Verb "to do" vs. doing

[Ivo]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #117 "Past Tenses", question 9

He actually denied ......... anything of the sort.

(a) to do
(b) done
(c) did
(d) doing

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #117 "Past Tenses", answer 9

He actually denied doing anything of the sort.

Correct answer: (d) doing

Your answer was: incorrect
He actually denied to do anything of the sort.
_________________________

i do not understand why the correct answer is * doing*

Ivo

[Mister Micawber]

.
We need a gerund object of deny. Many verbs do not take an infinitive object, and deny is one of them.

If the verb had been love, then either answer would serve:

He loved doing / to do anything of that sort.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber