Tag: to + infinitive

This time in our structure help we continue to talk about patterns when we have two verbs together. In our previous posts we saw the patterns;

verb + to + infinitive

and

verb + verb-ing

And we saw a list of verbs which require these patterns.

This time we’re going to look at a group of verbs which can follow both of these patterns and which have the same meaning.

like, prefer, love, hate, continue, start, begin

So the following sentences are both correct and mean essentially the same thing.

I like to fly gliders.
I like flying gliders.

Here’s another example;

I started to train when I was seventeen.
I started training when I was seventeen.

Now try to write some examples of your own.

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Have a great day!

This time in our structure help we continue to talk about patterns when we have two verbs together. Last week we saw the pattern;

I wanted to travel last week.
verb + to + infinitive

And we saw a list of verbs which require this patten.

Now let’s have a look at another example;

I enjoy flying small planes.

In this example we have two verbs together – enjoy and fly – and the first verb tells us the tense of the sentence (present simple) the second verb follows in an ‘ing’ form. So the patten in this situation is;

verb + verb-ing

Our first verb uses the correct tense and conjugation necessary and the second verb is always in the verb-ing form. There are other verbs which require the same structure as ‘enjoy’ when used with a second verb. Here are some of the most common.

enjoy, mind, stop, finish, suggest

Look at some of the examples below and then try to write examples of your own.

They enjoyed visiting the cockpit last week.
We finished cleaning the plane after 25 minutes.
He doesn’t mind working on Saturdays.
We suggested delaying the departure.

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Have a great day!

This time in our structure help we talk about using verbs together with second verbs. We are all familiar with using verbs with nouns (objects) after them, for example;

I want a new headset.

But sometimes we want to use a verb with a second verb directly after it, for example;

I want to travel next week.

In these circumstances there are specific forms that we have to use with the second verb. In our example above, after the verb ‘want’ our second verb follows the pattern ‘to + infinitive’. It doesn’t matter which tense we choose for our first verb (want), we must follow the same structure for our second verb (travel).

I wanted to travel last week.

So with the verb ‘want’ (even in the past), we use the structure;

want + to + infinitive

There are many other verbs which require the same structure as ‘want’ when used with a second verb. Here are some of the most common.

want, hope, need, plan, expect, promise, decide, offer, refuse, try, forget, learn

Look at some of the examples below and then try to write examples of your own.

We hope to land in 15 minutes.
They tried to rebook the passenger.
They offered to give the passenger a refund.
He will need to arrive early tomorrow.

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Have a great day!