Tag: softskills

The verb 'abide' meaning 'tolerate' is followed by an object and -ing form (gerund) without a preposition. 'Abide seeing someone doing something' is the correct pattern - no 'by' is needed.

'Adore' is a verb of attitude that is followed by the -ing form (gerund) when referring to enjoying an activity. 'Adore lying in a hot bath' is correct - 'to lie' would be ungrammatical.

'Advocate' is always followed by the -ing form, never the infinitive. 'Advocate taking a more long-term view' is correct - 'to take' would be grammatically wrong.

'Anticipate' means 'expect' and is followed by the -ing form (gerund) or a noun. 'Anticipate receiving several applications' is correct - 'received' would need a helper verb, and 'to receive' is ungrammatical.

'Appeal' meaning 'make a serious request' is followed by 'to' + infinitive. 'Appealed to the government to halt the war' is correct - 'halt' or 'halting' would be ungrammatical.

'Assign' meaning 'designate someone for a task' is followed by the object (person) and 'to' + infinitive. 'Assigned me to interview the candidates' is correct - 'interview' or 'interviewing' would be wrong.

'Attempt' meaning 'try to do something' is followed by 'to' + infinitive. 'Attempting to swim across the Channel' is correct - 'swim' or 'swimming' would be ungrammatical.

'Ban' meaning 'prohibit' is followed by the -ing form (gerund). 'Banned smoking in this restaurant' is correct - 'smoke' would need a helper verb, and 'to smoke' is ungrammatical.

In comparative structures with 'beat', the second activity is expressed as a gerund. 'Beats walking there' is correct - 'walk' needs a subject, and 'by walking' uses an unnecessary preposition.

'Begrudge' meaning 'give reluctantly' or 'resent spending' is followed by the -ing form. 'Begrudged paying so much' is correct - 'pay' would need a helper verb, and 'to pay' is ungrammatical.