Verbs+ING

acknowledge verb [ T ]

to accept, admit or recognize something, or the truth or existence of something

[ + -ing verb ] She acknowledged having been at fault.

admit verb -tt- ACCEPT

 [ + -ing verb ] She admitted making a mistake.

adore verb [ T not continuous ] LOVE

 [ + -ing verb ] Don't you just adore lying in a hot bath?

advise verb

 [ + -ing verb ] I'd advise waiting until tomorrow.

advocate verb [ T ]

to publicly support or suggest an idea, development or way of doing something

[ + -ing verb ] She advocates taking a more long-term view.

allow verb GIVE PERMISSION

 [ + -ing verb ] Smoking is not allowed in this restaurant.

anticipate verb [ T ]

to imagine or expect that something will happen, sometimes taking action in preparation for it happening

 [ + -ing verb ] They anticipate having several applicants for the job.

avoid verb [ T ]

to stay away from someone or something, or prevent something from happening or not allow yourself to do something

 [ + -ing verb ] I try to avoid go ing shopping on Saturdays.

be verb being , was , were , been DESCRIPTION

 [ + -ing verb ] The problem is deciding what to do.

bear verb bore , borne or US ALSO born ACCEPT

1. [ T ] to accept, tolerate or endure especially something unpleasant

 [ + -ing verb ] I can't bear being bored.

beat verb beat , beaten or US ALSO beat DEFEAT

2. informal to be more enjoyable than another activity or experience

[ + -ing verb ] Taking the bus sure beats walking .

begin verb [ I or T ] beginning , began , begun

 [ + -ing verb ] Jane has just begun learning to drive.

begrudge verb [ T ]

to allow or give unwillingly

 [ + -ing verb ] She begrudged paying so much for an ice-cream cone.

bother verb MAKE AN EFFORT

1. [ I or T ] to make the effort to do something

 [ + -ing verb ] Don't bother making the bed - I'll do it later.

bring verb [ T ] brought , brought CAUSE

2. to cause, result in or produce a state or condition

 [ + -ing verb ] The explosion brought the whole building crashing to the ground.

catch verb caught , caught STOP ESCAPING

2. [ T ] to find and stop a person or animal that is trying to escape

 [ + -ing verb ] Two armed men were caught trying to cross the frontier at night.

catch verb caught , caught NOTICE

3. [ T ] to discover, see or realise something, especially someone doing something wrong

[ + -ing verb ] He caught her reading his old love letters.

clock verb [ T ] SPEED

2. to show or reach a particular speed or distance on a measuring device

[ + -ing verb ] The police clocked him doing 80 mph in a 50 mph area.

come verb came , come MOVE TO SPEAKER

1. [ I ] to move or travel towards the speaker or with the speaker

[ + -ing verb ] He came rushing over when I fell.

commence verb [ I or T ] formal

to begin something

 [ + -ing verb ] Unfortunately, he commenced speaking before all the guests had finished eating.

consider verb POSSIBILITY

1. [ I or T ] to spend time thinking about a possibility or making a decision

 [ + -ing verb ] We're considering selling the house.

contemplate verb [ I or T ]

to spend time considering a possible future action, or to consider one particular thing for a long time in a serious and quiet way

[ + -ing verb ] I'm contemplating going abroad for a year.

continue verb

1. [ I or T ] to keep happening, existing or doing something, or to cause something or someone to do this

 [ + -ing verb ] If she continues drinking like that, I'll have to carry her home.

continue verb

2. [ I ] to start to do something again after a pause

 [ + -ing verb ] He paused for a moment to listen and then continued eating .

defer verb [ T ] -rr-

to delay something until a later time; to postpone

 [ + -ing verb ] Can we defer making a decision until next week

delay verb

1. [ I or T ] to make something happen at a later time than originally planned or expected

 [ + -ing verb ] I think we should delay deciding about this until next year.

deny verb [ T ] NOT TRUE

1. to say that something is not true

 [ + -ing verb ] Neil denies breaking the window.

depict verb [ T ]

to represent or show something in a picture or story

 [ + -ing verb ] People were shocked by the advertisement which depicted a woman beating her husband.

depress verb [ T ] CAUSE SADNESS

1. to cause someone to feel unhappy and without hope for the future

 [ + -ing verb ] Doesn't it depress you listening to the news these days?

detest verb [ T not continuous ]

 [ + -ing verb ] I detest having to get up when it's dark outside.

dislike verb [ T ]

