Sage-Tips

When should we use ing or to after a verb?

The difference in meaning is often small. The -ing form emphasises the verb itself. The to-infinitive puts the emphasis more on the preference for, or the results of, the action.

When the preposition is followed by a verb the gerund ing form must be used?

-ing Form after Preposition If we want to use a verb after a preposition, it must be in -ing form. It is impossible to use an infinitive after a preposition. So, for example, we say: I will call you after arriving at the office.

Do we use gerund or infinitive after prefer?

We can use a to-infinitive or an -ing form after prefer. A to-infinitive is more common. She’s not keen on coffee. She prefers to drink tea.

Why do we use ing after preposition?

Preposition + gerund When the prepositions in, at, with, of, for, about and so on are used before a verb/adjective, the verb must use – ing. Note that the preposition does not belong to the verb, but rather complements it, in other words, it completes the idea expressed by the subject and the action.

Can we use gerund after preposition?

As a general rule, gerunds are always after prepositions. Noun clauses come after prepositions. When you put a verb after it, the verb must be a gerund.

Can you use ing in past tense?

Yes, you can use -ing verbs in a past tense.

Why we add ing to a word?

Adding “ing” to the ending of a verb in the English language changes both the meaning and the function of the verb. In some cases, it causes the verb to act as a noun or adjective, whereas in others, it changes the tense of the verb.

Can we use infinitive after like?

Like and love can be followed by the -ing form and the to + infinitive form. They are both correct.

Do we use to after like?

Would + hate, like, love, prefer When we use would or ‘d with hate, like, love, prefer, we use the to-infinitive, not the -ing form: We would love to hear you sing. Not: We would love hearing you sing.

What is the difference between an ‘-ING’ and a ‘to+ infinitive’ verb?

In this lesson you’ll learn about the key differences between an ‘-ing’ verb and a ‘to+ infinitive’. Although there are ‘rules’ and ‘lists’ that you can learn, it is better to develop confidence using real examples. I try to think of a ‘to + infinitive’ verb as a NEXT ACTION, whereas the ‘ ing’ verb is a progressive, continuous action.

What is the difference between used to + infinitive and be / get used?

Read the explanation to learn more. Used to + infinitive and be / get used to + – ing look similar but they have very different uses. We use used to + infinitive to talk about a past situation that is no longer true. It tells us that there was a repeated action or state in the past which has now changed.

How do you decide whether to use a verb in its -ing form?

Sometimes we need to decide whether to use a verb in its: to-infinitive form – to do, to sing. or in its: -ing form – doing, singing. For example, only one of the following sentences is correct: I dislike to work late. I dislike working late.

How do you use the -ING and past participle correctly?

Learning to use the “-ing,” the infinitive (“to” + base form of the verb), and the past participle (in regular verbs, this is formed by adding “-ed” to the end of the verb) verb forms correctly can be challenging. When do you use “finishing” versus “to finish ” versus “finished”?