Verbs followed by '-ing' or infinitive

Do you know when to use -ing and when to use to + infinitive after a verb? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

Look at these examples to see how the verb forms are used.

I enjoy learning languages.
I want to learn a new language.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Grammar test 1: Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive 1: Grammar test 1

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

A verb can be followed by another verb. The second one usually needs to change into the -ing form or the to + infinitive form. Which form you need depends on what the first verb is.

Verbs followed by the -ing form

When enjoy, admit and mind are followed by another verb, it must be in the -ing form.

I enjoy travelling.
He admitted stealing the necklace.
I don't mind waiting if you're busy.

Other verbs in this group include avoid, can't help, consider, dislike, feel like, finish, give up, miss, practise and suggest.

Like and love can be followed by the -ing form and the to + infinitive form. They are both correct.

Verbs followed by to + infinitive form

When want, learn and offer are followed by another verb, it must be in the to + infinitive form.

I want to speak to the manager.
She's learning to play the piano.
He offered to help us wash up.

Other verbs in this group include afford, agree, ask, choose, decide, expect, hope, plan, prepare, promise, refuse and would like.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Grammar test 2: Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive' 1: Grammar test 2

Try another grammar lesson

Language level

A1 Elementary

A2 Pre-intermediate

hello, I want to say something. The seventh question has a small problem with the word "chose".

Hello Mutlu A.

Chose is the past simple form of the verb choose and is correct here.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

So there is no specific pattern to learn it? We need to memorize each word and their pattern, which one followed by gerund or to + infinitive, right?

Hello Fajar_Hilyan,

Yes, that's correct. Verb patterns like these need to be memorised; they cannot be worked out by the application of a general rule.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

- Hi Celina. Do you mind going to the zoo with me?
- Of course not. When shall we go?
- How about tomorrow evening?
- Sorry, I avoid going out in the evening.
- Why?
- Because I'm going to learn to drive.
- All right! Me too, I enjoy driving.

I enjoy watching K-dramas.
I want to improve my English.
I love cooking when I am alone.

I learned a lot! I promise to keep going!

Hi there,

Why can we say, "He admitted stealing the necklace (checked by Grammarly, correct with or without "to")," but couldn't say, "She admitted cheating on the test (also checked by Grammarly, they stated it must be added with "to" to become correct),?"

Thanks a lot!
Best regards,

Honggo

Hello Honggo,

As far as I know, both 'admitted cheating' and 'admitted to cheating' are correct ways of accepting that you did something. I'm afraid you'd have to ask Grammarly to explain this inconsistency.

Best wishes,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team

Thank you for your fast answer, Kirk.
"both 'admitted cheating' and 'admitted to cheating' are correct," noted.
Could this principle be applied to the other verbs? How about these:
- He admitted hearing their secret conversation.
- He admitted stalking that girl.
- He admitted talking to him yesterday.
- He admitted seeing a ghost.
- He admitted flying in his dream.
and so forth...

Is it still correct to use "to" or not?
Or are there any verbs (after "admit") that must be added with "to" to make sense on their own?