Unit 71 Verb + `to'- or `-ing'

Main points

* Some verbs take a `to'-infinitive clause or an `-ing' clause with little difference in meaning. Others take a `to'-infinitive or `-ing' clause, but the meaning is different.

1 The following verbs can be followed by a `to'-infinitive clause or an `-ing' clause, with little difference in meaning.

attempt, begin, bother, continue, fear, hate, love, prefer, start, try

It started raining.
A very cold wind had started to blow.
The captain didn't bother answering.
I didn't bother to answer.

Note that if these verbs are used in a continuous tense, they are followed by a `to'-infinitive clause.
The company is beginning to export to the West.
We are continuing to make good progress.

After `begin', `continue', and `start', you use a `to'-infinitive clause with the verbs `understand', `know', and `realize'.
I began to understand her a bit better.

2 You can often use `like' with a `to'-infinitive or an `-ing' clause with little difference in meaning.
I like to fish.
I like fishing.

However, there is sometimes a difference. You can use `like' followed by a `to'-infinitive clause to say that you think something is a good idea, or the right thing to do. You cannot use an `-ing' clause with this meaning.
They like to interview you first.
I didn't like to ask him.

3 After `remember', `forget', and `regret', you use an `-ing' clause if you are referring to an event after it has happened.
I remember discussing it once before.
I'll never forget going out with my old aunt.
She did not regret accepting his offer.

You use a `to'-infinitive clause after `remember' and `forget' if you are referring to an event before it happens.
I must remember to send a gift for her child.
Don't forget to send in your entries.

After `regret', in formal English, you use a `to'-infinitive clause with these verbs to say that you are sorry about what you are saying or doing now:

announcelearnsee
informsaytell

I regret to say that it was all burned up.

4 If you `try to do' something, you make an effort to do it. If you `try doing' something, you do it as an experiment, for example to see if you like it or if it is effective.
I tried to explain.
Have you tried painting it?

5 If you `go on doing' something, you continue to do it. If you `go on to do' something, you do it after you have finished doing something else.
I went on writing.
He later went on to form a computer company.

6 If you `are used to doing' something, you are accustomed to doing it. If you `used to do' something, you did it regularly in the past, but you no longer do it now.
We are used to working together.
I used to live in this street.

7 After `need', you use a `to'-infinitive clause if the subject of `need' is also the subject of the `to'-infinitive clause. You use an `-ing' form if the subject of `need' is the object of the `-ing' clause.
We need to ask certain questions.
It needs cutting.

Unit 72 Verbs with other clauses

Main points

* `Make' and `let' can be followed by an object and a base form.

* Some verbs of perception can be followed by an object and an `-ing' clause, or an object and a base form.

* `Have' and `get' can be followed by an object and a past participle.

* `Dare' is followed by a `to'-infinitive clause or a base form.

1 You can use an object and a base form after `make' to say that one person causes another person to do something, or after `let' to say they allow them to do something.
My father made me go for the interview.
Jenny let him talk.

2 Some verbs of perception are used with an object and an `-ing' clause if an action is unfinished or continues over a period of time, and with an object and a base form if the action is finished.

feelhearseewatch

He heard a distant voice shouting.
Dr Hochstadt heard her gasp.

You normally use an `-ing' clause after `notice', `observe', `smell', and `understand'.
I could smell Chinese vegetables cooking.
We can understand them wanting to go.

3 You can use an object and a past participle after `have' or `get', when you want to say that someone arranges for something to be done. `Have' is slightly more formal.
We've just had the house decorated.
We must get the car repaired.

You also use `have' and `get' with an object and a past participle to say that something happens to someone, especially if it is unpleasant.
She had her purse stolen.
He got his car broken into at the weekend.

4 You use `have' followed by an object and an `-ing' clause, or an object and a past participle, when you want to say that someone causes something to happen, either intentionally or unintentionally.
Alan had me looking for that book all day.
He had me utterly confused.

5 You use `want' and `would like' with an object and a past participle to indicate that you want something to be done.
I want the work finished by January 1st.
How would you like your hair cut, sir?

6 `Dare' can be followed by a `to'-infinitive clause or a base form in negative or interrogative sentences:

* when there is an auxiliary or modal in front of `dare'
He did not dare to walk to the village.
What bank would dare offer such terms?

* when you use the form `dares' or `dared' (but not `dares not' or `dared not')
No one dares disturb him.
No other manager dared to compete.

You must use a base form in:

* negative or interrogative sentences without an auxiliary or modal before `dare'
I daren't ring Jeremy again.
Nobody dare disturb him.
Dare she go in?

* negative sentences with `dares not' or `dared not'
He dares not risk it.
Sonny dared not disobey.

Note that the phrase `how dare you' is always followed by a base form.
How dare you speak to me like that?

`Dare' is rarely used in affirmative sentences.

Unit 73 Link verbs

Main points

* Link verbs are used to join the subject with a complement.

* Link verbs can have adjectives, noun groups, or `to'-infinitive clauses as complements.

* You can use `it' and `there' as impersonal subjects with link verbs.

1 A small but important group of verbs are followed by a complement rather than an object. The complement tells you more about the subject. Verbs that take complements are called `link' verbs.

appear, be, become, feel, get, go, grow, keep, look, prove, remain, seem, smell, sound, stay, taste, turn

I am proud of these people.
She was getting too old to play tennis.
They looked all right to me.

2 Link verbs often have adjectives as complements describing the subject.
We felt very happy.
He was the tallest in the room.
See Units 31 to 33 and Unit 47 for more information about adjectives after link verbs.


3 You can use link verbs with noun groups as complements to give your opinion about the subject.
He's not the right man for it.
She seemed an ideal person to look after them.

You also use noun groups as complements after `be', `become', and `remain' to specify the subject.
He became a geologist.
Promises by MPs remained just promises.
This one is yours.

Note that you use object pronouns after `be'.
It's me again.

4 Some link verbs can have `to'-infinitive clauses as complements.

appeargrowprove
getlookseem

He appears to have taken my keys.
She seemed to like me.

These verbs, and `remain', can also be followed by `to be' and a complement.
Mary seemed to be asleep.
His new job proved to be a challenge.

5 You can use `it' and `there' as impersonal subjects with link verbs.
It seems silly not to tell him.
There appears to have been a mistake.
See Units 17 and 18 for more information.


You can use `be' with some abstract nouns as the subject, followed by a `that'-clause or a `to'-infinitive clause as the complement.

advice, agreement, answer, decision, idea, plan, problem, solution

The answer is that they are not interested in it.
The idea was to spend more money on training.

Some can only have a `that'-clause.

conclusion, explanation, fact, feeling, reason, report, thought, understanding

The fact is that I can't go to the party.