NOTES

1. These verbs can also be followed by the past subjunctive. 2. The active form of make is followed by the bare infinitive in the idiomatic

expression make do and elsewhere by the object+infinitive. In the passive, Be made is followed by to+infinitive.

3. These verbs can also be followed by the object+V-ing.4. These verbs can also be linked to another verb by and5. Until recently, intend was always followed by to+infinitive. Current usage is

more accepting of V-ing, but to+infinitive is still more common.6. Prefer is also the modal equivalent of would rather.7. When counting the number of parts:

a. the verb and any adverbs and prepositions should be counted.b. adjectives and past participles should be counted only if they come before

a final preposition.c. Initial modal verbs should not be counted. Note, however, that

i. can't in front of a verb makes it more likely that it will be followed by V-ing, whereas

ii. would in front of a verb makes it more likely that it will be followed by to+infinitive.

8. When followed by V-ing:

8. When followed by to+infinitive:

8. When followed by object+to+infinitive:

a) Like means enjoy (either actively or passively and sometimes ambiguously.)b) Love means adore (either actively or passively and sometimes ambiguously.)

a) Like means enjoy and actively try to make it a habitb) Love means adore and actively make it a habitc) Would like means have an inclinationd) Would love means desire

a) Like means expectb) Would like means wantc) Would love means desired)Would like for indicates want with resignation that it may be unlikelye) Would love for indicates desire with desperation

a) I like dancing. (It isn't clear if I mean watching it or doing it.)b) I love skiing. (It isn't clear if I mean watching it or doing it.)

a) I like to arrive on time.b) I love to ski and do so whenever I can.c) I would like to go if I could.d) I would love to go.

a) I like my staff to be neat and tidy.b) I would like you to go.c) I would love them to do that.d) I would like for it to happen.e) I would love for it to happen.

There is no need to learn which verb is followed by V-ing or to+infinitive, because the choice is:

o automatic when the rules on the Venn diagram applyo determined by the meaning and use of the verb.o If the action happens over a period of time use V-ing, if there is a definite

purpose use to+infinitive.

You should always make a sensible choice if you use the tables below:

Table 1: Differences of meaning existing in all choices of V-ing/to+infinitive after a verb:V-ing: To+infinitive:Verb aspectAction is/was/is arranged to be in progress

Action is potential or hypothetical, and not in progress

PurposePurpose is weak or half-hearted Purpose is often strong and single-mindedNoun-verb continuumRelatively more noun-like Relatively more verb-like

Table 2:

Differences of meaning existing in choices of V-ing/to+infinitive after a verb when these aspects of meaning are addressed. (They aren't always.):V-ing: To+infinitive:Constancy/ChangeConstant ChangeOutlookIntroverted Extroverted

o V-ing can often be found as the subject of a sentence. To+infinitive can be the subject of a sentence if it is the answer to “Why did...?” questions. In other situations it tends to produce a rather stilted style.

o Prepositions on their own need to form prepositional phrases and so are always followed by V-ing.

o Phrasal verbs ending with prepositions are usually followed by V-ing but can be followed by to+infinitive if their meaning corresponds to any of the ideas in the right-hand column of the the table. Put in, which often occurs with to transfer, for instance, can only be followed by to+infinitive.

9. Have followed by:

a. the object and bare infinitive is used to get something done. - Have the waiter bring some more wine.

b. the object+to+infinitive implies either:i. possession of that object, or that - I have a car to travel to work.ii. have is delexical - Have a bath to get clean.iii. to+infinitive is used to show strong external obligation. - I have to

go.

10. Regret can only be followed by an object when the object is in the form of a possessive and abstract noun - He regretted his decision to leave.

11. Leave can be followed by

a. the bare infinitive in the phrase leave go, which is a more informal way of - saying let go;

b. the object and bare infinitive when the following verb is be eg “Leave him be,” - which means leave him alone; or

c. the object, to and the infinitive where the object is a place and the verb is the reason for leaving.

12. Go on, in addition to the differences explained at the bottom of the diagram, can be followed by an object+to+infinitive. The object in such cases will be some sort of media, or a platform of communication or entertainment e.g. the radio, the television or the stage and to+infinitive will be the purpose for using

such a form of media or platform. He went on the radio to appeal for the return of his daughter.

13. Need and dare are described as semi-modals. They can be followed by the bare infinitive :

a. in the negative - We needn't go now; I daren't think, andb. to a smaller extent by certain idiomatic/fossilised constructions - If need

be; I dare say.