Verbs As Complements
Verbs That Are Always
Followed By The Infinitive
Some verbs can take another verb as the complement
instead of a noun. Sometimes the verbs functioning as the complement must be. In
the infinitive (to + verb) and sometimes it must be in the gerund (verb + ing)
form. The following verbs are always followed by the infinitive if the
complement is a verb.
Examples:
John expects to begin studying law next
semester.
Mary learned to swim when she was very young.
The budget committee decided to postpone this
meeting.
The president will attempt to reduce inflation
in the next four years.
The soldiers are preparing to attack the
village.
VERBS THAT ARE ALWAYS
FOLLOWED BY THE GERUND
Other verbs must always be followed by the gerund.
These verbs include:
Examples:
John admitted stealing the jewels.
We enjoyed seeing them again after so many
years.
You shouldn’t risk entering that building in
its present condition.
The
Coast Guard has reported seeing
another ship in the Florida Straits.
Note : these setences are made negative by adding the
negative particle not before the
infinitive or gerund.
John decided not
to buy the car.
We regretted not
going to the party last night.
The following verbs can be followed by either the
infinitive or the gerund with no change in meaning.
He started to
study after dinner. OR He started
studying after dinner.
Joan hates to
ride her bicycle to school OR joan hates
riding her bicycle to school.
VERBS + PREPOSITIONS
FOLLOWED BY THE GERUND
If a verb + preposition, adjective + preposition, noun
+ preposition, or preposition alone is followed directly by a verb, the verb
will always be in the gerund form. The following list consists of verbs +
prepositions.
The following expressions contain the preposition to.
The word to in these expressions must not be confused with the to in the infinitive.
These verb + preposition expression must also be followed by gerund.
John gave up smooking because of his doctor’s
advice.
Mary insisted on taking the bus instead of the
plane.
Fred confessed to stealing the jewels.
We are not looking forward to going back to
school.
Henry is thinking of going to France in August.
ADJECTIVES + PREPOSITIONS FOLLOWED BY THE GERUND
The following adjectives + prepositions are also
followed by the gerund.
Mitch is afraid of getting married now.
We are accustomed to sleeping late on weekends.
Jean is not capable of understanding the predicament.
Alvaro is intent on finishing school next year.
Craig is fond of dancing.
We are interested in seeing this film.
NOUNS + PREPOSITIONS
FOLLOWED BY THE GERUND
The following nouns + prepositions are also followed
by the gerund.
George has no excuse for dropping out of
school.
There is a possibility of acquiring this
property at a good price.
There is no reason for leaving this early.
Any time a preposition is followed directly by a verb,
the verb will be in the gerund form.
After leaving the party. Ali drove home.
ADJECTIVE FOLLOWED BY THE
INFINITIVE
The following adjectives are always followed by the
infinitive form of the verb and never by the gerund.
Examples of adjective followed by infinitives:
Mohammad is eager to see his family.
It is dangerous to drive in this weather.
We are ready to leave now.
It is difficult to pass this test,
It is uncommon to find such good in this
section of the country.
Some verbs can be followed by either the infinitive or
the gerund, but the meaning changes.
John stopped studying (john
is not going to study anymore)
John stopped to study (John
stopped doing something in order to study)
PRONOUNS BEFORE THE GERUND OR INFINITIVE
In cases where the infinitive is used as a complement,any
noun or pronoun directly preceding it will be in the complement form. Some common verbs which are followed by the
infinitive and which are followed by the infinitive and which often require an
indirect object are listed here.
Joe asked Mary to call him when she woke up.
We ordered him to appear in court.
I urge you to reconsider your decision.
They were trying to persuade him to change his
mind.
The teacher permitted them to turn their assignments
in late.
You should prepare your son to take this
examination.
However, before the gerund, a noun or pronoun must
appear in the possessive form.
We understand your not being able to stay
longer.
He regrets her leaving.
We are looking forward to their coming next
year.
We don’t approve of john’s buying this house.
We resent the teacher’s not announcing the test
sooner.
AFFIRMATIVE AGREEMENT
When
indicating that one person or thing does something and then adding that another
does the same, use the word so or too. To avoid needless repetition of
words from the affirmative statement, use the conjunction and, followed by a simple statement using so or too is used.
When a form of the verb be is used in the main clause,
the same tense of the verb be is used in the simple statement that follows.
I am
happy , and you are too.
I am
happy, and so are you.
When a compound verb (auxiliary + verb), for example, will go, should do,has done, have written,
must examine, etc.occurs in the main clause, the auxiliary of the main is
used in the simple statement, and the subject and verb must agree.
They will work in the lab tomorrow, and you
will too.
They will work in the lab tomorrow, and so
will you.
When any verb except be appears without any
auxiliaries in the main clause, the auxiliary do, does, or did is used in the simple statement. The
subject and verb must agree and tense must be the same.
Jane goes to that school , and my sister does too.
Jane goes to that school, and so does my sister.
Additional examples:
John went to the mountains on his vacation, and we
did too.
John went to the mountains on his vacation, and so
did we.
I will be in New Mexico in August, and they will
too.
I will be in New Mexico in August, and so will they.
NEGATIVE AGREEMENT
Either and neither
function in simple statement much like so
and too in affirmative sentences.
However, either and neither are used to indicate negative
agreement. The same rules for auxiliaries, be
and do, does or did apply.
I didn’t see Mary this morning, John didn’t see Mary
this morning.
I didn’t see Mary this morning and John didn’t
either.
I didn’t see Mary this morning, and neither did
John.
She won’t be going to the conference. Her colleagues
won’t be going to the conference.
She won’t be going to the conference. Her
colleagues won’t either.
She won’t be going to the conference, and neither
will her colleagues.
Sumber : Cliffs
TOEFL Preparation guide
