GRAMMAR A2 Verb Patterns To + Infinitive Verb + -ing Preferences and Plans

A2 Verb + Infinitive or -ing

Learn which common verbs are followed by to + infinitive and which are followed by the -ing form. Impara quali verbi comuni sono seguiti da to + infinito e quali dalla forma in -ing.

want to learn need to study enjoy reading finish writing would like to travel

Student detailsDati studente

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1. See it in context1. Guarda le strutture nel contesto

“I want to improve my English because I need to use it at work. I enjoy speaking with international clients, and I would like to take an exam next year. I have also finished reading my first book in English.”
What to noticeCosa notare

want / need / would like + to + verbo

enjoy / finish + verbo in -ing

La struttura dipende dal primo verbo.

2. A2 control panel2. Pannello di controllo A2

want
want to + verb

I want to learn.

need
need to + verb

We need to leave.

would like
would like to + verb

I’d like to travel.

enjoy
enjoy + verb-ing

I enjoy reading.

finish
finish + verb-ing

She finished writing.

like / love / hate
verb-ing or to + verb

I like cooking.

3. Verbs followed by to + infinitive3. Verbi seguiti da to + infinito

Core pattern:Struttura centrale:

verb + to + base verb

VerbExample
wantI want to improve.
needWe need to leave.
would likeI’d like to book a lesson.
hopeShe hopes to pass.
planThey plan to move.
decideHe decided to change jobs.
learnI’m learning to drive.
tryTry to arrive early.

4. Verbs followed by -ing4. Verbi seguiti dalla forma in -ing

Core pattern:Struttura centrale:

verb + verb-ing

VerbExample
enjoyI enjoy reading.
finishShe finished writing.
avoidAvoid using your phone.
stopHe stopped smoking.
mindDo you mind waiting?
practisePractise speaking every day.

5. Like, love, hate and prefer5. Like, love, hate e prefer

verb + -ing

I like reading.

She loves travelling.

Molto comune per gusti e preferenze generali.

verb + to + infinitive

I like to read before bed.

He prefers to work alone.

Possibile soprattutto per abitudini o scelte.

At A2 level, both forms are often possible after like, love, hate and prefer.A livello A2, entrambe le forme sono spesso possibili dopo like, love, hate e prefer.

6. Would like is different from like6. Would like è diverso da like

StructureMeaningExample
like + -inggeneral enjoymentI like travelling.
would like + to + verbspecific wishI’d like to travel to Japan.
Italian trap: Non dire I would like travelling. Usa I would like to travel.

7. Spelling the -ing form7. Ortografia della forma in -ing

RuleExample
Most verbs: add -ingread → reading
Final -e: remove ewrite → writing
Short CVC verb: double consonantswim → swimming
-ie becomes -ylie → lying

8. Common meaning patterns8. Schemi di significato comuni

Plans and intentionsProgrammi e intenzioni

want to, plan to, decide to, hope to

Activities and experiencesAttività ed esperienze

enjoy doing, finish doing, practise doing

Needs and obligationsNecessità e obblighi

need to, have to, remember to

PreferencesPreferenze

like doing, love doing, hate doing, prefer doing

9. Italian brain vs English brain9. Cervello italiano vs cervello inglese

ItalianoErrore comuneInglese naturale
Voglio studiare.I want studying.I want to study.
Mi piace leggere.I enjoy to read.I enjoy reading.
Ho deciso di partire.I decided leaving.I decided to leave.
Ho finito di scrivere.I finished to write.I finished writing.
Vorrei prenotare.I would like booking.I would like to book.

10. Common mistakes10. Errori comuni

❌ I enjoy to cook.

Enjoy richiede la forma in -ing.

✅ I enjoy cooking.
❌ She wants studying abroad.

Want richiede to + forma base.

✅ She wants to study abroad.
❌ We finished to prepare the project.

Finish richiede la forma in -ing.

✅ We finished preparing the project.
❌ I would like going to London.

