Quand deux verbes se suivent, le second prend l’une de trois formes : base verbale (sign), infinitif (to sign) ou gérondif (signing). C’est le premier verbe, ou le mot juste avant le blanc, qui décide.
Les règles de base
- Après un modal (can, must, should, will, would) : base verbale. Customers can cancel online.
- Après make et let (faire faire, laisser) : base verbale. The manager let us leave early.
- Après une préposition (before, after, by, for, without, instead of, about) : -ing. Thank you for choosing us. Check the file before sending it.
- Comme sujet de la phrase : -ing. Reducing costs is our priority.
- Pour exprimer un but : to. We called to confirm the order.
Les verbes suivis de to
agree, decide, plan, hope, expect, offer, promise, refuse, manage, afford, fail, intend, aim, need, want, would like, ask (someone) to, remind (someone) to, encourage (someone) to.
- The supplier agreed to lower its prices.agree to + base verbale
- We can’t afford to lose this client.afford to
- Please remind Mr. Ruiz to sign the form.remind someone to
Les verbes suivis de -ing
avoid, consider, enjoy, finish, keep, mind, suggest, recommend, postpone, delay, deny, risk, imagine, involve, include, practice, can’t help.
- We should avoid scheduling meetings on Fridays.avoid + -ing
- Would you mind closing the door?mind + -ing
- The consultant suggested hiring a temporary worker.suggest + -ing (ou suggest that + subjonctif)
Le piège : to préposition
Dans certaines expressions, « to » n’est pas l’infinitif mais une préposition : il est donc suivi de -ing. C’est l’un des pièges préférés du TOEIC.
| Expression | Exemple |
|---|---|
| look forward to | We look forward to meeting you. |
| be used to / get used to | She is used to working late. |
| be committed to / dedicated to | We are committed to reducing waste. |
| object to, in addition to, with a view to | In addition to offering discounts, we… |
| when it comes to | When it comes to negotiating, she is the best. |
Les verbes qui changent de sens
- Remember to lock the door. / I remember locking the door.to : action à faire / -ing : souvenir
- He stopped to call the client. / He stopped calling the client.to : pour faire / -ing : cesser
- Try to restart it. / Try restarting it.essayer de / faire l’essai de
- used to + base : habitude passée. I used to work in Paris.à ne pas confondre avec be used to + -ing
have yet to + base verbale = ne pas encore avoir fait : « The committee has yet to reach a decision ».
À toi de jouer
We look forward to ------- your proposal. (receive / receiving)
Voir la réponse
receiving to est une préposition : -ing.
The supplier agreed ------- its prices. (to lower / lowering)
Voir la réponse
to lower agree to + base.
Please avoid ------- personal calls during meetings. (making / to make)
Voir la réponse
making avoid + -ing.
Thank you for ------- our survey. (completing / complete)
Voir la réponse
completing Après une préposition : -ing.
The manager made the team ------- the report again. (write / to write)
Voir la réponse
write make + objet + base verbale.
She is used to ------- with international clients. (work / working)
Voir la réponse
working be used to + -ing.