Verbs Usually Followed by -ing

Some verbs are almost always followed by the -ing form of another verb. Here are some examples:

Enjoy: I enjoy listening to music.

Avoid: She avoids eating too much sugar.

Consider: They considered moving to a new city.

Suggest: He suggested meeting earlier.

Finish: We finished working late yesterday.

Mind: Do you mind opening the window?

Have a look at some more examples and some additional verbs.

enjoy (I enjoy working here.)

avoid (She avoids making mistakes.)

consider (They considered moving to London.)

suggest (He suggested getting up early.)

recommend (We recommend taking notes.)

finish (She finished writing the report.)

admit (He admitted forgetting the deadline.)

deny (They denied breaking the rules.)

mind (Do you mind closing the door?)

risk (You risk losing your investment.)

postpone (Let’s postpone having the meeting.)

keep (She keeps asking questions.)

discuss (We discussed launching a new product.)

miss (I miss seeing my colleagues.)

Using the -ing form after these verbs is natural and common. Think of it as the verb “in action” — the activity itself.

Verbs Usually Followed by To + Verb

Other verbs are usually followed by to + the base form of a verb (called the infinitive). Here are some common ones:

Want: I want to learn English.

Decide: She decided to take a break.

Hope: We hope to visit you soon.

Plan: They plan to start a new project.

Promise: He promised to help me.

Need: You need to study more.

Have a look at some more examples and some additional verbs.

agree (They agreed to meet at 10.)

decide (She decided to accept the offer.)

hope (I hope to see you soon.)

plan (We plan to expand next year.)

want (He wants to join the team.)

need (You need to finish the report.)

promise (She promised to come with me.)

offer (They offered to pay.)

refuse (He refused to sign the contract.)

expect (We expect to deliver on time.)

learn (She’s learning to use the new software.)

manage (He managed to solve the problem.)

seem (It seems to be working.)

try (They tried to contact you.)

After these verbs, the to + verb form shows the action you want or plan to do.

Verbs That Can Use Either -ing or To + Verb (With a Difference!)

Some verbs can be followed by either -ing or to + verb, but the meaning changes a little:

Remember

I remember meeting her before. (You recall a past event.)

Remember to call her tomorrow. (Don’t forget to do something in the future.)

Stop

She stopped smoking. (She quit the habit.)

She stopped to smoke. (She stopped what she was doing in order to smoke.)

Try

Try restarting your computer. (Experiment with restarting.)

Try to restart your computer. (Make an effort to restart.)

Tips to Help You Practice

Make a list: Write down verbs with their usual forms and practice making sentences.

Read and listen: Notice how native speakers use these verbs in books, shows, or podcasts.

Speak and write: Don’t be afraid to try! Practice with friends or teachers and ask for feedback.

Use online resources: There are many free exercises and quizzes to help you master these patterns.

Important!

Always check a reliable dictionary or grammar guide if you’re unsure which structure to use. Using the correct form will help you sound more fluent and professional.

Remember, making mistakes with -ing and to + verb is totally normal when learning English. The important thing is to keep practicing and not be afraid to try. Soon, using these verbs correctly will feel much easier, and you’ll notice your English sounding smoother and more natural. Keep this guide close, and enjoy your journey to becoming a stronger English speaker!

  Ready to put your knowledge into action?   Try These Advanced English Practice Questions!