Grammar » A1 Grammar lessons and exercises » Verbs + to + infinitive and verbs + -ing » Page 2
Exercises Explanation Downloads
  • Verbs + to + infinitive and verbs + -ing

    Exercise 2

    Choose the correct infinitive or -ing forms to complete these sentences.

    Page 1 of 2

    1 When I was a child, I hated ______ to school.
    a.
    b.
    c.
    2 I hope _____ a good lawyer.
    a.
    b.
    c.
    3 He's very unfit; he needs _____ more exercise.
    a.
    b.
    c.
    4 A: 'Would you like _____?' B: 'No, thanks. I don't like _____.'
    a.
    b.
    c.
    5 I don't like _____ early, but I need ______ it.
    a.
    b.
    c.

     

  • Verbs + -ing

    Some verbs in English are followed by another verb in the -ing form. The most common of these verbs are verbs of liking and disliking: love, like, enjoy, don’t mind, don’t like, hate. If we use another verb after these verbs, it often takes the -ing form.

    • I love going to the gym. 
    • I like reading
    • I enjoy travelling
    • I don’t mind cooking
    • I don’t like doing homework. 
    • I hate getting up early. 

    The second verb is in the -ing form in the past, too.

    • When I was a child, I hated going to school.
    • When I was a child, I hated went to school.

    -ing spelling

    You can check the spelling of the -ing form of the verbs in the table below.

    Download full-size image from Pinterest

    Verbs + to-infinitive

    Many verbs in English are followed by to-infinitive. Some of these verbs are forget, hope, learn, need, offer, plan, remember, start, want and would like.

    • I forgot to turn off the light. 
    • I hope to see you soon. 
    • I‘m learning to drive
    • We need to arrive early. 
    • She offered to help us. 
    • We are planning to go to France. 
    • Remember to lock the door. 
    • I want to go home. 
    • I would like to buy a new computer. 

    The second verb takes the to-infinitive form in the past too.

    • I wanted to go home.
    • I wanted to went home.

    Would like

    The verb would like (or ‘d like) is different from like. We use would like + to + infinitive, and we normally use like + -ing verb to talk about general preference. You can learn more about this topic here.

    • I‘d like to study English. 
    • I like studying English. 

    The meaning is also different.

    • I‘d like to study English. (=I want to do it.)
    • I like studying English. (=I enjoy it.)

    We use the question would you like… when we offer or suggest something.

    • Would you like a cup of coffee?
    • Would you like to dance with me?
  • We are working on this!

    We're developing a NEW LEARNING PLATFORM with a subscription plan that includes additional features at an affordable price. One of those features will be PDF downloads.

    Learn more!