After a verb, the next verb is an -ing form, a to-infinitive or a bare infinitive, and the choice depends on the first verb. After a preposition the verb is always -ing. Learning the patterns by group is faster than learning each verb alone.
Form
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| verb + object + to-infinitive: want, ask, tell, allow, expect, advise | I want you to help me. |
| preposition + -ing | She is interested in learning French. |
| verb + -ing: enjoy, avoid, finish, keep, mind, suggest | He avoids driving at night. |
| make / let + object + base verb | She made me laugh. |
When to use it
- Verb + -ing: enjoy, avoid, finish, keep, mind, suggest, consider, practise.
- Verb + to: decide, hope, plan, manage, afford, refuse, promise.
- Verb + object + to: want, ask, tell, allow, encourage, expect, persuade.
- Make / let + object + bare infinitive: She let me go. They made him pay.
- Preposition + -ing: good at cooking, tired of waiting, before leaving.
Examples
- I want you to help me.
- She is interested in learning French.
- He avoids driving at night.
- The teacher let us leave early.
- They expect him to win.
- I look forward to seeing you.
Common mistakes
- I enjoy to swim → I enjoy swimming.
- I look forward to see you → to seeing you (to is a preposition).
- She made me to laugh → She made me laugh.
- He suggested to go → He suggested going.