivalent; ing rested./It wants resting.
animacy/ inanimacy
factor)
need (semi-modal) V2 You needn’t worry about that.
offer to-V2 They offered to help.
plan to-V2 We plan to visit soon.
prefer (ambivalent) V2-ing / to-V2 I prefer walking / to walk.
pretend to-V2 He pretended to be asleep.
promise to-V2 She promised to call.
propose V2-ing He proposed going out.
recommend V2-ing I recommend reading this book.
remember (meaning V2-ing/to-V2 I remember meeting her / remember to
change) meet her.
require (ambivalent; to-V2/ to be+p2/V2- The CEO requires to carefully plan. /The
animacy-inanimacy ing project requires to be carefully
factor) planned./It requires careful planning.
risk V2-ing He risked losing everything.
seem to-V2 She seems to like it.
should (modal) V2 You should study.
start (ambivalent) V2-ing/to-V2 She started crying / to cry.
stop (meaning V2-ing/to-V2 He stopped smoking / stopped to smoke.
change)
suggest V2-ing I suggest going early.
teach object + to-V2 She taught me to drive.
tell object + to-V2 He told me to wait.
try (meaning V2-ing/to-V2 Try calling her / try to call her.
change)
wait to-V2 We waited to see the doctor.
want (ambivalent; to-V2/ to be+p2/V2- She wants to sweep. /The floor wants to
animacy-inanimacy ing be swept./It wants sweeping.
factor)
would to-V2 I’d like to try it.
like/love/prefer

📌 Common V1 requiring V2-ing

Admit – He admitted cheating.
Appreciate – I appreciate your helping me.
Avoid – She avoids eating late.
Consider – We considered moving.
Deny – She denied stealing.
Enjoy – They enjoy traveling.
Finish – She finished cleaning.
Go (activities) – We go swimming every Sunday.
Imagine – Can you imagine living here?
Keep (on) – He keeps talking.
Mind – Do you mind opening the window?
Miss – I miss playing football.
Propose – He proposed going out.
Recommend – I recommend reading this book.
Risk – He risked losing everything.
Suggest – I suggest going early.

📌 Common V1 requiring to-V2

Agree They agreed to help.
Appear He appears to be tired.
Decide He decided to stay.
Deserve He deserves to win.
Expect I expect to pass.
Fail He failed to finish.
Hope They hope to win.
Intend I intend to leave soon.
Learn She learned to drive.
Manage He managed to escape.
Mean I didn’t mean to hurt you.
Need I need to rest.
Offer They offered to help.
Plan We plan to visit soon.
Pretend He pretended to be asleep.
Promise She promised to call.
Seem She seems to like it.
Wait We waited to see the doctor.
Want I want to leave.
Would Like/Love/Prefer I’d like to try it.

📌 Modals always are followed by V2

Can/Could She can swim.
Must You must go now.
Shall/Should You should study.
May/Might I might think of it.
Will/Would He would have gone by that time.

📌 Semi-modals HELP, LET, MAKE, NEED & like-semi-modals

GO, GET
HELP
Help can be followed by V2 or a to-V2:
 He helped me carry/to carry bags.
 The students helped raise/to raise £750 for the national appeal.
 She helped me find/to find a direction in life.
 Everyone can help reduce/to reduce carbon emissions by using public
transport.

LET & MAKE

Let and make are followed by V2 in active voice sentences. They always have an object
(underlined) before the infinitive:
 Let me to show show you this DVD I’ve got.
 They made us to wait wait while they checked our documents.

NEED
The verb need can function as a semi-modal verb in certain contexts, meaning that
it sometimes behaves like a modal verb + V2 and sometimes like a regular verb +
to-V2.

NEED + V2
In negative or interrogative sentences, need functions as a modal verb + V2 and it
doesn’t need do/does:
 Negative: You needn't worry about it. (= You don’t need to worry.)
 Question: Need I say more? (= Do I need to say more?)

