The most important rule is to learn the following list. We use infinitive with to or gerinds after some verbs. These verbs are put into the following groups.
*NOTE: some verbs might be missing (algunos verbos pueden faltar) These are the most common and popular . Algunos verbos pueden estar en otros grupos.
Verbs Followed by an Infinitive
Example:
She decided to leave work early
agree / aim / appear / arrange / ask / attempt / be able
beg / begin /care /choose /condescend /consent /continue
dare /decide /deserve /detest/dislike/expect /fail /forget
get/happen /have /hesitate /hope /hurry /intend /leap
leave/like /long /love /mean /neglect /offer /ought /plan
prefer/prepare /proceed /promise /propose /refuse /remember
say /shoot /start /stop /strive /swear /threaten /try
use /wait/want /wish /
Verbs Followed by an Object and an Infinitive
Example
I always allow my daughter to watch TV at night.
advise/allow /ask /beg /bring /build /buy /challenge /choose /command
dare/direct /encourage /expect /forbid /force /have /hire /instruct /invite
lead /leave/let /like /love /motivate /order /pay /permit /persuade
prepare /promise /remind /require /send /teach /tell
urge /want /warn
Verbs Followed by a Gerund
Example
They enjoyed working on the boat.
admit/advise /appreciate /avoid /can't help /complete /consider
delay /deny /detest /dislike /enjoy /escape /excuse
finish /forbid /get through /have /imagine /mind
miss /permit /postpone /practice /quit /recall /report
resent /resist /resume /risk /spend (time) /suggest /tolerate /waste (time)
Verbs Followed by a Preposition and a Gerund
Example
We concentrated on doing well.
admit to /approve of /argue about /believe in /care about
complain about /concentrate on /confess to /depend on
disapprove of /discourage from /dream about /feel like
forget about /insist on /object to /plan on
prevent (someone) from /refrain from /succeed in /talk about
think about /worry about
The folowing can be followed by the infinitive or gerund form:
can afford / can't bear / begin
cease/commence/ continue
dread / hate / like
loathe /love / neglect
prefer/ propose /(can't) stand
start / undertake
Examples: I started studying English = I started to study English
Other rules
Use Infinitive (with to)
- After adjectives; It is very nice to see you
- To show purpose (to say why you do something);
Examples: I went to the disco to have fun
Use gerunds (-ing form)
- As the subject of the sentence; Drinking too much alchohol is bad for your health.
- After prepositions; He talked to Maria about going to a bar.
