Some verbs are followed by the -ing form of another verb. You have to learn which verbs take -ing. The groups below make this easier.
The -ing form can be a negative: I don't mind not going. It can also be passive, with being + past participle: Nobody likes being kept waiting.
| Group | Verbs |
|---|---|
| Liking and disliking | detest, dislike, enjoy, fancy, hate, like, love, (don't) mind |
| Thinking and saying | admit, consider, deny, imagine, suggest |
| Others | avoid, finish, keep, miss, practise, stop |
Verbs of perception and some others can take an object and then an -ing form.
Like, love, hate, start and begin can take either pattern. See Verb + to-infinitive: want, decide, forget. A few verbs change meaning: see Verbs that change meaning: -ing or to: stop, remember, forget, try, regret, go on, mean, need, want.
✗I enjoy to swim.
✓I enjoy swimming.
After enjoy, use -ing: enjoy swimming. Enjoy does not take the to-infinitive.
✗She suggested to go home.
✓She suggested going home.
After suggest, use -ing: suggested going. Suggest does not take the to-infinitive in this pattern.
✗He avoided to meet her.
✓He avoided meeting her.
After avoid, use -ing: avoided meeting. Avoid does not take the to-infinitive.
✗He kept to complain.
✓He kept complaining.
After keep, use -ing: kept complaining. Keep does not take the to-infinitive.
See Verb + to-infinitive: want, decide, forget, Verb + object + to-infinitive: tell, want, allow, Verbs that change meaning: -ing or to: stop, remember, forget, try, regret, go on, mean, need, want and Verb + preposition + -ing: apologise for, succeed in, insist on.
Eight questions. Choose one answer for each.