Using two verbs together to add information about actions
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Using an infinitive or an -ing form | page 2 of 8 |
Verbs followed by infinitive/-ing with little change in meaning
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The following example illustrates a common type of double-verb structure:
He began stealing money from the cash box. (SCMP 26/9/92)
Note that the first verb adds information about the action - in this example it is information related to the "time", ie its starting phase.
The second verb in a double-verb structure is always non-finite, in other words, it will either be in the form of an infinitive (with or without to), or the -ing form. Note that the second verb is dependent on the first for the full meaning of the action or event expressed in the clause.
The second verb in this example is an -ing form; however, the clause could be rewritten using an infinitive with little, if any, change in meaning:
He began stealing money.
He began to steal money.
It is important to note that verbs like begin and start belong to a group
of verbs which allow either the infinitive or the -ing form of the verb following 
. There are, however, restrictions on most verbs as to which
form can follow in double-verb structures.
For further information about double-verb structures as illustrated by the above
example, see 
Using two verbs together to add
information about actions: Kinds of information represented by double-verb structures.
Verbs followed by infinitive/-ing with little change in meaning