 [ + -ing verb ] I dislike walking and I hate the countryside.

do verb did , done FINISH

10. [ I ] If you say that you have done with something or someone, or have done performing a particular action, you mean that you have finished what you were doing with something or someone, or what you were saying to someone, or that you have finished the action

 [ + -ing verb ] I haven't done talking to you yet.

dread verb [ T ]

1. to feel extremely worried or frightened about something that is going to happen or that might happen

 [ + -ing verb ] I'm dreading having to meet his parents.

enjoy verb [ T ] PLEASURE

1. to get pleasure from something

 [ + -ing verb ] I want to travel because I enjoy meeting people and seeing new places.

entail verb [ T ] formal

to make something necessary, or to involve something

 [ + -ing verb ] Repairing the roof will entail spending a lot of money.

envisage verb [ T ] ( US also envision ) slightly formal

1. to imagine or expect something in the future, especially something good

 [ + -ing verb ] When do you envisage finishing the project?

evade verb [ T ]

1. slightly formal to avoid or escape from someone or something

 [ + -ing verb ] He can't evade doing military service forever.

fancy verb LIKE

1. [ T ] mainly UK to want to have or do something

 [ + -ing verb ] I didn't fancy swimming in that water.

favour UK , US favor verb [ T ]

1. to support or prefer one particular possibility

 [ + -ing verb ] I generally favour travelling by night, when the roads are quiet.

find verb found , found EXPERIENCE A FEELING

7. [ T ] to think or feel a particular way about someone or something

 [ + -ing verb ] I find living in the city quite stressful.

finish verb COMPLETE/END

1. [ I or T ] to complete something or come to the end of an activity

 [ + -ing verb ] Have you finished reading that magazine?

forget verb forgetting , forgot , forgotten NOT REMEMBER

1. [ I or T ] to be unable to remember a fact, something that happened, or how to do something

 [ + -ing verb ] She would never forget seeing the Himalayas for the first time.

get verb getting , got , got or US gotten CAUSE

11. [ T ] to cause something to happen, or cause someone or something to do something

 [ + -ing verb ] Haven't you got the photocopier working yet?

go verb going , went , gone MOVE/TRAVEL

3. [ I ] to move or travel somewhere in order to do something

[ + -ing verb ] We go shopping every Friday night.

I've never gone skiing .

hate verb [ I or T ]

to dislike someone or something very much

 [ + -ing verb ] I have always hated speaking in public.

I hate him telling me what do to all the time.

have verb had , had RECEIVE

6. [ T ] to receive, accept or allow something to happen

 [ + -ing verb ] I won't have those kids running all over my flowerbeds (= I refuse to allow them to do this) .

imagine verb [ T ]

1. to form or have a mental picture or idea of something

 [ + -ing verb ] She imagined herself sitting in her favourite armchair back home.

imagine verb [ T ]

4. used to express shock or surprise, often at someone else's behaviour

 [ + -ing verb ] Imagine spending all that money on a coat!

include verb [ T ]

to contain something as a part of something else, or to make something part of something else

[ + -ing verb ] Your responsibilities will include making appointments on my behalf.

involve verb [ T not continuous ]

to include someone or something in something, or to make them take part in or feel part of it

 [ + -ing verb ] The operation involves putting a small tube into your heart.

justify verb [ T ]

1. to give or to be a good reason for

[ + -ing verb ] I can't really justify taking another day off work.

keep verb kept , kept CONTINUE DOING

12. [ I + -ing verb ] ( also keep on ) to continue doing something without stopping, or to do it repeatedly

He keeps trying to distract me.

I keep on thinking I've seen her before somewhere.

I kept hoping that he'd phone me.

keep verb kept , kept DELAY

13. [ T ] to delay someone or prevent them from doing something

 [ + -ing verb ] I'm so sorry to keep you waiting .

She kept me talking on the phone for half an hour.

leave verb left , left WAIT

7. [ T ] If you leave (doing) something, you wait before you do it

 [ + -ing verb ] They left booking their holiday till/to the last minute.

like verb ENJOY

1. [ T ] to enjoy or approve of something or someone

 [ + -ing verb ] I don't like upsetting people.

loathe verb [ T ]

to hate someone or something

 [ + -ing verb ] I loathe doing housework.

love verb [ T ] LIKE SOMETHING

2. to like something very much

 [ + -ing verb ] I love skiing .

mean verb meant , meant HAVE RESULT

3. [ T ] to have a particular result

[ + -ing verb ] If we want to catch the 7.30 train, that will mean leaving the house at 6.00.

mention verb [ T ]

1. to speak about something quickly, giving little detail or using few words

[ + -ing verb ] My wife mentioned seeing you the other day.

mind verb OPPOSE

1. [ I or T ] (used in questions and negatives) to be annoyed or worried by something

 [ + -ing verb ] I don't mind having a dog in the house so long as it's clean.

