Verbs followed by to Verb or Verb-ing

1. Verb + infinitive

Some verbs are followed by an infinitive of the next word is a verb:

to offer

to want

to seem

to decide

to hope

to forget

to mean (=intend, plan)

to expect

to manage

to refuse

to promise

   It was getting late and there were no buses so I offered to take them home in my car.

   We were very busy but we managed to finish before 6 p.m

   He hit one of the boys but he didn't mean to do it, I mean to go but I forgot.

   I asked her to carry the suitcases but she refuse to help.

   I don't expect to see them before next week.

   They promised to phone as soon as they arrive.

2. Verb + infinitive without "to"

They are:

make S.O do S.T

let S.O do S.T

   My parent make me do my homework every night.

   My parent let me go out after I've done my homework.

3. Verb + -ing form or infinitive

Some verbs can be followed by an -ing form or infinitive, but the meaning is very similar:

to begin:                  bắt đầu

to continue:             tiếp tục
to love:                    yêu
to prefer:                 thích hơn
to start:                   bắt đầu

to like

to prefer

But with some verbs there is difference is meaning:

   I remembered to buy a present for my brother. (= I didn't forget)

   I remember buying her a present. (= it's in my memory, it happened and I remember)

try     (+ to V: cố gắng…); (+V-ing: thử…)

like    (+ to V: muốn…); (+V-ing: thích…)
stop  (+ to V: dừng lại để…); (+V-ing: chấm dứt…)
remember (+ to V: nhớ sẽ…); (+V-ing: nhớ là đã…)
forget (+ to V: quên làm…); (+V-ing: quên là đã)
regret  (+ to V: thật tiết khi…); (+V-ing: thật tiết là đã)
propose  (+ to V: đề nghị…); (+V-ing: gợi ý)
mean     (+ to V: muốn nói, ngụ ý); (+V-ing: cần phải)
manage       (+ to V: xoay sở); (+V-ing: quản lý)