• There are 3 different groups of verbs + verbs:
    ​
    1) Verb + to + Verb:
    • Some verbs take: Verb + to + verb
    • Example: "She decided to start a new project.
    2) Verb + Verb + -ing:
    • Use the "verb + -ing" form when the second verb describes an ongoing action 
    • Example: "He enjoys running in the park."
    3) Some Verbs Can Take Both Forms:
    • Certain verbs can take either form, and the choice often depends on the nuance or emphasis you want to convey.
    • Example: "She likes to swim in the ocean" (preference), or "She likes swimming in the pool" (activity).

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    1. Infinitive form after "want":
      • Use the base form of the verb (infinitive) after "want."
      • Example: "I want to ride a horse."
    2. Gerund form after certain verbs:
      • Use the gerund form (verb + -ing) after certain verbs, but "want" is not typically one of them.
        • Example: "I enjoy riding horses."
    3. Some Verbs Can Take Both Forms:​
      1. Example: "I like riding horses."
      2. Example: "I like to ride horses."

    Here are eight regular verbs that are typically followed by the "to + infinitive" structure:
    1. Decide:
      • Example: "She decided to go to the beach."
    2. Plan:
      • Example: "We plan to visit the museum tomorrow."
    3. Hope:
      • Example: "I hope to see you soon."
    4. Learn:
      • Example: "He learned to play the piano."
    5. Choose:
      • Example: "They chose to take the scenic route."
    6. Prefer:
      • Example: "I prefer to travel by train."
    7. Agree:
      • Example: "They agreed to meet at the café."
    8. Intend:
      • Example: "She intends to start a new business."

    Here are eight verbs that are typically followed by the gerund form (verb + -ing):
    1. Enjoy:
      • Example: "I enjoy hiking in the mountains."
    2. Avoid:
      • Example: "She avoids eating fast food."
    3. Finish:
      • Example: "He finished painting the room."
    4. Consider:
      • Example: "We are considering buying a new car."
    5. Practice:
      • Example: "They practice playing the guitar every day."
    6. Admit:
      • Example: "He admitted making a mistake."
    7. Imagine:
      • Example: "Can you imagine living in a different country?"
    8. Miss:
      • Example: "I miss spending time with my family."

    Here are eight words that can take either "verb + to + verb" or "verb + verb + -ing" depending on the context:
    1. Begin:
      • "He began to read the book."
      • "She began reading the novel."
    2. Like:
      • "I like to swim in the ocean."
      • "They like swimming in the pool."
    3. Love:
      • "She loves to dance."
      • "He loves dancing at parties."
    4. Start:
      • "We started to cook dinner."
      • "They started cooking before we arrived."
    5. Hate:
      • "I hate to interrupt, but..."
      • "She hates interrupting others."
    6. Continue:
      • "He continued to work on the project."
      • "She continued working despite the interruption."
    7. Pretend:
      • "They pretended to be superheroes."
      • "He pretended being a detective."
    8. Begin:
      • "The concert begins to play classical music."
      • "The concert begins playing classical music."

    These verbs can be used in both structures, but the choice between "verb + to + verb" and "verb + verb + -ing" often depends on the specific context and meaning you want to convey.
Verb Exercise

Choose the Correct Form of the Verb and then click on the blank to see the answer

  1. 1. We enjoy ______ tennis every weekend.
    a) to play
    b) playing
  2. 2. He decided ______ a new language.
    a) to learn
    b) learning
  3. 3. They want ______ the gym after work.
    a) to go to
    b) going to
  4. 4. I hate ______ in long lines.
    a) to wait
    b) waiting
  5. 5. She started ______ a book last night.
    a) to read
    b) reading
  6. 6. We avoid ______ fast food.
    a) to eat
    b) eating
  7. 7. He admitted ______ a mistake.
    a) to make
    b) making
  8. 8. They plan ______ a trip to Europe next summer.
    a) to take
    b) taking
  9. 9. We enjoy ______ board games with friends.
    a) to play
    b) playing
  10. 10. She hopes ______ a successful career.
    a) to have
    b) having
  11. 11. They decided ______ a new business.
    a) to start
    b) starting
  12. 12. I like ______ in the garden.
    a) to work
    b) working
  13. 13. She can imagine ______ in a foreign country.
    a) to live
    b) living
  14. 14. He continues ______ on his novel.
    a) to write
    b) writing
  15. 15. They pretend ______ professional photographers.
    a) to be
    b) being
  16. 16. I hope ______ the top of the mountain someday.
    a) to reach
    b) reaching
  17. 17. They miss ______ their childhood friends.
    a) to play
    b) playing
  18. 18. We plan ______ a picnic next weekend.
    a) to have
    b) having
  19. 19. She admitted ______ a mistake.
    a) to make
    b) making
  20. 20. He likes ______ up early in the morning.
    a) to wake
    b) waking