Verb + Infinitive or Verb + ing-Form
1. The following is a list of verbs which can take either the to-infinitive or the gerund with little or no difference in meaning.
| advise | dislike | leave | plan |
| allow | dread | like | prefer |
| begin | forbid | love | propose |
| bother | hate | neglect | start |
| continue | intend | permit | study |
| can 't bear | etc. | ||
| (cease) |
It began to rain just as we went out. Or It began raining just as we went out.
Note:
a) We do not usually have two ing-forms together.
It was starting to get dark.
not It was starting getting dark.
b) Verbs are followed by the to-infinitive after an object:
They allow students to smoke in the bar.
But They allow smoking in the bar.
c) The to-infinitive describes immediate or specific actions / occasions, gerunds describe general actions / activities
/ hate to tell you this, but you are too late.
I hate doing exercise in the morning.
d) Compare these two meanings of the verb like:
| Like to do Like takes a to-infinitive when it means that we prefer to do something even though we may not enjoy it. / like to check my work carefully before I hand it in. | Like doing Like usually takes an ing-form when we use it to talk about hobbies and interests. Jim likes skiing. I don 't like swimming much. |
e) After would like, would love, would prefer and would hate we use a to-infinitive but not usually an ing-form. I'd like to do a parachute jump one day. I'm glad I live here. I'd hate to live in a big city.
2. After the verbs below we can use the infinitive or the ing-form with a different meaning.
| Remember and forget | |
| Remember to phone your doctor. I have to go to the bank. I forgot to sign my check. We use remember / forget to do to say what one has to do. The remembering is before the action. | / can remember phoning him on Friday morning. I'll never forget flying over the Grand Canyon. It was wonderful. We use remember / forget doing to say what one has done, what has happened. |
| Regret | |
| / regret to say that you have failed your exam. Regret to do something means to be sorry for something you are doing, e.g. giving bad news. | / regret spending so much money. I've got none left. Regret doing something means to be sorry because of something that happened in the past. |
| Try | |
| / tried to help but it was no use. Try to do something means to attempt something, to do your best. | Try taking this medicine. Try doing something means to do something which might solve a problem. |
| Stop | |
| An old man walking along the road stopped toask the way. Stop to do something means to stop so that you can do it. | There's too much noise. Can you all stop talking,please? Stop doing somethingmeans to end an action, to finish doing it. |
| Mean | |
| I mean to get to the top by sunrise. Mean to do somethingis the same as to intend to do it. | I'm applying for a visa. It means filling inthis form. Means doing somethingexpresses the idea of one thing resulting in another. |
| Go on | |
| He began by showing us where the island was and went on to tell us about its climate. Go on to do something means to do something else, to do the next thing. | The teacher told everyone to be quiet, but they just went on talking. Go on doing somethingmeans to continue doing it. |
| Need | |
| / need to clean my shoes. This means that I must clean my shoes, I have to clean them. | My shoes need cleaning This means that my shoes need to be cleaned. |
| 3. See it happen or See it happening | |
| We saw Trevor plant the tree. (He planted the tree. We saw him do the whole job.) We noticed a young man sit downand ordera meal. We can use this structure with these verbs: feel, hear, listen to, notice, see, watch. | We saw Trevor planting the tree. (He was planting the tree. We saw him in the middle of the job.) We can use this structure with these verbs: feel, hear, listen to, notice, see, watch, find, smell. |
When we talk about a short action, it often does not matter which structure we use.
They heard a car turn I turning the corner. I didn 't see anyone leave I leaving any litter.
Adjective + to-Infinitive or Adjective + ing -Form?
