I)Verbs followed by verbs in the infinitive translation
I´ll give 4 lists of verbs where the verbs that follow them are translated in Portuguese by infinitive -ar, -er, -ir
List 1) List of verbs followed by the infinitives of other verbs
Verb + to + verb in the infinitive form
A lot of verbs are followed by the infinitive form with “to” + the simple form of the verb.
For example, the verb to want = querer.
I can use a noun after it: want + object
I want some water
Or I can use a verb after it: want + verb. In this case I use “to”
I want to drink some water = Eu quero beber água (forma infinitiva)
Observe that in the example (want + object pronoun + verb) I want you to drink a lot of water = Eu quero que você beba muita água (forma subjuntiva)After want + an object pronoun it´s the subjunctive translation rather than the infinitive, only the form is infinitive
Common mistake due to literal tranlation from Portuguese: I want that you (erro devido à tradução direta do português, inserindo que = that)
Reference List of verbs followed by the infinitive:
List 2) Verb + Verb in the infinitive form (without “to”)
The verbs make, let and help are followed by an object pronoun plus another verb in the infinitive form.
Ex.: I made him do it
He let me do it
She´ll help you do this.
Other verbs used with an object and infinitive without “to” construction are the verbs of sensation or perception (see, hear, observe, watch, notice, feel, smell)
List 3) Verbs followed by the -ing forms of other verbs
Verb + Verb in the gerund form ( + ing )
Certain verbs are followed by the gerund not the infinitive. A gerund is a verb form ending in “ing” and functioning as a noun.
For example, after the verb avoid we have to use the gerund:
She avoids doing that.
I avoid eating too much fat. (eu evito de comer muita gordura)
Since the Brazilian students usually tend to use the infinitive not the gerund I recommend memorizing the following list of verbs that are followed by the gerund:
List 4) Verbs followed by either infinitives or gerunds
Obs.: There are verbs frequently followed by either gerunds or infinitives, sometimes with no difference in meaning (group a), sometimes with a difference in meaning (group b)
Group a : verb + infinitive or gerund (with no difference in meaning)
Begin
like
Can´t bear
love
Continue
prefer
hate
can´t stand
start
Example: I hate waiting or I hate to wait
Group b: Verb + infinitive or gerund (with a difference in meaning)
Forget
stop
Regret
try
Remember
Example: She stopped smoking: stop + gerund =quit, give up= parar de
She stopped to smoke stop + infinitive = parar para
In the first sentence “smoke” is the first action, stop is the second action
In the second sentence, “stop” is the first action, she stopped what she was doing to smoke (second action)
II-) Verbs followed by verbs in the subjunctive translation
Some verbs that follow others are translated in Portuguese by the subjunctive
Verbs followed by a (pro)noun + to + an infinitive
Example
The teacher is telling you to study this list
The boss asked his secretary to send a letter = O chefe pediu que sua secretária envie uma carta
Advise
Challenge
Forbid
Need
Require
Allow
Convince
Force
Order
Teach
Ask
Dare
Hire
Permit
Tell
Beg
Encourage
Instruct
Persuade
Urge
Cause
expect
Invite
remind
Want
Bibliographic reference:
Understanding and using English Grammar – Betty Schrampfer Azar
Marly Iyo Kamioji
Tem graduação e mestrado pela Universidade de São Paulo (USP) na área de física e educação. Trabalhou com Ensino de Ciências (pesquisa e formaçao de professores)
Histórico
