Verb Construction 1

87 Verb constructions 1
A Verb + -ing form

A number of verbs are commonly followed by an -ing form.
QUESTIONNAIRE
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
• Do you enjoy studying? Yes, I do.
• Do you mind getting up early? [Is it OK for you, or not?] No, I don’t mind at all.
• Do you like or dislike having your photograph taken? I hate having my picture taken.
• Do you usually avoid speaking to strangers at parties? Yes. I prefer to talk to people that
[try not to do something] I already know.
• Can you imagine being without a car? [think of yourself in No, I can’t. I need my car.
a situation with no car]
• Have you ever considered [thought about] living in Yes, many times. I’d like to live
another country? abroad.
• Would you recommend [advise] having a holiday in the Yes, I would, and I would suggest
capital city of your country? If so, would you suggest going in spring or autumn.
going at a particular time of the year?
Common mistakes
I enjoy going there. (NOT I enjoy to go there.) They suggested leaving early. (NOT They suggested
to leave early.) He recommended staying there. (NOT He recommended to stay there.)
B Verb + to infinitive
I hope to see them next week. [want to see them and believe I will see them]
They agreed to help me. [said they will help]
I intend to leave next month. [plan]
I offered to help them. [said I was happy to help]
I attempted to cook the dinner, but it was terrible. [tried]
I promised to bring her book back. [said I would definitely bring it back]
The shop assistant was very rude, so I demanded to see the manager. [said in a firm way]
C Verb + (object) + preposition + noun/-ing

A: Jo has just rung and asked me for advice about Greece. They’re thinking of1 going there.
B: Well, be careful. They went to India last year on your advice and then blamed2 you for the
terrible holiday they had.
A: That was their fault. They insisted on3 going in the summer when it was far too hot.
1
thinking about going to Greece (often used in the continuous and followed by a noun/-ing form; NOT
I’m thinking to go there.)
2
said you were responsible for something bad, in this case the terrible holiday
3
said they must go (in the summer)
180 English Vocabulary in Use Pre-intermediate and Intermediate

Exercises
87.1 Choose the correct word(s) to complete the sentences.

1 I hope seeing / to see them.
2 They agreed helping / to help me.
3 We enjoy staying / to stay by the sea.
4 I suggested going /to go on the train.
5 She insisted in / on paying for our meal.
6 We must attempt getting / to get there on time.
7 Have you considered working / to work in a bank?
8 I demanded speaking / to speak to the doctor in charge.
9 I asked him help / him for help.
10 They blamed me for / of it.
11 I don’t mind waiting / to wait for you.
12 I try to avoid travelling / to travel in the rush hour.
87.2 Complete the sentences with the most suitable verb.
1 Have you asked the waiter for the bill?
2 My sister is of spending the summer in France if she can afford it.
3 I’ve had a computer for about 20 years; I can’t being without one.
4 We always try to driving into town in the rush hour.
5 The accident wasn’t my fault but they me for it.
6 We’re to see my parents later this week. We had to go last
week, but Madison was ill and we couldn’t go.
7 I meeting your friends; they were really nice.
8 Have you ever moving out of a town and going to live in the country?
9 I offered to drive, but Mason on taking his car because he said he
being a passenger.
10 Ella’s parents weren’t happy with the school, and they to see the
head teacher.
FORMAL
87.3 When you learn new verbs, you may Might I suggest a white wine with your salmon, sir?
need to know the constructions that [+ (that)]
are used with them. A good dictionary I suggest (that) we wait a while before we make any
will give you this information, usually firm decisions.
with examples. Using a good English Liz suggested (that) I try the shop on Mill Road.
dictionary, find the constructions that [+ -ing VERB]
commonly follow these verbs. I suggested putting the matter to the committee.
fancy + pretend + or
decide + or accuse +
87.4 Over to you
Answer the questions in the questionnaire on the opposite page. If possible, ask someone
else the same questions. Then complete the sentences about yourself using the correct
construction after each verb.
I like
I dislike
I don’t mind
I’m thinking
I can’t imagine
I hope
I intend
English Vocabulary in Use Pre-intermediate and Intermediate 181

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87 Verb constructions 1

A Verb + -ing form

C Verb + (object) + preposition + noun/-ing

180 English Vocabulary in Use Pre-intermediate and Intermediate

87.1 Choose the correct word(s) to complete the sentences.

English Vocabulary in Use Pre-intermediate and Intermediate 181

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