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Learning Objectives

5 minutes reading
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Identify verbs followed by -ing (gerund): enjoy, finish, avoid, consider, suggest
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Identify verbs followed by infinitive (to + verb): want, need, decide, plan, hope
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Use these structures correctly in professional contexts
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Express preferences, needs, and plans using appropriate verb patterns
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Key Learning Tip

There's no simple rule - you need to learn which verbs take -ing and which take "to". The good news: the most common business verbs follow clear patterns!

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Grammar Explanation

10 minutes reading

Some verbs are followed by the -ing form (gerund) and others by the infinitive (to + verb). This is one of the trickiest areas of English grammar!

Verb + -ing

Gerund Form

verb + verb-ing
enjoy → I enjoy working here.
finish → I've finished writing the report.
avoid → We should avoid making mistakes.
consider → Have you considered changing jobs?
suggest → I suggest meeting tomorrow.
mind → Do you mind waiting?
Verb + to + infinitive

Infinitive Form

verb + to + base verb
want → I want to finish early.
need → We need to discuss this.
decide → She decided to accept the offer.
plan → They plan to expand next year.
hope → I hope to see you soon.
agree → He agreed to help us.
More -ing Verbs

Common in Business

These verbs always take -ing
keep → Keep trying!
practise → Practise speaking English.
recommend → I recommend starting early.
risk → Don't risk losing the client.
miss → I miss working with you.
More Infinitive Verbs

Common in Business

These verbs always take to + infinitive
offer → They offered to help.
refuse → He refused to sign.
promise → I promise to call you.
expect → We expect to finish on time.
learn → I'm learning to use the software.
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Memory Tip

-ing verbs often relate to activities you're already doing or have done: enjoy, finish, avoid, stop.
To-infinitive verbs often relate to future intentions or desires: want, hope, plan, decide, agree.

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Professional Contexts

5 minutes reading

Expressing Preferences & Feelings

😊 Enjoyment: "I really enjoy working with this team."
🤔 Consideration: "Have you considered applying for the promotion?"
⚠️ Avoidance: "We should avoid discussing this in public."
💭 Suggestions: "I suggest scheduling a follow-up meeting."

Plans & Intentions

🎯 Wants: "I want to discuss the budget with you."
📋 Needs: "We need to hire two more people."
✅ Decisions: "The board decided to approve the project."
🗓️ Planning: "We plan to launch the product in March."
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Examples - Correct & Incorrect Usage

5 minutes reading
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Correct Professional Usage

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"I've finished writing the report."

finish + -ing

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"We need to discuss this matter urgently."

need + to + infinitive

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"I suggest meeting at 2pm."

suggest + -ing

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"She decided to accept the job offer."

decide + to + infinitive

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"Do you mind helping me with this?"

mind + -ing

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"They agreed to sign the contract."

agree + to + infinitive

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

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"I enjoy to work here."

Wrong! Use: "I enjoy working here." (enjoy + -ing)

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"I want finishing this project."

Wrong! Use: "I want to finish this project." (want + to)

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"She suggested to have a meeting."

Wrong! Use: "She suggested having a meeting." (suggest + -ing)

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Listening Exercise

10 minutes

Scenario: Maria (Project Manager) leaves a voicemail for her colleague David about the Alpha Project.

🎙️Audio: Project Update Voicemail
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Speed:

Audio Transcript: Project Update Voicemail

(Sound of a phone beep)

Maria: Hi David, it's Maria calling. I'm just calling to give you an update on the Alpha Project. I hope you're having a good week.

First, I wanted to say that I just finished preparing the presentation for the client meeting on Friday. I think it looks good. I really enjoy working on these creative tasks. I've saved it in the shared folder if you want to look at it.

Now, about the timeline. I know we plan to discuss this tomorrow, but I have some thoughts. We ran into a small problem with the software supplier. They can't deliver on the date we wanted. It's a bit of a problem, but I think we can solve it. Sarah suggested trying a different local company. I looked at their services, and they seem very good. So, we decided to use them instead. It's a bit more expensive, but we must avoid rushing the installation.

I need to confirm the new installation date with them today. I hope to get everything finalised by the end of the day. Alex from the IT team offered to help with the technical questions, which is great.

Could you please check the presentation when you have a moment? Let me know if you have any feedback. Talk to you tomorrow. Bye.

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

💡 Hint: The verb "hope" is used to talk about future wishes and is followed by the to-infinitive.

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

💡 Hint: Maria talks about the presentation, a problem with the supplier, and the solution she found.

Question 3: Complete the sentence from the audio: "Sarah __________ a different local company."

💡 Hint: The verb "suggest" is followed by the -ing form.
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Interactive Quiz

10 minutes

Choose the correct verb form:

1

I've finished ______ the report.

Awriting
Bto write
2

We need ______ this problem immediately.

Asolving
Bto solve
3

She suggested ______ the client directly.

Acontacting
Bto contact
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Practice Exercises

10 minutes

Exercise A - Choose -ing or to + infinitive

Select the correct form:

1.

I enjoy _____ with international clients. (work)

💡 Hint: enjoy + -ing
2.

We decided _____ the product launch. (postpone)

💡 Hint: decide + to + infinitive
3.

Have you considered _____ for the new position? (apply)

💡 Hint: consider + -ing
4.

They hope _____ the contract by Friday. (sign)

💡 Hint: hope + to + infinitive
5.

Do you mind _____ until tomorrow? (wait)

💡 Hint: mind + -ing

Exercise B - Complete the Sentences

Write the correct form of the verb in brackets:

1.

She avoided _____ (make) any promises.

💡 Hint: avoid + -ing
2.

The company plans _____ (expand) into Asia.

💡 Hint: plan + to + infinitive
3.

I recommend _____ (start) the project early.

💡 Hint: recommend + -ing
4.

He offered _____ (help) with the presentation.

💡 Hint: offer + to + infinitive

Exercise C - Categorize the Verbs

Does each verb take -ing or to + infinitive?

1.

want

2.

finish

3.

agree

4.

suggest

5.

promise

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Summary

2 minutes

🎓 Key Takeaways

  • Verbs + -ing: enjoy, finish, avoid, consider, suggest, mind, recommend, risk, keep, practise
  • Verbs + to + infinitive: want, need, decide, plan, hope, agree, offer, refuse, promise, expect, learn
  • Memory tip: -ing verbs often relate to ongoing activities; to-infinitive verbs often relate to future intentions
  • There's no simple grammar rule - you need to memorize which verbs take which form
  • These patterns are very common in professional English, so practice them regularly!
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Congratulations!

You've completed Lesson 5.1 on Verb + -ing / Infinitive patterns. Continue to Lesson 5.2 to learn Essential Business Phrasal Verbs.

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