NEED + to-V2
In affirmative sentences (statements), need functions as a regular verb + to-V2:
 You need to be careful. (Not a modal, but a regular verb)
 Do we need to call them? (It uses the auxiliary do for questions)
GET
GET + adjective/p2 (Passive Voice with GET – meaning a quick transition from one
state to another one):
 They plan to get married in May.
 She was getting sick of hearing him complain.
  There's nothing to get excited about.
 He got drunk and passed out.
 I am starting to get tired.
GET + V2-ing (= to start doing sth):
 I got talking to her. (= I started talking to her)
 Let's get going. (We ought to go; it's getting late.)
You can also see "going" here as a state verb as in structures "get + adj." where "get"
is a linking verb to reach a particular state or condition; to make sb/sth/yourself reach
a particular state or condition
GET + to-V2 (= to reach the point at which you feel, know, are, etc. sth)
1) to reach the point at which you feel, know, are, etc. sth
 After a time, you get to realize that these things don't matter.
 You'll like her once you get to know her. Ты полюбишь ее, когда ты ее
узнаешь (получше/поближе).
 His drinking is getting to be a problem.
 She's getting to be an old lady now.
2) (informal) to have the opportunity to do sth:
 He got to try out all the new software. (He had the chance to try out the new
software.) Он опробовал все новые программы.
 It's not fair—I never get to go first. Это несправедливо — мне никогда не
дают попробовать первым.
GO
GO + V2
is an example of a causative or semi-modal-like construction where go is followed
by V2 (bare infinitive). It’s commonly used in spoken English to express immediate or
intentional action:
 I'll go get some coffee. (= I will go and get some coffee.)
 She went check on the kids. (spoken, informal)
 Go see what's happening outside!
_________________________________________

Overview
to and -ing. Инфинитив или герундий?

В английских предложениях, где глагол/действие дополняется другим

глаголом/действием, необходимо знать, в какой форме — to-infinitive, bare
infinitive или -ing form — должен быть этот дополняющий глагол. В этом смысле
мы имеем 7 глагольных групп:
1. Глаголы, после которых используют только to-infinitive (их большинство):
 He wants to buy a new car.
 They decided to take a taxi.
 He helped to carry bags.
 I suggest you to do it.
 We agreed to meet at noon.
Verbs usually followed by to-infinitives (For full list see the file “Verb Complementation - Verbs
followed by INFINITIVE”)
 afford • agree • appear • arrange • attempt • beg • choose • consent •
decide • expect • fail • happen • hesitate • hope • intend • learn •
manage • mean • need • neglect • offer • prepare • pretend • promise •
refuse • swear • try • want • wish
2. Глаголы, после которых используют только –ing form (их меньшинство):
 He helped me carry bags.
 Can you help me cross the road?
 He suggests us doing it.
 The boy overheard her telling it.
 She overheard him tell the story.
 She felt (that) his hand touch her.
 We’ve made them agree with our plan.
3. Глаголы, после которых используют обе формы ― to-infinitive or -ing form ― без
существенного изменения в смысле (“universal verbs”) (их всего 23):
 Would you like to dance with me?
 We liked dancing.
 The situation requires us to show trust.
 The situation requires showing trust from us.
 They continued discussing/to discuss the issue.
💡 In contemporary English, the –ing form sounds a bit more natural and fluent in a
normal conversation:
Verbs that do not change meaning when followed by to-infinitive or -ing form (23):
 advise • allow • begin • continue • dislike • encourage • enjoy • hate •
hear • like • listen • love • need (not modal) • notice • permit • prefer •
propose • recommend • require • see • start • want • watch
4. Глаголы-chameleons “переменчивые хамелеоны” ― после них может
использоваться тоже 2 формы, но меняется смысл (их всего 10):
 I stopped to smoke. Я остановился [(для того), чтобы] покурить.
 I stopped smoking. я бросил курить (курение).
 I need to water the plants. (I have the obligation of watering the plants.)
 The plants need watering. (The plants need be watered. It doesn't necessarily
have to be me.)
More examples can be seen below in this file.
Verbs that change the sentence meaning depending on when followed by to-infinitive
or -ing form (10):
 be afraid • be sorry • forget • go on • mean • need • regret • remember •
stop • try
5. Modal verbs can be followed exclusively by bare infinitives (12):
 can • could • may • might • will • would • shall • should • must • ought
to • used to • had better/had best (a fixed idiomatic verb phrase that
functions like a modal verb)
6. Semi-modal verbs. There are 8 verbs that may behave as semi-modals (they may
act as the modals—that is they may not need the auxilieries to construct questions
and negatives—or as the common/non-modal verbs—that is they conjugate). The verb
complementation for these verbs depends on whether they function as the common or
modal verbs. You just need to memorize what verb forms follow them in practice:
 dare; need; ought to; 'd better/had better; used to; be able to; gonna/be going
to; gotta/have got to/have to
 We have to be at the airport by noon.
 She needs to buy a new phone.
 I need your helping./I need (that) you help me./ I need you to help me.
 You ought to apologize for your mistake.
 My grandmother used to bake bread every Sunday.
 You had better finish your homework or you'll be grounded.
 He will be able to drive next year.
 They are going to start a new business.
 How dare you argue back?
 You’d better do it.
 You ought to study for the exam.
 Gotta we get going?
 Are you able to do it?
 I’m going to fly to L.A.
7. Causative verbs:
The main causative verbs are:
 have, make, let, help sb do sth (V1 + V2)
 help, get sb to do sth (V1 + to-V2)
Have, let, make are consecutive verbs (also called catenative verbs or linked
verbs) that cannot be followed by to-infinitives. As causative verbs, they are
just followed by the bare infinitive (for more details see the file “Causatives”):
 I had him cut the bushes.
 He let him die in peace.
 The teacher made the students do the assignment.
Many other verbs can be used in causative function, and in this case they are followed
not by the bare infinitive, but just by to-infinitives:
 ask, beg, beseech, coax, cause, demand, force, implore, invite, solicit, urge,
teach, show, pay, convince, permit, propose, request, tell and so on + sb + to
do sth
 She implored them to help her.
 They invite her to spend the next weekend in their summer house.
💡 Для нейтивов, всё это не вызывает трудностей, потому что, находясь в своей
языковой среде, они привыкли правильно говорить в соответствии с языковой
культурой, из области "я не знаю почему, но для меня так привычней звучит".
Для изучающих английский язык это приходит с начитанностью, необходимой
практикой и появлением «чувства языка» “sense of the English language.”
💡 To-indinitive воспринимается как начало/начальная точка некоего
действия/процесса, которое от этой точки напправлено в будущее. To-indinitive
употребляется тогда, когда действие не ПРОИЗОШЛО, а лишь может произойти
в будущем. Хотеть, это не иметь, а просто хотет; учить что-то ― это не уже
владеть языком, а его изучать; решать сделать что-то, это просто решать, но не
делать; надеяться на что-то ― это опять что-то не реализованное; планировать
― это просто планировать сделать что-то в буд, но не иметь. "I hope to be happy"
― человек не имеет счастья, но надеется его иметь в будущем. Действие, в
котором мы ещё не достигли результата. Это to-indinitive. Просто глагол в
нулевой форме еще ничем не обогащенный.
В -ing form как-будто нет начала и конца. Это обозначение действия как такового
целиком.
__________________________________________

