Representing thinking, perceiving, liking and desiring

Using verb patterns to represent desires and needs

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Verb followed by the -ing form

The small number of verbs in this category can be followed by the -ing form which represents the situation or activity which is wanted, required, counted on, etc:

He'd counted on getting away unseen by anybody. (Bank of English)

The following verbs can be followed by the -ing form:

count on  need  look forward to require not face want regret

Introduction
Participants associated with desire verbs
Grammatical patterns associated with the phenomenon
Verb followed by the to-infinitive
Verb followed by a noun group
Verb followed by an object and the to-infinitive
Verb followed by the -ing form
Verb followed by an object and the -ing form
Verb followed by a that clause
Verb followed by an object and an adjective/-ed participle clause
Ellipsis with desire verbs
Present simple v present continuous tense