Would you mind turing (= Please would you turn) your radio down a little please?

 [ + object + -ing verb ] Do you mind me smoking ?

miss verb NOT DO

1. [ T ] to fail to do or experience something, often something planned or expected, or to avoid doing or experiencing something

 [ + -ing verb ] I only just missed being run over by a bus this morning.

miss verb FEEL SAD

6. [ T ] to feel sad that a person or thing is not present

 [ + -ing verb ] I haven't missed smoking like I'd expected to.

necessitate verb [ T ] formal

to cause something to be needed, or to make something necessary

 [ + -ing verb ] An important meeting necessitates my being in London on Friday.

need verb MUST HAVE

2. [ T ] If you say that someone or something needs something else, you mean that they should have it, or would get an advantage from having it

 [ + -ing verb ] This room needs brightening up a bit.

oppose verb [ T ]

to disagree with something or someone, often by speaking or fighting against them

 [ + -ing verb ] I would certainly oppose changing the system.

pardon verb [ T ]

1. to forgive someone for something they have said or done. This word is often used in polite expressions

 [ + -ing verb ] Pardon me interrupting , but there's a client to see you.

permit verb -tt-

1. [ T ] slightly formal to allow something

 [ + -ing verb ] The prison authorities permit visiting only once a month.

picture verb [ T ]

to imagine something

 [ + -ing verb ] Try to picture yourself lying on a beach in the hot sun.

postpone verb [ T ]

to delay an event and plan or decide that it should happen at a later date or time

 [ + -ing verb ] We've had to postpone going to France because the children are ill.

practise UK , US practice verb TRAINING

1. [ I or T ] to do or play something regularly or repeatedly in order to become skilled at it

 [ + -ing verb ] His written French is very good but he needs to practise speaking it.

prefer verb [ T ] -rr- CHOOSE

1. to like, choose or want one thing rather than another

 [ + -ing verb ] He prefers watching rugby to playing it.

prevent verb [ T ]

to stop something from happening or someone from doing something

 [ + -ing verb ] His disability prevents him (from) driving .

propose verb SUGGEST

1. [ T ] to offer or state a possible plan or action for other people to consider

 [ + -ing verb ] He proposed dealing directly with the suppliers.

propose verb INTEND

5. [ T ] formal to intend to do something

 [ + -ing verb ] How do you propose tackling this problem?

quit verb [ I or T ] quitting , quit , quit

to stop doing something or leave a job or a place

 [ + -ing verb ] I'm going to quit smoking .

Quit wasting my time!

recall verb REMEMBER

1. [ I or T ] to bring the memory of a past event into your mind, and often to give a description of what you remember

 [ + -ing verb ] She recalled seeing him outside the shop on the night of the robbery.

recollect verb [ I or T ] formal

to remember something

 [ + -ing verb ] He does not recollect seeing her at the party.

recommend verb [ T ]

to suggest that someone or something would be good or suitable for a particular job or purpose, or to suggest that a particular action should be done

 [ + -ing verb ] I recommend writing your feelings down on paper.

regret verb [ T ] -tt-

to feel sorry about a situation, especially something sad or wrong or a mistake that you have made

 [ + -ing verb ] I have always regretted not having studied harder at school.

relish verb [ T ] slightly formal

1. to like or enjoy something

 [ + -ing verb ] I don't relish telling her that her son has been arrested.

remember verb

1. [ I or T ] to be able to bring back a piece of information into your mind, or to keep a piece of information in your memory

 [ + -ing verb ] I don't remember signing a contract.

report verb TELL

1. [ I or T ] to give a description of something or information about it to someone

 [ + -ing verb ] Spies reported seeing a build-up of soldiers.

represent verb DESCRIBE

4. [ T ] to show or describe something or someone

[ + -ing verb ] The statue represents St George killing the dragon.

resent verb [ T ]

to feel angry because you have been forced to accept someone or something that you do not like

 [ + -ing verb ] He resents having to explain his work to other people.

resist verb

3. [ T ] to stop yourself from doing something that you want to do

 [ + -ing verb ] She couldn't resist laughing at him in those clothes.

