Consecutive verbs in English

Consecutive or catenative verbs - when one verb directly follows another: when to use an -ing form, and when to use an infinitive

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Gerund or infinitive?

Alphabetical table of verbs

1. Gerund or infinitive ?  The main principles

Many learners of English have difficulty knowing whether the second verb in a linked verb pair should be a gerund in -ing, or an infinitive with to. As these common examples show, different verbs use different structures.
Confused ?  That's understandable!  But luckily there are a couple of general principles that will help you know which structure to use.

• Type 1 verbs : When the first verb is prospective, i.e. it looks (or looked)  towards the future, the second verb is the consequence or follow-on of the first verb. In this case the second verb can almost always – and with many verbs must – be used in the form of an infinitive with to: sample verbs: ask,  decide, expect, hope, intend, need, plan, promise, want,

• Type 2 verbs. When the first verb expresses an emotion, a permanence, or a principle, the second verb is most likely to be in the form of a gerund.  Sample verbs : be afraid / tired of ... etc , can't stand, detest, dislike, enjoy, hate, keep,  keep on, like, love,

• Other verbs.  Not all consecutive verbs are type 1 or type 2. Several other consecutive or catenative verbs do not fit into either of these types. There are also verbs of obligation or prevention, and causative verbs, which are not really consecutive verbs, as the two verbs are always separated in active structures by a noun or pronoun.  See ► verbs of authority 
• Infinitive without to ?  No ! Let's not make things complicated! Unlike modals (will, can etc.), and with one exception, consecutive verbs are never followed by a short infinitive without to !  The exception is let, which has to be followed by a short infinitive. But apart from a few idiomatic phrases such as Don't let go,  let is not a consecutive verb, and cannot be directly followed by a second verb.  Just a few other verbs can be used consecutively and followed by a short infinitive without to  (dare, help, go ...) but this is optional, an exception to the rule, not another structure.
• IMPORTANT ! Non-consecutive verbs.  There are a lot more verbs which, in the passive, can be directly followed by a second verb, just like those consecutive verbs that can be used in the passive.
  
  Examples:
  I was told to go home  
  My brother was taught to speak English by Mrs. Jones .
  He was believed to be in New York at the time
  The child was seen getting into a black car
  However in active statements, the two verbs must be separated by at least a noun or pronoun
  
  Examples:
  The boss told me to go home
  Mrs. Jones taught my brother to speak English.
  People believed him to be in New York at the time.
  Someone saw the child getting into a black car.
  Verbs that are used like this are not consecutive verbs, but normal (non-consecutive) verbs followed by an infinitive phrase or a gerund phrase.
  
  

2. Alphabetical list of 80 common consecutive verbs

• Note that apart from allow, used as an example, the table below does not include ► verbs of authority (permit, forbid, let ), modal verbs, or non-consecutive verbs.

In this table, each verb is listed in the form of a short and realistic example.  

Verb, in sample form	Type	followed by a gerund (-ing).	followed by an infinitive with to.	Notes
He admitted		doing it  or  to doing it
He advised	1	taking the train.	us to take the train	Depends on the structure
I can afford	1	(rare)	to buy a new car	Gerund sometimes used in negative structures
I agreed	1		to meet him at 8.
I aim	1		to finish on time
I allow	1		you to go home now.	Cannot be used consecut-ively in the active.  A second subject is essential
I appreciate	2	being here.
I arranged	1		to meet him.
She asked	1		to go home.
She attempted	1		to hide.
I avoid	2	travelling on busy days
I can't bear	2	living in London	to be without you.	Slightly different meanings.
He begged	1		to stay.
I begin		(rare)	to understand.
He didn't bother		telling anyone	to tell anyone.	Either structure possible
I choose	1		to remain silent.
She completed		filling in the form.
She consented			to marry him.
She considered		going to South Africa.
He continued	2	living in London	to live in London.	The same meaning.
But !!   He went on	2	living in London	to live in London.	Take care! Two different meanings
He dares	1		to argue with me.	or: argue with me.
He decided	1		to stop smoking.
I delayed		going to New York.
To deny		having been present.
He deserves	1		to be punished.
I detest	2	eating fish.
I dislike	2	eating fish.
I enjoy	2	eating fish.
I expect	1		to win first prize.
He failed			to win a prize.
He finished		building the wall.
She forget			to say she was gloing home.
I am going	1	swimming.	to swim.	Take care! Slightly different meanings
He happened			to hear her.
He helped			to paint the garage.	Take care!  Also ..paint the garage.
I couldn't help		hearing what you said.		Take care!
I hesitate	1		to do that.
I hope	1		to be there
He imagined	2	living in Tahiti.
I intend	1		to be there.
He will learn			to speak English
I like or love	2	being with you	to be with you	Either structure possible
But !!   I would like	2	living in London	to live in London.	Take care! Slightly different meanings
I long	1		to be with you.
It means	2	starting again.		Take care! in the sense of implies
He means	1		to start again	Take care! in the sense of plans
I don't mind	2	living in London.
I miss	2	seeing you.
He neglected			to say he was going out.
He offered	1		to help
I plan	1	being here by 8.	to be here by 8.	The gerund form is not common
She practiced		singing all day.
I prefer	2	living here	to go by train.
They prepared	1		to welcome the Queen.
I pretended			to laugh.
She proceeded (went on)	1		to win the match.
I promise	1		to be good.
I propose	1	staying here	to go home.	Depends on the context.
I recall		living in London.
I recommend		seeing this film	you to see this film	Depends on the context.
He refused	1		to change his mind.
I remembered		living in London.	to shut the door.	Take care! Different meanings.
I regret	2	having done that.
I resumed		reading my book.
She risked		being seen.
It seems			to be OK.
I can't stand	2	living in London.
I started		reading.	to read.	Either structure possible
I stopped		reading.	to have a drink.	Take care! Two different meanings
I suggest		going home now.
I swear	1		to tell the truth.
I tend			to agree with you.
He threatened	1		to hit me.
Will you try		opening this for me!	to open it ?	Slightly different meanings
He undertakes	1		to finish it by midnight.
I'm waiting	1		to go home.
I want	2	to go home.
I wish	2	to go home.

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