Lesson 5.1
Verb + -ing or Verb + to-infinitive?

Choosing the correct verb form in business situations

🎯 Learning Objectives

  • Identify which common business verbs are followed by -ing or to-infinitive
  • Distinguish between the two forms in professional sentences
  • Use verb + -ing and verb + to-infinitive correctly to talk about plans, preferences, and actions
  • Demonstrate understanding by completing exercises and speaking tasks about work situations

📚 Grammar Explanation

In English, when one verb follows another, the second verb must be in a specific form. It can be the gerund (-ing form) or the infinitive (to + verb). The first verb tells you which form to use.

1. Verb + -ing (Gerund)

Form: Subject + Verb 1 + Verb 2-ing

Use: We often use this form to talk about:

  • Likes and dislikes: enjoy, don't mind
  • Starting, stopping, or finishing an activity: finish, stop
  • Suggestions and ideas: suggest, consider
Common Verbs: enjoy, finish, suggest, avoid, consider, discuss, mind
Example: She enjoys working in a team.

2. Verb + to-infinitive

Form: Subject + Verb 1 + to + Verb 2 (base form)

Use: We often use this form to talk about:

  • Plans and decisions: plan, decide, choose
  • Future hopes and intentions: want, hope, expect
  • Needs and offers: need, offer, promise, agree
Common Verbs: plan, decide, need, want, offer, promise, hope, agree, manage
Example: We plan to launch the new website next week.
🔑 Key Learning Tip: Think about the action. -ing often describes the activity itself. to-infinitive often points towards a future goal or purpose.

💼 Professional Contexts

Verb Forms in Professional Situations

  • Meetings: We decided to postpone the weekly call until Friday.
  • Project Management: She has finished writing the project summary.
  • Career Planning: He wants to get a promotion this year.
  • Business Strategy: The company is considering opening a new branch in Asia.

Verb Forms in Daily Business

  • Email Communication: I need to send this invoice before the end of the day.
  • Networking: I enjoy meeting professionals from different industries at conferences.
  • Reporting: My manager suggested including the sales figures in the report.
  • Teamwork: My colleague offered to help me with my presentation.

📋 Examples & Analysis

✅ Correct Usage

  • I enjoy working with our international clients. (Explains a preference or feeling)
  • We plan to hire two new software developers next quarter. (Explains a future plan)
  • Have you finished preparing the slides for the meeting? (Asks about a completed activity)
  • She promised to send the contract by 5 PM today. (Expresses a promise or commitment)
  • The management decided to invest in new technology. (Explains a final decision)
  • We must avoid making the same mistake again. (Describes an action to prevent)

❌ Common Mistakes

Incorrect: I plan finishing this report by lunch.

Correct: I plan to finish this report by lunch.

Explanation: The verb plan is followed by the to-infinitive.

Incorrect: He enjoys to travel for his job.

Correct: He enjoys travelling for his job.

Explanation: The verb enjoy is followed by the -ing form.

Incorrect: She suggested to have a call tomorrow morning.

Correct: She suggested having a call tomorrow morning.

Explanation: The verb suggest is followed by the -ing form.

🎧 Listening Exercise

Maria's Project Update

Scenario: Maria leaves a voicemail for her colleague, David.

Audio length: ~1:55 minutes | Word Count: ~290

📝 Comprehension Questions

1. Why does Maria say, "I hope to get everything finalised"?

2. What is the main reason for Maria's call?

3. Complete the sentence from the audio:

Sarah __________ a different local company.

🧠 Interactive Quiz

1. The management team finally _______ to open a new office in Berlin.

2. Could we discuss _______ a new marketing strategy in the meeting?

3. I _______ send you the documents yesterday, but I was too busy.

✏️ Practice Exercises

Exercise A: Choose the Correct Form

Instructions: Read the sentences and choose the correct verb form.

1. My boss promised (to give / giving) me more responsibility.

2. Do you mind (to wait / waiting) for a few minutes? The manager is on a call.

3. We need (to finish / finishing) this project before the deadline.

4. He avoided (to answer / answering) my question about the budget.

5. I hope (to see / seeing) you at the conference next month.

Exercise B: Complete Your To-Do List

Instructions: You are making a to-do list for your week. Complete the sentences using the verb in brackets and the information from the task.

1. Task: Write the monthly sales report. (finish)

Example: I need to finish writing the monthly sales report.

2. Task: Call the new client in Germany. (plan)

I ___________

3. Task: Book flights for the business trip. (need)

I ___________

4. Task: Prepare for the team meeting. (start)

I should ___________

🗣️ Speaking Practice

(For practice with a teacher or study partner)

Task 1: My Job Preferences (Controlled Practice)

Instructions: Talk for 1 minute about your job. Use the sentence starters below to describe what you like and dislike.

Preparation Tips: Think of 2-3 specific tasks for your job (e.g., writing emails, analysing data, talking to customers).

Framework:
  • "In my job, I enjoy..." (e.g., solving problems)
  • "I don't mind..." (e.g., attending meetings)
  • "I try to avoid..." (e.g., working late)

Task 2: Planning Your Week (Guided Practice)

Instructions: Tell your teacher about three important things on your schedule for this week. Use plan to, need to, and hope to.

Preparation Tips: Think of real or imaginary tasks for your week. Use business vocabulary like deadline, report, client, meeting.

Example Response: "This week, I plan to finish the quarterly report. I also need to schedule a meeting with the marketing team. I hope to get some positive feedback from my manager."

Task 3: Discussing a Business Decision (Free Practice)

Instructions: Imagine your team needs to choose a new software. Discuss the situation with your teacher (who will act as your manager). Use verbs like suggest, decide, consider, want to, avoid.

Discussion Points:
  • What is the goal? (e.g., "We want to find a better CRM software.")
  • What do you suggest? (e.g., "I suggest testing two or three options first.")
  • What is important to think about? (e.g., "We are considering choosing a cheaper option.")
  • What should you prevent? (e.g., "We must avoid making a decision too quickly.")

📋 Summary

🎯 Key Takeaways

  • Some verbs are followed by the -ing form (gerund). Use this for likes/dislikes and activities.
    Examples: enjoy, finish, suggest, avoid.
  • Other verbs are followed by the to-infinitive. Use this for plans, goals, and intentions.
    Examples: plan, decide, need, want, hope, promise.

💡 Study Tips

  • Make it Personal: Write five sentences about your own job: three with to-infinitive verbs (your goals) and two with -ing verbs (your feelings about tasks).
  • Listen Actively: In meetings or on business calls, listen for how your colleagues use these verbs. Notice which form they use after plan, decide, or suggest.
  • Create a Verb List: Keep a list in a notebook with two columns: "Verbs + -ing" and "Verbs + to-infinitive". Add new verbs as you learn them, and write sentences using each verb in context.