What form should a verb take if it follows another verb? Check what you already know by taking this short challenge.
Before we dive into an explanation of the answers, let’s look at the first verbs in each of these sentences: enjoys (present simple) and are planning (present continuous).
We need to use these verb forms because of the time or tense we want to describe and whether an action is completed or ongoing. For the first verb in a sentence, we also need to make sure the subject agrees with the verb (e.g. She enjoys for third person singular).
When a verb is followed by a second verb, this next verb usually needs to be changed into either the -ing or the infinitive form. The correct form depends on the verb that comes first.
Answers to short challenge:
a. She enjoys visiting art galleries.
b. We are planning to travel to New Zealand next year.
Verbs that come after enjoy always take the –ing form whereas verbs that follow plan are always followed by the infinitive with ‘to.’
Why is it important to use correct verb forms?
In the IELTS test, Grammatical Range and Accuracy is one of the key criteria that examiners look at when they mark your Writing and Speaking. The number of grammatical errors you make can impact your band score.
In some cases, choosing the wrong verb form can change the meaning of a sentence, which might lead to misunderstandings.
We want to make sure that you’ve got the communication skills you need, not just for IELTS but for your new life after your test.
This go-to guide gives you everything you need to know about choosing between the -ing form and the infinitive. Whether you're speaking or writing, you'll find clear rules and examples to help you avoid mistakes.
Which verbs are followed by infinitives?
These fall into two categories:
1. Verbs followed by ‘to’ + infinitive
Some verbs are followed by an infinitive verb, which includes the word ‘to.’
Examples: agree, ask, hope, learn, manage, need, offer, threaten, want, would like
She agreed to help him after class.
We hope to migrate to Canada next year.
He needs to leave at 3 o’clock.
I would like to live by the sea one day.
2. Verbs followed by infinitives without ‘to’
Other verbs are followed by infinitives without the ‘to’ before them. This category includes modal verbs.
Examples: can, could, should, may, might and must.
You should come with us.
We might go to Greece next year.
You must take your passport with you on IELTS test day.
I could try calling him again to see if he’s available.
Sara can speak three languages.
Can she speak Arabic?
Which verbs are followed by –ing forms?
After some verbs, the next verb always takes the –ing form.
Examples: avoid, enjoy, give up, keep, mind, miss, practise, recommend, suggest
I recommend visiting in February, so you can come to the carnival.
The dentist told him to avoid drinking too many fizzy drinks.
Do you mind opening the window?
I missed playing with my nephews and nieces when I was studying abroad.
Practise speaking English everyday if you can.
Verbs that can take both '-ing' and infinitive: No change in meaning
Some verbs can be followed by either the infinitive (with ‘to’) or the -ing form, without affecting the meaning.
Examples: begin, continue, hate, love, start, prefer
He continued working all through the night.
He continued to work all through the night.
He loves watching documentaries
He loves to watch documentaries.
She started learning Spanish last year.
She started to learn Spanish last year.
Verbs that can take both '-ing' and infinitive with a change in meaning
Sometimes you can choose what verb form you want to use for the second verb, but it will change the meaning of the sentence.
Examples: forgot, remember, stop, try.
Remember and forget
Verb form | Example sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
Remember + verb with -ing | I remember making cookies with my grandma. | A memory of a past event. |
Remember + to + infinitive | I remembered to make a dentist appointment for next week. | Remembering there is something that needs to be done. Tip: Think of this one as describing something on a to-do list. |
Forget + verb with –ing | I’ll never forget meeting my baby daughter for the first time. | Forgetting (or in this case not forgetting) a past event. |
Forget + to + infinitive | I forgot to meet Andrew at 3 o’clock. | Forgetting something that needs to be done. |
Stop
Verb form | Example sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
Stop + verb with –ing | He stopped buying petrol on the way to work. | The action is no longer happening. He stopped his habit of buying petrol on the way to work. Perhaps he started to buy it on the way home from work instead. Or maybe he decided to leave his car at home and take public transport to work. |
Stop + to + infinitive | He stopped to buy petrol on the way to work. | Stopping an activity to do something else. In this case, he stopped driving to fill up the car with petrol. |
Try
Verb form | Example sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
Try + verb with –ing | Let’s try taking the back road. Maybe we can get there faster. | Experimenting with something or testing it to see if it works. |
Try + to + infinitive | She’s trying to take better care of her health. | Making the effort to do something that is challenging. |
Practical tips for choosing the correct verb
So, how can you make sure you’re using the correct verb forms in your IELTS test?
Learn common verb patterns like the ones above.
Use reading to memorise verb patterns. Books, texts and articles can provide context when verbs change meaning.
Write practice sentences to help you remember verb patterns.
Consider the meaning you want to convey.
Take our quiz below to test your verb form knowledge.
Verb forms quiz
Choose the correct form of each verb.
1. I offered _________ her with the project.
a. help
b. to help
c. helping
d. helped
2. My brother keeps __________ me when I’m trying to work.
a. call
b. to call
c. calling
d. calls
3. It may _____ later, so don’t forget your umbrella.
a. rain
b. rains
c. to rain
d. raining
4. I suggest _____________clothes for all seasons as the weather is very changeable.
a. pack
b. packs
c. to pack
d. packing
5. We managed _________just in time.
a. finish
b. to finish
c. finishing
d. finished
6. I remember ____________how to ride a bike without training wheels when I was a child.
a. learn
b. to learn
c. learning
d. learnt
7. I forgot________my phone charger.
a. bring
b. to bring
c. bringing
d. brought
8. My dad stopped ___________ when he was 65.
a. work
b. to work
c. working
d. worked
9. When we got to the top, we stopped __________a photo of the view.
a. take
b. to take
c. taking
d. took
10. Have you tried ____________your computer?
a. restarting
b. restarted
c. restart
d. to restart
Verb forms quiz answers:
1). b 2). c 3). a 4). d 5). b 6). c 7). b 8). c 9). b 10). a
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Grammar: FAQS
Read answers to frequency asked questions about grammar and IELTS.