Gerunds, Infinitives & Bare Infinitives: English Verb Patterns
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1. Gerunds
1.1. After certain verbs as direct object
Consider, continue, deny, detest, dislike, enjoy, finish, hate, like, love, miss, prefer, recommend, suggest...
Example: He detests being late.
1.2. After a preposition
Example: He insisted on seeing her.
1.3. Certain expressions
Be/get accustomed to, be/get used to, can't stand, can't help, don't mind, wouldn't mind, feel like, give up, it's no use, look forward to...
Example: It's no use waiting for him. He won't come.
1.4. As subject (General)
Example: Reading French is more difficult than speaking it.
2. Infinitives
2.1. After certain verbs
Agree, appear, choose, decide, expect, hesitate, hope, learn, offer, plan, promise, prove, refuse, seem, want, wish, ...
Example: He decided to share his food with her.
2.2. Verbs + object + infinitive
Ask, help, invite, persuade, teach, tell, want, warn, remind, ... (verbs followed by an object and then an infinitive)
Example: Ask Tom to bring the tests.
2.3. After adjectives and adverbs
Example: It's more difficult to read French than to speak it.
2.4. As subject (Specific)
Example: To hesitate would have been fatal.
3. Bare Infinitives (without to)
3.1. Modal verbs
Can, could, may, might, must, should, ...
Example: He may be late for work.
3.2. Perception verbs
Hear, feel, listen, notice, see... + object +
3.2.a Bare infinitive (whole action)
If we refer to the whole action, use the bare infinitive.
Example: I saw them play football (the whole match).
3.2.b -ing form (part of the action)
If we refer to part of the action, use the -ing form.
Example: I saw them playing football (part of it).
3.3. Make and let + object
Example: She made me stand up.
4. Verbs Followed by Both
4.1. Same meaning
Begin, intend, propose, start
Example: He began to work / He began working.
4.2. With different meaning
4.2.a Remember and Forget
a.1. Infinitive: First you remember, then the action
Example: When you go out, remember to lock the door.
Example: I forgot to buy the bread.
a.2. Gerund: First the action, and then you remember
Example: I remember seeing the Queen when I was 10.
Example: I have forgotten meeting her before.
4.2.b Stop
b.1. Infinitive: Pause in order to (pararse para...)
Example: He stopped to look at the landscape.
b.2. Gerund: Not continue (dejar de...)
Example: Stop talking!