Verbs as Complements

Verbs that are always followed by the infinitive.

Some verbs can take another verb as the complement instead of a noun. Sometimes the verbs functioning as the complement mustbe in the infinitive (to + verb) and sometimes it must be in the gerund ( verb + ing) form.The following verbs are always followed by the infinitive if the complement is a verb.

agree, attempt, claim, decide, demand,

desire, fail, forget, hesitate, hope,

intend, learn, need, offer, plan,

prepare, pretend, refuse, seem, strive

ten, try, want, wish.


- The president will attempt to reduce inflation in the next four years.

- The soldiers are preparing to attack the village.

- Cinthya has agreed to act as a liason between the two countries.


Verbs that are always followed by the gerund.

Other verbs must alwaysbe followed by the gerund. These verbs include:

admit, appreciate, avoid, can’t help, consider,

delay, deny, enjoy, finish, mind,

miss, postpone, practice, quit, recall,

regret, report, resent, resist, resume,

risk, suggest,


- John admitted stealing the jewels.

- Would you mind not smoking in this office?

- Michael was considering that building in its present condition.


Note : These sentences are made negative by adding the negative particle not before the infinitive or gerund.

- John decided not to buy the car.

- We regretted not going to the party last night.

The following verbs can be followed by either the infinitiveor the gerund with no change in meaning.

begin, can’t stand, continue, dread, hate,

like, love, prefer, start.


- He started to study after dinner, OR, He started studying after dinner.

- Joan hates to ride her bicycle to school, OR, Joan hates riding her bicycle to school.


Verbs + prepositions followed by the gerund

approve of , be better of, count on, depend on,

give up, insist on, keep on, put off,

rely on, succeed in, think about, think of,

worry about.
The following expressions contain the preposition to. The word to in these expressions must not be confused with the to in the infinitive. These verb + preposition expressions must also be followed by the gerund.

object to, look forward to, confess to.


- Marry insisted on taking the bus instead of the plane.

- Fred confessed to stealing the jewels.

- Henry is thinking of going to France in August.