When two verbs appear together, the first verb determines if the second verb will be in the gerund form (-ing form) or the infinitive form (to...). The only way to know is to memorize which verbs are followed by gerunds and which are followed by infinitives.

Example:

• The T.A. needs to go to class early.
  The verb “need” can only be followed by an infinitive form (to...).
• The T.A. doesn’t mind going to class early.
  The verb “do not mind” can only be followed by a gerund (-ing) verb.

For a quick review of which verbs follow gerunds and which follow infinitives, select any of the following:

• Verbs Followed by Infinitives
• Verbs Followed by Gerunds
• Verbs Followed by an Object Before the Second Infinitive Verb
• Verbs Followed by Either Gerund or Infinitive
• Verbs Followed Only by the Simple Form (no -ing or -to)
• Verbs Followed by Either the Simple Form or the Gerund (no to)
• Practice with Gerunds and Infinitives

Verbs Followed by Infinitives

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Verbs Followed by Gerunds

The verbs in the following table all need to be followed by gerunds.

Example: The students don’t enjoy going over the same rules again and again.

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Verbs Followed by an Object Before the Second Infinitive Verb

Example: I advise you to go to school early today.

(Words with * can be used with or without an object.)

*Some words can be used without an object as well as with an object.

Example: I want him to go. I want to go.

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Verbs Followed by Either Gerund or Infinitive

Sometimes the meaning changes according to the verb used.

Example:

He doesn’t remember giving the homework to Mr. Young.
He didn’t remember to give the homework to Mr. Young.

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Verbs Followed Only by the Simple Form (no -ing or to)

Four verbs are called causative verbs. They are followed by an object; the verb after the object is always in the simple form:

• let: They let him go on the trip (instead of “let him to go").

  I let him take my book home for one night.

• make: We made her do her chores first.

  I made my sister cry.

• help: She helped her finish her homework.

  I helped him find the bookstore.

• have: The teacher had him stay after school.

  I had my teacher explain the answers.

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Verbs Followed by Either the Simple Form or the Gerund (no to)

Some verbs are called verbs of perception and are followed by either the simple form or the -ing form.

• see: I see him go.

  I see him going.

• notice: I notice him run to school everyday.

  I notice him running to school everyday.

• watch: I watch him struggle with his homework.

  I watch him struggling with his homework.

• hear: I hear him sing.

  I hear him singing.

Others including: look at, observe, listen to, feel, smell.

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Continue to Practice: Gerunds and Infinitives.

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