Practice
1. Він продовжував говорити навіть коли його перестали слухати.
He went on talking even when they stopped listening.
2. Хоч я й намагалася [докладала зусиль для того, щоб..] (коли можна
перефразовувається на "для того, щоб...", можна бути впевненими, що в переладі
ми будемо вживати to-infinitive) зрозуміти його питання, в мене нічого не
вийшло.
Though/Although/However I tried/I did everything I could to
understand/comprehend/get in/get the meaning of/catch on to his question, I didn't
succeed./I failed/was unable to do it.
3. Ніколи не забуду як я впеше летів літаком.
I'll never forget flying my first flight/by plane/for the first time/my flying first time.
4. Вони швидко звикли до життя в іншій країні.
They quickly got used to the life/living in a foreign country.
5. Стів закінчив писати твір останнім.
Steve was the last to finish writing his essay.
6. Прикро дивитися на таке.
It's a shame/upsetting/sad/sadly/I am upset/regret (Тут в нас з'являється емоційний
стан, значить далі буде інфінітив) to look at/watch/observe/contemplate such thing.
__________________________
Безособові форми дієслова - Infinitive vs V-ing після regret, try, forget - приклади з RoundUp 6
Put the verbs in brackets into the infinitive or –ing form:
1. On the way home, Tom stopped ____________ (pick up) his dry cleaning.
2. If you don’t stop __________ (eat) so much chocolate, you’ll make ill yourself.
3. Try __________ (phone) John at the office if he’s not at home.
4. I tried my best _______ (finish) the test, but there just wasn’t enough time.
5. He was promoted in 1990 and went on ________________ (become) a company
director.
6. The band went on ____________ (play) even after the lights had gone out.
7. Jane was afraid __________ (show) her school report to her parents.
8. I’m afraid of ___________ (lose) my way in the forest.
9. What do you mean ____________ (do) with all that money?
10. Playing a musical instrument well means ___________________ (practise) for years.
11. I regret ___________ (tell) you that your appointment has been cancelled.
12. She regrets ______________ (spend) so much money on her new dress.
13. Do you remember ____________ (ride) a bicycle for the first time?
14. Remember ___________ (post) the letters on your way home.
__________________________________________
Безособові форми дієслова - Infinitive vs V-ing після після різних слів - приклади з RoundUp 6
(Из сборника упражнений Round-Up 6 здесь: [Link]
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct infinitive or -ing form.
Remember:
 Iнфінітиви можуть бути пасивні (to be + p2), перфектні (to have + p2),
continuous (to be + V-ing).
 –ing form також можуть бути перфектними (having + p2) і пасивними
(being + p2).

