Dave

29 giu 20212 min

to or -ing? - B1

verbs + to infinitive; make and let; verbs + -ing; verbs + to infinitive or -ing

CONTEXT LISTENING

Look at these pictures of necklaces.

  1. Which necklace is made of wire and beads?

  2. Which is made of leather and stones?

You are going to hear a man, Jeff, talking to two students, Garth and Mary, about making jewellery.

  1. What is Mary’s reason for making jewellery?

  2. What is Garth’s reason for making jewellery?

  3. Which necklace does Mary make?

  4. Which necklace does Garth make?

Listen again and fill in the gaps below.

  1. … think about what you intend to do with it.

  2. I don’t mind _____ something which isn’t completely perfect.

  3. I suggest _____ with simple things.

  4. I hate _____ heavy jewellery.

  5. … remember _____ the weight.

  6. I remember _____ some earrings for a customer.

  7. She made _____lots of heavy stones.

  8. I’ll let _____ .

  9. Well, I plan _____ this one myself.

  10. I’d like _____ these square black ones.

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Look at your answers and answer these questions.

  1. Which verbs are followed by the to infinitive?

  2. Which verbs are followed by an -ing form?

  3. Which verb is in both lists?

  4. Which verbs are not in either list?

Grammar

We often use one verb followed by another. The first verb decides the form of the second verb:

The second verb is usually either the to infinitive or the -ing form.

Verbs + to infinitive

Some verbs are followed by the to infinitive:

  • (can’t) afford

  • agree

  • aim

  • appear

  • arrange

  • choose

  • decide

  • demand

  • deserve

  • expect

  • Fail

  • hope

  • learn

  • manage

  • offer

  • plan

  • prepare

  • pretend

  • promise

  • refuse

  • seem

  • (can’t) wait

  • wish

I can’t afford to buy a lot of materials.
Do you hope to sell it?

For the negative we put not before to:

They agreed not to leave.

Some verbs are followed by the to infinitive and always have an object:

  • advise

  • encourage

  • force

  • invite

  • order

  • persuade

  • remind

  • teach

  • tell

  • warn

I’m going to teach you to make necklaces.
I advise students to make several things.

Some verbs are followed by the to infinitive and sometimes have an object:

  • ask

  • expect

  • help

  • intend

  • want

  • would like

  • would love

  • would hate

  • would prefer

We expect to be late. (= we will probably be late)
We expect Tomto be late. (= he will probably be late)
We would like to stay longer.
We would like them to stay longer.

would like and like

Remember the difference between would like and like:

Would you like to play tennis? (= an invitation to play)
Do you like playing tennis? (= asking about your opinion)

make and let

Make and let are followed by the infinitive without to.

They always have an object:

I’ll let you decide.
She made me use lots of heavy stones.

Verb + -ing

Some verbs are followed by the -ing:

  • avoid

  • carry on*

  • consider

  • delay

  • dislike

  • enjoy

  • feel like*

  • finish

  • give up*

  • imagine

  • involve

  • keep

  • keep on*

  • (not) mind

  • miss

  • practise

  • put off*

  • recommend

  • suggest

Avoid making heavy jewellery.
I suggest practising with simple things.

For the negative we put not before the -ing form:

Can you imagine not having a car nowadays?

Verbs followed by the to infinitive or -ing

These verbs are usually followed by -ing but sometimes by the to infinitive:

  • begin

  • continue

  • like

  • love

  • prefer

  • hate

  • start

He continued talking loudly.
He continued to talk loudly.
I prefer using a dictionary.
I prefer to use a dictionary.

Some verbs are followed by the to infinitive or -ing with a different meaning:

  • forget

  • Remember

  • try

  • stop

Remember

forget

try

stop

GRAMMAR PRACTICE

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