| Afraid | |
| David is afraid to climbthe ladder. (=He doesn't want to climb the ladder because he is afraid.) Anxious, ashamed, interested and keen Compare these examples. | David is afraid of falling. (=He is afraid because he might fall.) |
| The Smiths are anxious to cometo the party. (=They want to come.) | Mark was anxious about presentinghis report. (=He was worried because he had to present his report.) |
| I'm ashamed to tell you what this carpet cost. (=1 don't want to tell you because I'm ashamed.) | I'm ashamed of payingso much money. (=I'm ashamed because I paid so much money.) |
| I'd be interested to meet Laura. (=1 want to meet her.) | Laura is interested in painting (=It is an interest / a hobby of hers.) |
| We use interested to especially with hear I see I know / read/ learn. | |
| I'm keen to play tennis tomorrow. (=1 want to play tennis.) | I'm keen on playing tennis. (=1 enjoy playing tennis very much.) |
| Structures with sorry | |
| To apologize for something we are doing, we use a to-infinitive. | To apologize for something we did, we can use about + ing-form. |
| I'm sorry to ring so late, but it's important. | I'm sorry about making all that noise last night. (OR I'm sorry I madeall that noise last night.) |
| To express regret, we also use a to-infinitive. | |
| / was sorry to hearthat Mike's uncle had died. |
Practice
1. Match a line on the left with a line on the right. Analyse the use of to- infinitives or ing-forms.
| 1. 2. | They stopped playing football They stopped to play football | a. b. | because they were tired of working, because it got dark. |
| 3. 4. | I simply don't remember giving Please remember to give | a. b. | you any money yesterday, my best wishes to your parents. |
| 5. 6. | Try counting Try to count | a. b. | from 1 to 10 in Arabic. I bet you can't, sheep if you can't get to sleep. |
| 7. | We prefer staying at the Ritz | a. | whenever we're in London. |
| 8. | We'd prefer to stay at the Ritz | b. | next time we're in London. |
| 9. | I like going | a. | home now, please. |
| 10. | I like to go | b. | to the cinema. |
| 11. | I'd like to go | c. | to the dentist twice a year. |
2. Write each pair of sentences as one. Use the correct verbal forms.
Model: Trevor didn't ring Laura. He forgot.
Trevor forgot to ring Laura.
1. Harriet didn't think she could move the piano. She didn't even try.
2. Mike once saw a spaceship. He'll never forget it.
3. What about painting the walls? They need it.
4. Natasha was unkind to Jessica. But she didn't mean it.
5. Andrew was studying. He went on through the night.
6. When Mark was driving, he needed to make a phone call. So he stopped.
7. Tom and Nick had been playing cards for hours. But they went on with the game.
8.1 am sorry but we have decided not to accept your application. I regret about it.
9. I posted the letter on Friday morning. I can remember it.
10. He doesn't smoke any longer. He stopped it.
3. Expend the words or phrases in brackets. Use both the to-infinitive and ing-form whenever possible. The first one has been done for you.
Film Tip of the Week
1. Ifyou intend to go I intend going to the cinema this week, I recommend "Little Helpers".
2. The elderly residents of an apartment block are worried when developers want them to move out and (start / threaten) them.
3. The owners of the block say they won't allow the residents (stay) any longer.
4. But help is on its way. Tiny spaceships from another galaxy arrive and clearly (intend / do) everything they can to help.
5. I shall probably buy the video so that I can watch it every time (I can't bear / watch) anything else on television.
6. Some scenes in the film are rather sad so I (advise / take) a handkerchief with you!
A: Say whether you would like to see that film. What kind of films do you like watching?
4. Put in the to-infinitive or the ing-form of the verbs. The first one has been done for you.
I used to like going to our local cinema. It was old and rather uncomfortable, but it had character. Now they've stopped showing (show) films there. The owner would like to go on... (run) the cinema, but he would need... (make) a lot of improvements, which would mean... (spend) tens of thousands of pounds. I remember... (watch) the last film at the cinema. It was a murder mystery. It was five minutes from the end, and we were trying... (work) out who the murderer was when suddenly all the lights went out and the film stopped. We sat in the dark for a few minutes, and then the owner appeared with a torch. "I regret... (tell) you", he said, "that our electricity has failed. I don't mean... (disappoint) you, but I'm afraid we can't show you the end of the film. We've tried... (phone) the electricity company, but they say they can't help". He went on... (explain) to the audience how the film ended. I didn't understand the story. But I don't regret... (go) to the cinema on that last evening.
A: Describe the events that took place in the cinema.
B: Work in pairs. Ask and answer the questions about the situation:
1. Do cinemas go on running films in your area today?
2. Do you like going to the cinema?
3. Do you try to get seats at the front or at the back of the cinema?
4. What film do you remember watching last time? Continue...
5. Make sentences from the notes. Use either a to-infinitive or an ing-form.
Model: Tessa / want / buy / a new coat / soon. Tessa wants to buy a new coat soon.