Extreme sports: Do something different!

Extreme sports are not for everyone. But for people who enjoy ___________ (live) life to
the full, they are the only type of sports worth _____________ (do)! The latest extreme
sport ____________ (become) popular is ______________ (sandboard). It involves
__________ (slide) down extremely high sand dunes on a board. You can _____________
(lie down) or _______________ (stand up). When _____________ (stand up), both your feet
are tied to the board to prevent you from ___________ (fall off). Some sandboarders,
however, prefer ________________ (keep) their fee untied because it allows more
freedom of movement.
____________ (lie down) can be even more fun. Can you imagine ____________ (speed)
headfast down a sand dune at 80 km/hr? Because that's how fast you can expect
_______ (go)! Sounds like fun? People who have tried _______________ (sandboard) say
it's totally addictive! So head to a desert and try _____________ (sandboard) out. You
don't need ________ (have) any experience, you needn’t _________ (have) any special
equipment, but you should ________ (love) danger and excitement!
______________________________________
Explanations:

У випадках з worth необхідно відрізняти, коли worth іменник чи прикметник без

прийменника (тоді ми вживаємо після нього інфінитив), а коли з прийменником,
(вживаємо після нього герундій).

В цьому реченні worth - прикметник, а після прикметників та іменників здебільшого

вживаються інфінітиви. Але чому далі іде -ing, а не to-infinitive? Все тому, що woth +
-ing це ідіоматичний вислів, який дорівнює повній фразі be worth of sth, яка
етімологічно пов’язана з noun phrase a sth’s worth of sth, де worth вже іменник з
прийменником of, як, наприклад, в "a pound’s worth of change". Тобто прийменник of
у фразі be worth (of) doing sth завжди невидимо присуній. А от після прийменників
завжди вживається герундій.

🚨 There are a few exceptions though: In the phrases be more than one's job's worth to do
sth and similar constructs like not worth the bother/trouble to do it, (not) worth one's
while/effrts/time to do sth the word worth is followed by to-infinitive because they are the
fixed idiomatic expressions:
 It's more than my job's worth to let you in without a ticket.
  The security guard muttered, "It's more than my job's worth to ignore that
unauthorized entrance, even if they look harmless." (Ignoring that unauthorized
entrance is not worth it.)
 It isn't worth my while to argue with him about politics.
 I'm not going to spend an hour on hold with customer service; it's simply not worth
my while to wait for a refund that small.
 The junior accountant hesitated. "Sir, it would be more than my job's worth to
authorize that payment without Mr. Smith's signature."
 I considered fixing the old laptop, but it's not worth the hussle/trouble to do it — a
new one costs almost the same as the repair.
 He thought about arguing with the manager, then decided it wasn’t worth the
trouble to do it.
 Driving two hours for a ten-minute meeting? Not worth my while to do it.
 It’s not worth my time to do it unless there’s a clear benefit.
 If they’re not going to cover travel expenses, it’s not worth my while to do it.

In these specific, idiomatic comparisons, the to-infinitive is required to specify the action
whose negative consequence is being weighed against the value of the possessive noun
phrase (like "my job's worth" or "my while").
Jobsworth (n) (humorously or critically) — неформальное британское
существительное, используемое для описания человека, который строго следует
правилам, часто в излишней или необоснованной степени. Термин характеризует
негибкого забюрократизированного чинушу, воплощающего подходы
чрезмерного администрирования, обычно занимающего незначительную
должность, который строго и неукоснительно следует правилам и инструкциям,
часто бездумно и в ущерб здравому смыслу, удобству других или необходимости
проявить инициативу, а также любого человека, который придерживается
мелких правил, даже в ущерб эффективности или результативности.
A jobsworth is a person who follows the rules of a job exactly, even when this causes
problems for other people, or when the rules are not sensible. Origin: 1970s: from it's
more than my job's worth [(not) to do it] (a British English informal phrase meaning
“not worth doing because it is against the rules or because it might cause you to lose
your job” (дословно "это стоит больше, чем моя работа" в смысле «меня могут
уволить за это» я не могу этого сделать; моя работа мне дороже):
 She accused the traffic warden of being a jobsworth for giving her a ticket
while she was visiting a housebound patient.
 It's more than my job's worth to let you in without a ticket. мне это может
стоить моей работы
Фраза "I can't do that, it's more than my job's worth to do it" meaning "The
risk/consequence of doing this action is too high relative to the value/reward
associated with my job" (Это больше, чем стоит моя работа/Я не могу этого
сделать; меня могут уволить) подразумевает, что человек боится сделать что-то,
выходящее за рамки его узких обязанностей, чтобы не рисковать своим местом
или не брать на себя дополнительную ответственность.
Наиболее подходящими эквивалентами для английского слова "jobsworth" в
русском языке являются:
  Бюрократ: Подчёркивает приверженность инструкциям и отсутствие
гибкости.
 Чинуша: В уничижительном смысле, подчёркивает мелочность и
следование инструкциям.
 Буквоед/Формалист: Акцентирует внимание на мелочном следовании букве
правил, а не их духу.
 Мелкий царёк/Человек-инструкция: Разговорные варианты, также могут
передавать это значение, но менее точно.