resume verb formal

1. [ I or T ] If an activity resumes, or if you resume it, it starts again after a pause

 [ + -ing verb ] He stopped to take a sip of water and then resumed speaking .

risk verb [ T ]

1. to do something although there is a chance of a bad result

 [ + -ing verb ] He risked losing his house when his company went bankrupt.

save verb NOT WASTE

5. [ I or T ] to prevent time, money or effort being wasted or spent

 [ + -ing verb ] I'll lend you a bag for your trip - it'll save you buying one specially.

see verb seeing , saw , seen USE EYES

1. [ I or T ] to be conscious of what is around you by using your eyes

 [ + -ing verb ] From the window we could see the children playing in the yard.

send verb [ T ] sent , sent CAUSE TO HAPPEN

3. to cause someone or something to do a particular thing, or to cause something to happen

 [ + -ing verb ] The announcement of the fall in profits sent the company's share price plummeting (= caused it to go down a lot) .

The draught from the fan sent papers flying all over the room.

spot verb -tt- SEE

1. [ T ] to see or notice someone or something, usually because you are looking hard

 [ + -ing verb ] The police spotted him driving a stolen car.

stand verb stood , stood ACCEPT

6. [ T usually in negatives ] to successfully accept or bear something which is unpleasant or difficult

 [ + -ing verb ] I can't stand hearing her cry.

start verb BEGIN

1. [ I or T ] to begin doing something

 [ + -ing verb ] They started building the house in January.

stick verb stuck , stuck ACCEPT

7. [ T ] UK informal to bear or accept something or someone unpleasant

 [ + -ing verb ] I don't know how you can stick living in this place.

stop verb -pp- FINISH

1. [ I or T ] to finish doing something that you were doing

 [ + -ing verb ] Stop shouting - you're giving me a headache!

I couldn't stop laughing .

stop verb -pp- FINISH

4. [ I + -ing verb ] to finish doing something that you do regularly or as a habit

Apparently she's stopped drinking .

I stopped seeing him last year.

stop verb -pp- PREVENT

6. [ T ] to prevent someone from doing something

 [ + -ing verb ] They've put barriers up to stop people (from) getting through.

Something must be done to stop the fighting.

suggest verb [ T ] MENTION

1. to mention an idea, possible plan or action for other people to consider

 [ + -ing verb ] I suggested putting the matter to the committee.

surprise verb [ T ]

2. to find, catch or attack someone when they are not expecting it

The robbers had just opened the safe when they were surprised by the police.

[ + -ing verb ] His mother surprised him helping himself to her gin.

take verb took , taken GO WITH

11. [ T ] to go somewhere with someone, often paying for them or being responsible for them

We're taking the children to the zoo on Saturday.

[ + to infinitive ] I took my elderly parents to look at some new houses.

[ + -ing verb ] Will you take me swimming tomorrow?

take verb took , taken NEED

15. [ T ] to need

 [ + -ing verb ] His story took some believing (= was difficult to believe) .

tolerate verb [ T ] ACCEPT

1. to accept behaviour and beliefs which are different from your own, although you might not agree with or approve of them

I will not tolerate that sort of behaviour in my class.

[ + -ing verb ] I won't tolerate lying .

try verb ATTEMPT

1. [ I or T ] to attempt to do something

 [ + -ing verb ] Perhaps you should try getting up (= You should get up) earlier in the mornings.

try verb TEST

2. [ T ] to test something to see if it is suitable or useful or if it works

 [ + -ing verb ] Try using a different shampoo.

I thought I might try parachuting .

veto verb [ T ]

to refuse to allow something

 [ + -ing verb ] My boss vetoed my taking any more time off this year.

want verb [ T ] NEED

4. to need something

 [ + -ing verb ] The wine is in the fridge - it just wants cooling for a couple of minutes.

If you ask me that child wants a good slap!

witness verb [ T ] BE PRESENT

1. to see something happen, especially an accident or crime

 [ + -ing verb ] He arrived home just in time to witness his brother being taken away by the police.

write verb wrote , written or old use writ

2. [ I or T ] to send a letter or similar message to someone, giving them information or expressing your thoughts or feelings

 [ + -ing verb ] The travel company has written giving information about the trip.

keep verb kept , kept CONTINUE DOING

12. [ I + -ing verb ] ( also keep on ) to continue doing something without stopping, or to do it repeatedly

He keeps trying to distract me.

I keep on thinking I've seen her before somewhere.

I kept hoping that he'd phone me.