Would like richiede to + forma base.

✅ I would like to go to London.

11. Concept Check Questions

1. Which form normally follows want?1. Quale forma segue normalmente want?
2. Which form normally follows enjoy?2. Quale forma segue normalmente enjoy?
3. Which sentence is correct?3. Quale frase è corretta?
4. Which is true about like at A2 level?4. Che cosa è vero riguardo a like a livello A2?

12. Quick Check

1. I want _____ English better.1. Voglio _____ meglio l’inglese.
2. She enjoys _____ books.2. Le piace _____ libri.
3. We need _____ now.3. Dobbiamo _____ adesso.
4. Try to avoid _____ late.4. Cerca di evitare di _____ tardi.
5. I’d like _____ a coffee.5. Vorrei _____ un caffè.

13. Challenge Check

1. Choose the correct sentence.1. Scegli la frase corretta.
2. They decided _____ abroad.2. Hanno deciso di _____ all’estero.
3. Which spelling is correct?3. Quale grafia è corretta?
4. Which sentence means “smettere di fumare”?4. Quale frase significa “smettere di fumare”?
5. Which sentence is correct?5. Quale frase è corretta?

14. Write it in English14. Scrivi in inglese

1. Voglio migliorare il mio inglese.
2. Mi piace leggere la sera.
3. Lei ha deciso di cambiare lavoro.
4. Abbiamo finito di preparare il progetto.
5. Vorrei prenotare una lezione.

15. Correction and transformation15. Correzione e trasformazione

1. Correct the sentence.

I enjoy to cook.

2. Correct the sentence.

She wants studying abroad.

3. Correct the sentence.

They plan moving house.

4. Rewrite using STOP.

I do not smoke now.

5. Rewrite using WOULD LIKE.

I want a coffee.

16. Mini dialogue16. Mini dialogo

A: “What do you enjoy doing in your free time?”A: “Che cosa ti piace fare nel tempo libero?”

17. Guided writing task17. Writing guidato

Write 60–90 words about your interests, plans and learning goals. Use at least six different verb patterns. Scrivi 60–90 parole sui tuoi interessi, programmi e obiettivi di apprendimento. Usa almeno sei strutture verbali diverse.

to + infinitive pattern
verb + -ing pattern
preference + -ing
would like to
future plan verb
connector
Capital letter + punctuation + 60 words
Model answer:

I enjoy learning languages, and I want to improve my English because I need to use it at work. I like watching films in English, and I practise speaking every week. I plan to take an exam next year, so I have decided to study more regularly. I would also like to visit London and use English in real situations.

18. Use it in real life18. Usalo nella vita reale

Talk about goals

I want to improve my speaking, and I plan to take an exam.

Talk about interests

I enjoy reading, and I love travelling.

Want a lasting method to learn English?Vuoi un metodo duraturo per imparare l’inglese?

Book a consultation to identify the right path for your level and goals.Prenota un colloquio per individuare il percorso più adatto al tuo livello e ai tuoi obiettivi.

Book a consultationPrenota un colloquio

Final score and reportPunteggio finale e report

Your resultIl tuo risultato

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GRAMMAR A2 Present Perfect Life experiences Just / Already / Yet Italian learner editionEdizione per studenti italiani

A2 Present Perfect A2 Present Perfect

Learn to talk about life experiences, recent actions and situations that connect the past with the present. Use have/has + past participle with ever, never, just, already, yet, for and since. Impara a parlare di esperienze di vita, azioni recenti e situazioni che collegano il passato al presente. Usa have/has + participio passato con ever, never, just, already, yet, for e since.

I have finishedShe has goneHave you ever…? just / already / yetfor three yearssince 2022

Student detailsDati studente

Progress: 0%Progresso: 0%

1. See it in context1. Guarda il Present Perfect nel contesto

“I have just finished my course. I have already passed two tests, but I haven’t taken the final exam yet. My friend has studied here for six months.” “I have just finished my course. I have already passed two tests, but I haven’t taken the final exam yet. My friend has studied here for six months.”
What students must noticeCosa devono notare gli studenti

have/has: cambia in base al soggetto.

finished, passed, taken, studied: participi passati.

just, already, yet: descrivono azioni recenti o attese.

for six months: durata che continua fino al presente.

