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Gerund or infinitive
Some verbs want -ing, some want to. It is not about meaning — it is about the verb in front.
First page · which side is the verb on
The switch
These verbs take -ing
- enjoy · I enjoy reading
- finish · finish working
- avoid · avoid making noise
- mind · do you mind waiting?
- suggest · suggest going
- practise · practise speaking
- keep · keep trying
- miss · I miss seeing them
These verbs take to
- want · I want to go
- decide · decide to stay
- hope · hope to see you
- need · need to leave
- promise · promise to call
- learn · learn to drive
- offer · offer to help
- manage · manage to finish
: - . , , : . . .
: . : , , .
: : -. , , , , . .
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| What follows | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Form | Example |
| after a preposition | always -ing | before leaving · without asking |
| after a modal | always the bare verb | must go · can swim |
| as the subject of a sentence | usually -ing | Smoking is bad for you. |
| to express a purpose | always to | I came here to study. |
| after a listed verb | whatever that verb takes | enjoy reading · want to read |
Golden rule
— . , . , .
. , , : , -. , . .
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