Do you have a minute to spare to learn some English? Here’s James to explain 5 verbs that are followed by -ing. Give us 60 seconds and we’ll give you the English!
James
Hi everyone, welcome back to English In A Minute. Today we’re going to look at five verbs that are followed by an –ing noun. Not all verbs are followed by an -ing, but these five are. So, let’s get started.
The couple avoided doing the housework. Avoid means to ‘stay away from’ or ‘stop yourself from doing something’.
Sian denied taking the pen. Deny means to ‘say that you didn’t do something’.
I really enjoy cooking. Many verbs that are about likes and dislikes are followed by an –ing.
I recommend watching the new horror film. Recommend is a verb that we use to give advice.
I regret not going to university. Regret is a verb that means that ‘you wish something in the past had been different’.
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5 verbs followed by -ing
Verb patterns
In English, when two verbs are used together, the first verb dictates which form the second verb should take regardless of the tense of the first verb or the subject of the sentence. The second verb most commonly takes the form of:
- An infinitive verb: I want to go home.
- A bare infinitive (infinitive without ‘to’) verb: I can play football.
- An -ing verb: Imagine living on the moon!
The following verbs are ONLY followed by an -ing form:
Avoid
Avoid means to ‘stay away from’ or ‘stop yourself from doing something’.
- The couple avoided doing the housework.
Deny
Deny means to ‘say that you didn’t do something’.
- Sian denied taking the pen.
Enjoy
Enjoy means ‘like’. Many verbs that are about likes and dislikes are followed by an –ing.
- I really enjoy cooking.
Recommend
Recommend is a verb that we use to give advice.
- I recommend watching the new horror film.
Regret
Regret is a verb that means that ‘you wish something in the past had been different’.
- I regret not going to university.