2. Take on board: the A2 control panel2. Da portare via: il pannello di controllo A2

1. I/you/we/they
have + past participle

We have arrived.

2. He/she/it
has + past participle

She has arrived.

3. Negative
haven’t / hasn’t + participle

I haven’t finished.

4. Questions
Have/Has + subject + participle?

Have you seen it?

5. Life experience
ever / never

Have you ever flown?

6. Time connection
for / since

for two years / since 2023

3. The Present Perfect map3. La mappa del Present Perfect

Core formula:Formula centrale:

subject + have/has + past participle. The exact past time is often not stated because the connection with the present is important.

AffirmativeAffermativa

I have finished.

She has gone home.

Italian trap: Non usare il Past Simple dopo have/has: has went → has gone.

NegativeNegativa

I haven’t finished.

He hasn’t called.

Italian trap: Haven’t/hasn’t contiene già la negazione.

QuestionsDomande

Have you finished?

Has she arrived?

Italian trap: Non usare did con il Present Perfect.

Short answersRisposte brevi

Have they left? — Yes, they have.

Has he called? — No, he hasn’t.

Italian trap: Ripeti have o has, non il verbo principale.

4. Past participles4. Participi passati

Base formPast SimplePast participle
workworkedworked
finishfinishedfinished
gowentgone
seesawseen
dodiddone
writewrotewritten
taketooktaken
eatateeaten
bewas/werebeen
havehadhad

5. When do we use it?5. Quando lo usiamo?

Life experienceEsperienze di vita

I have visited Spain.

The exact time is not important or not stated.

Recent action with a present resultAzione recente con risultato presente

I have lost my keys.

Result now: I cannot open the door.

Unfinished time periodPeriodo di tempo non concluso

I have had three meetings today.

Today is not finished.

Situation continuing until nowSituazione che continua fino ad ora

We have lived here for five years.

We still live here now.

6. Ever, never, just, already and yet6. Ever, never, just, already e yet

WordParolaTypical useUso tipicoExampleEsempio
everquestions about experienceHave you ever flown?
nevernegative experience without notI have never flown.
justa very recent actionShe has just arrived.
alreadyearlier than expectedWe have already eaten.
yetquestions and negatives, usually at the endHave you finished yet?

7. For and since7. For e since

for

duration

for two hours

for three years

for a long time

since

starting point

since Monday

since 2022

since I was a child

Compare:Confronta:

I have worked here for five years.

I have worked here since 2021.

8. Present Perfect or Past Simple?8. Present Perfect o Past Simple?

Present PerfectPast Simple
I have been to Paris.
No exact time.		I went to Paris in 2024.
Finished past time.
Have you ever seen this film?
Life experience.		Did you see this film last night?
Specific finished time.
I have spoken to Anna today.
Today is not finished.		I spoke to Anna yesterday.
Yesterday is finished.
She has lived here for ten years.
She still lives here.		She lived here for ten years.
She does not live here now.
Do not normally use the Present Perfect with:Non usare normalmente il Present Perfect con:

yesterday, last week, in 2023, two days ago, when I was young

9. Italian brain vs English brain9. Cervello italiano vs cervello inglese

ItalianoCommon mistakeErrore comuneNatural EnglishInglese naturale
Sono stato a Londra.I have went to London.I have been to London.
L’ho visto ieri.I have seen him yesterday.I saw him yesterday.
Non ho ancora finito.I haven’t yet finished.I haven’t finished yet.
Vivo qui da tre anni.I live here since three years.I have lived here for three years.
Vivo qui dal 2022.I have lived here for 2022.I have lived here since 2022.
Hai mai provato?Did you ever tried?Have you ever tried?

