Verbs + infinitive or -ing form

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• Verbs followed by either -ing or infinitive with to
• Verbs with an object, followed by either -ing or infinitive with to
• Verbs normally followed by infinitive with to
• Verbs normally followed by -ing
• Verbs followed by infinitive without to
• Verbs followed by an object and to

Verbs followed by either -ing or infinitive with to

• Can't bear, Hate, Like, Love, Prefer

  • To: habitual preferences, slabší výraz, něčím podmíněné, zvyklost
    • We like to go to the cinema on Friday.
  • -ing: dělám to rád za všech okolností
    • I like skiing.
  • Not like - think it is wrong to
    • I don't like to disturb colleagues at home.

• Attempt, Begin, Continue, Intend, Plan, Propose, Start

  • There is no difference in meaning between the two forms.
  • Suddenly it began raining.
  • Suddenly it began to rain.
  • Intend, Plan, Propose can be used with that-clause

• Forget, Remember

  • To: obligation (povinnost)
    • I had to phone the office but I forgot to do it.
    • Please remember to turn off the lights when you leave.
  • -ing: refers to past events
    • I don't remember learning to walk.
    • Have you forgotten writing the application form?
  • that-clause (both)
    • I didn't remember that I had to phone the office.
    • Have you forgotten that you wrote the application form?

• Try

  • To: something attempted (failed or succeeded)
    • I tried to warn him, but it was too late.
    • We tried to contact her three times, but there was no answer.
  • -ing: making an experiment, new experience
    • Try taking an aspirin. You'll feel better.
    • Have you tried windsurfing? It's great fun.

• Go on

  • To: what happened next
    • The prime minister went out to praise the chancellor.
    • Jim went on to become managing director of the company.
  • -ing: continuing an activity
    • She went on working even though it was late.
    • You can't go on working such long hours without risking your health.

• Mean

  • To: intention (záměr), překládáme spíše jako chtít, mít v úmyslu
    • Sorry, I meant to tell you about the party. / Promiň, chtěl jsem ti říct o té párty.
    • Did you mean to write this sentence, or was it a mistake? / Chtěl jsi napsat tuto větu, nebo to byla chyba?
  • -ing: what is involved
    • If we catch the early train, it will mean getting up at 5 a.m.
    • Being tolerant means accepting people as they are.
  • that-clause: meaning is explained
    • Catching the early train means that we will have to get up at 5 a.m.
    • Being tolerant means that you accept people as they are.

• Regret

  • To: speaker's regrets, formal statements
    • I regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful.
  • -in: regret about the past
    • I regret saying that to him.
    • It seemed the right thing at the time, but now I regret doing it.
  • that-clause (both)
    • I regret that I said that to him.
    • It seemed the right thing at the time, but now I regret that I did it.

• Stop

  • To: intention (záměr)
    • I stopped to buy some bread.
  • -ing: refers to the ending an activity
    • The baby has stopped waking up during the night now.

• Hear, See, Watch

  • Infinitive without to: the action is complete
    • We watched all the cars cross the finish line.
    • I saw the car crash into the wall.
  • -ing: the action is still in progress
    • I heard someone coming up the stairs.
    • I saw her working in the garden.

Verbs with an object, followed by either -ing or infinitive with to

• Allow, Forbid, Permit

  • With an object and to
    • The school forbids students to smoke in the classroom.
  • With an object -ing form
    • The school does not allow / forbid / permit smoking.

• Consider

  • Opinion: object and to / that-clause
    • People considered her to be the finest pianist of her generation.
    • We consider that she has behaved badly.
  • Passive is possible
    • What is considered to be the best way of dealing with the problem?
  • Think about: -ing
    • At one point I considered emigrating to Canada.

• Imagine

  • To (očekávat) / -ing (představit si)
  • I imagined the castle to be haunted. / Představoval jsem si, že v zámku straší.
  • I couldn't imagine (her) living in a place like that. / Nedokázal jsem si představit, že by žila na takovém místě.
  • that-clause means suppose (předpokládat)
    • I imagine that you'd like a cup of tea after your long journey. / Předpokládám, že bys chtěl šálek čaje po tvé dlouhé cestě.

• Require

  • They required him to fill out a form.
  • He was required to show them his passport.
  • -ing (can be used as *need)
    • These letters require answering.

• Recommend

  • To: object and to
    • I recommend you to see a doctor.
  • -ing: object and -ing
    • I recommend seeing a doctor.

Verbs normally followed by infinitive with to

* Verbs can be followed by that-clause.

• Appear, (So) happen, Seem

  • that-clause: Impersonally (vždy s it)
  • It appears that I've made a mistake.
  • It so happens that he is my brother.
  • It seems that Mary is going to win.

• Want

  • Can be used as *need.
  • The car wants cleaning. (needs cleaning)

Verbs normally followed by -ing

* Verbs can be followed by that-clause.

• Admit (přiznat)

  • They admitted (to) being members of the organization. (with or without to)
  • He admitted that he was wrong. (with that is possible)

• Appreciate

  • Object instead of a possesive is possible (everyday speech)
  • I appreciate your trying to help. (possesive)
  • I appreciate you trying to help. (object)

• Involve

  • Involve has an impersonal subject
  • Being an athlete ivolves regular training.
  • The company has a plan, which involves recruiting 500 new staff.

Verbs followed by infinitive without to

• Help

  • I helped George (to) carry the bags.
  • Reading this book article helped me (to) understand the problems involved.

• Make (přinutit) and expressions with make

  • We shall have to make do.
  • We shall have to make do with what we have.
  • They made me leave.
  • With the passive, to is used
    • I was made to leave.

• Let and expressions with let

  • They ddin't let me leave.
  • Let me go.

Verbs followed by an object and to

* Verbs can be followed by that-clause.

• Samples

  • I begger her to reconsider her decision.
  • They advised me to check all the details online. (gave advice)
  • They advised her that her visa was ready to be collected. (informed)

• Dare can be used without to when there is no object

  • They dared him to jump. / Vyzvali ho, aby skočil. (challenge, výzva)
  • I didn't dare (to) say anything. / Neodvážil jsem se nic říct. (neodvážit se)
  • How dare you! / Jak se opovažuješ! (bez předmětu, je to otázka)
  • How dare you suggest that! / Jak se opovažuješ navrhovat!