Using two verbs together to add information about actions

Using an infinitive or an -ing form

page 8 of 8

Teaching implications

It may be useful to point out the following pattern related to the meaning of the verbs used in double-verb constructions :

	The infinitive very often expresses something hypothetical, future, unfulfilled, ie something that is potential or virtual (rather than real).
	The -ing form very often expresses something vivid or fulfilled, ie something that is real or actual.

These tendencies will not help with every double-verb structure; however, according to this principle, it is easy to see why verbs which are related to particular areas of meaning tend to take either the infinitive or the -ing form. For example, verbs such as appear are typically followed by the infinitive:

The ferry appeared to veer away from the tug just before the collision.
(SCMP 18/9/92)

From the above example it is clear that the verb appear has been chosen because of the doubtful "reality" it represents.

This principle also helps to explain why verbs relating to "time" are typically followed by the -ing form:

I'd better stop doing it. (Bank of English)

From the above example, it is clear that you can only stop doing things you have actually been doing.

For further information about double-verb structures related to the areas of "reality" and "time", see Using two verbs together to add information about actions: Kinds of information expressed by double-verb structures.

Introduction
Verbs followed by infinitive/-ing with little change in meaning
Verbs followed by infinitive/-ing with a change in meaning
Verbs always followed by the -ing form
Verbs always followed by the to-infinitive
Verbs always followed by the bare infinitive
Verbs typically followed by the bare infinitive
Teaching implications