10. Common mistakes10. Errori comuni

❌ She has went home.

Use the past participle gone.Usa il participio passato gone.

✅ She has gone home.
❌ I have seen him yesterday.

Yesterday requires the Past Simple.Yesterday richiede il Past Simple.

✅ I saw him yesterday.
❌ Have you ever went abroad?

Use the past participle been/gone.Usa il participio passato been/gone.

✅ Have you ever been abroad?
❌ I have lived here since five years.

Use for with a duration.Usa for con una durata.

✅ I have lived here for five years.

11. Concept Check Questions11. Domande di controllo del concetto

1. What is the basic structure of the Present Perfect?1. Qual è la struttura base del Present Perfect?
2. Which sentence talks about a life experience without saying when?2. Quale frase parla di un’esperienza di vita senza dire quando?
3. Which word is commonly used in questions about life experience?3. Quale parola si usa comunemente nelle domande sulle esperienze di vita?
4. Which form follows have or has?4. Quale forma segue have o has?

12. Quick Check12. Quick Check

1. She _____ finished her homework.1. Lei _____ finito i compiti.
2. We _____ seen that film.2. Noi _____ visto quel film.
3. Tom has _____ to the supermarket.3. Tom è _____ al supermercato.
4. I _____ finished yet.4. Non ho ancora finito.
5. _____ you ever tried sushi?5. Hai mai provato il sushi?

13. Challenge Check13. Challenge Check

1. I have _____ arrived, so I’m still at the station.1. Sono appena arrivato, quindi sono ancora alla stazione.
2. She has _____ sent the email.2. Ha già inviato l’email.
3. Choose the correct sentence.3. Scegli la frase corretta.
4. I have lived here _____ 2022.4. Vivo qui _____ 2022.
5. Choose the correct sentence.5. Scegli la frase corretta.

14. Write it in English14. Scrivi in inglese

1. Ho già finito il lavoro.
2. Non ho ancora visto quel film.
3. Sei mai stato a Londra?
4. Marta è appena arrivata.
5. Viviamo qui da tre anni.

15. Sentence correction and transformation15. Correzione e trasformazione delle frasi

1. Correct the sentence.

She has went home.

2. Correct the sentence.

I have seen him yesterday.

3. Rewrite using ALREADY.

They finished the project.

4. Rewrite using NEVER.

This is my first time in Spain.

5. Rewrite using SINCE.

She started working here in 2021 and she still works here.

16. Mini dialogue practice16. Mini dialogo pratico

A: “Have you ever travelled alone?”A: “Hai mai viaggiato da solo?”

17. Guided writing task17. Writing guidato

Write 50–80 words about experiences you have had and things you have done recently. Include at least five Present Perfect features. Scrivi 50–80 parole sulle esperienze che hai avuto e sulle cose che hai fatto recentemente. Includi almeno cinque elementi del Present Perfect.

have/has + participle
ever / never
just / already / yet
for + duration
since + starting point
connector
Capital letter + punctuation + 50 words
Model answer:

I have visited several Italian cities, but I have never been to Sicily. I have already travelled abroad twice, and I have just started planning another trip. I have studied English for three years, and I have attended this school since 2023. I haven’t taken an international exam yet, but I would like to do one soon.

18. Use it in real life18. Usalo nella vita reale

Talk about experienceParla delle esperienze

Example:
I have worked with international clients, but I have never lived abroad.

Give a recent updateDai un aggiornamento recente

Example:
I have just sent the documents, and the manager has already replied.
Want a lasting method to really learn English?Vuoi un metodo duraturo per imparare davvero l’inglese?

Book a consultation and we will help you identify the best path for your level, objectives and timetable.Prenota un colloquio: ti aiuteremo a individuare il percorso più adatto al tuo livello, ai tuoi obiettivi e ai tuoi tempi.

Book a consultationPrenota un colloquio

Final score and reportPunteggio finale e report

Your resultIl tuo risultato

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