Simple Present with Two Verbs

Sometimes we use the verb + infinitive. Sometimes we use the verb + present participle.

I love to watch movies.
I love watching movies.

Here's the hard part: some common verbs can only be paired with an infinitive. Some can only be paired with a present participle. Here are some lists to help you with the most common verbs. These are useful, general patterns. However, there are occasional exceptions due to a verb's meaning or relationship to another verb.

Verb	with Infinitive Verb	with Present Participle Verb	Example
agree	yes	no	He agrees to rent the apartment.
allow	yes (needs an indirect object)	ok (verb acts as noun in this case)	He allowed me to retake the exam. The city allows protesting with government consent.
ask	yes	no	She asked to use the restroom.
apply	yes	no	We applied to take the exam.
arrange	yes	no	They arranged to get their furniture delivered.
avoid	no	yes	He avoids taking the bus.
be	usually not (rare)	yes	I am driving to school. She is working hard.
begin	yes	yes	They begin to take the exam. They begin taking the exam.
believe	not only verb + infinitive; believe - that + infinitive	yes (verb acts as a noun)	He believes that to sing well, he needs more practice. They believe dancing is wrong.
call	yes	no	She calls to talk on the phone.
can	yes, but without "to"	no	I can give you $20 dollars.
choose	yes	no	She chooses to ignore you.
come	yes	no	He comes to help with the project.
claim	yes	no	She claims to know all about the law.
compete	yes	no	We compete to win.
contact	yes (with indirect object)	no	I will contact you to confirm our appointment.
continue	yes	no (rarely)	He continues to work on his business.
decide	yes	no	She decided to leave town.

Keep Learning

Verb List 2    Verb List 3    Verb List 4    Verb List 5    Verb List 6