Why then we use to-infinitive after worth in more than one's job’s worth to do it as in
It's more than my job's worth to let you in without a ticket?
The most common and general use of worth is:
 worth + gerund
 The movie is worth seeing. (Meaning: It deserves the action of seeing it.)
The phrase be more than one's job's worth (to do sth) and similar constructs like not
worth the trouble to do it, (not) worth one's while/effrts/time to do sth are the fixed
idiomatic expressions. Their meaning is “The cost, risk, or effort of the action exceeds
the value of the associated noun (like "job," "trouble," or "effort"). Furthermore, in
these phrases we have comparison of value/effort. The constructions imply:
 [Action's Consequence] > [Value of Noun]
When the thing (my job's worth) that is being valued or exceeded is present, the to-
infinitive often follows to specify the action creating that consequence. If you used the
gerund here, it would sound awkward or change the meaning:
 It's more than my job's worth letting you in... (incorrect/awkward)
For example, consider the phrase:
 It isn't worth my while to argue with him about politics. (The effort/time
invested in the action to argue with him does not justify the reward or benefit
associated with the time allotted (my while). (There’s a comparison: The benefit
gained from arguing is less than the value of the time I spend doing it.)
Why the to-infinitive works here: In this context, while/time/effort/trouble is the
noun/object whose value is being measured against the action. The to-infinitive
specifies which action is being measured against that value. If you were to use the
gerund here, it would generally be ungrammatical or sound like the general rule:
 It isn't worth arguing with him... (awkward/unidiomatic; this implies the act of
arguing itself isn't valuable, which is simpler, but it loses the nuance of my time
being wasted.)
Conclusion: The construction worth one's while to do sth is a fixed expression that
requires the to-infinitive to introduce the action being discounted.
Summary Comparison

Construction Structure Meaning

General Rule worth + gerund The thing is worthy of the
action.
Idiomatic worth + noun's worth + to-infinitive The consequence of the action
Exception exceeds the value specified by
Construction Structure Meaning
the noun.
_______________________________________
Chart. Verb complementation groups of verbs/Types of V1
to-V2 or V2- to-V2 or V2-
Only V2- ing ing Semi-
Only to-V2 Modals Causative
ing (not (changing modals +
(majority + V2 s
(minority changing the the V2
of verbs) (12) (5) (20+)
of verbs) meaning) meaning) (8)
(23) (16)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
afford
agree
aim acknowle
appear dge
arrange admit
ask anticipate
attempt apreciate
beg avoid
care bear
choose begin
advise
claim can’t help
allow
consent can’t
begin
decide stand
continue
demand complete be afraid
dislike
deserve consider be sorry
encourage
determine delay dislike can
enjoy dare
dread deny forget could
hate need
expect enjoy get may have, make,
hear ought to
fail escape go on might let, help sb
like 'd better/'d
happen finish hate will do sth
listen better
hesitate give up like would (V1 + V2);
love used to
hope imagine love shall help, get sb
need (non- be able to
intend involve mean should to do sth (V1
modal) gonna/be
learn keep (on) prefer must + to-V2);
notice going to
long mention regret ought to 20+ (V1 +
permit gotta/have
manage mind remember used to to-V2)
prefer got to/have
mean miss start 'd better/'d
propose to
neglect postpone stop best
recommen
offer practise try
d require
prepare resist want
see
pretend risk
start
promise stand
want
refuse start
watch
seem stop
strive suggest
swear suggest
tend tolerate
threaten understan
undertak d
e waste
vow …
wait
want
 wish
yearn
…