1. We / must / avoid / waste / so much time.
2. Sometimes / a country / refuse / take part / in the Olympics.
3. I'd / like / see / the Rocky Mountains / some day.
4.1 mean / give / Judy / a nice welcome / yesterday.
5.1/ always / like / see / my doctor / once a year.
6. The buses / usually / stop / run / before midnight.
7.1 can't face / get up / at five / tomorrow.
8. Last year / we / make / an agreement / work / together.
9. Yesterday / you / promise / carry on / shoot / the film.
10. My father / seem / get / better / not.
6. Combine the remarks into one sentence. Use infinitives or ing-forms after verbs of sense perception.
There has been a bomb explosion in the city centre. TV reporter Kitty Beamish is asking people about it. What did people see or hear?
Model: Man: The bomb exploded. I heard it. It was a shock.
He heard the bomb explode
1. Woman: A man was lying in the road. I saw him.
2. Woman: The building shook. I felt it. I couldn't believe it.
3. Man: People were shouting. I heard them. There was panic.
4. Girl: An alarm was ringing. I could hear it. It went on and on.
5. Boys: The police arrived. We saw them. They were over there.
6. Man: I saw a woman. She was crying. She was in a terrible state.
7. Read the conversation between the policeman and the witnesses of a shoplifting. Complete the blanks using the words in brackets.
"I looked around and suddenly noticed a woman standing
... (notice / woman / stand) very close to the watches. She was acting suspiciously. Then I... (see /her / reach out). I actually... (watch/her/put/something) into her bag".
Other witnesses have said the man shouted "Hands up!" "Did you... (hear / man / shout that)? Did you... (hear / him / say) anything?"
"No, I didn't. But all the time I could... (hear / noises / come/from) the manager's office".
Give an account of the conversation. Say what the witnesses saw/noticed/heard.
8. Look at what people say and write a comment about each person. Use adjective + to-infinitive or adjective + ing- form and prepositions if necessary.
Model:
Vicky: There is a large bull in the field. I don't want to open the gate (afraid). Vicky is afraid to open the gate.
Emma: The path was very icy, so I walked very carefully (afraid / fall). Emma was afraid of falling.
1. Jane: I arrived at the airport in good time. I thought I
might get stuck in traffic (afraid).
2. Sally: I don't usually carry my passport with me (afraid /
lose).
3. Bill: The policeman looked angry. I didn't want to argue
with him (afraid).
4. Julia: I'm worried because I have to go on a trip alone
(anxious).
5. Andrea: I'm looking forward to start my driving course
(anxious).
6. Vince: They are ashamed. They lost the game (ashamed).
7. John: I don't want to speak about the results of the game.
They are quite poor (ashamed).
8. Terry: I play the guitar every day. I like it very much
(keen).
9. Alan: I want to see my relatives at the party (interested).
10. Mary: I'm thinking of visiting this exhibition. I like mod-
ern art (interested).
11. Magi: I was sorry when I heard that Fiona lost her job
(sorry).
12. Mark: Excuse me, I didn't mean to be so rude last night
(sorry).
9. Complete the conversation. Put in to-inflnitives or ing-forms after adjectives. Use prepositions if necessary.
Laura: I'm ashamed to admit (admit) it, but aeroplanes terrify me. I get really anxious about flying (fly). I'm afraid... (buy) a plane ticket. I can't stand being on a plane. I'm afraid... (get) killed. I feel ashamed... (be) so silly.
Rita: Aren't there things you can do to overcome your fear?
Laura: Well, I was interested... (read) in the paper recently that you can go on a course that helps you. I'm anxious... (book) a place on it very soon.
A: Give Laura advice how to stop getting anxious about flying. Use would rather, had better, the verb try...
B: Say what you are anxious about / afraid of/ ashamed of doing; anxious / afraid / ashamed to do.
10. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct forms. Note that sometimes a bare infinitive will be required.
1. A: I want (catch) the 7 a.m. train tomorrow. B: But that means (get) up at 6.00; and you're not very good at (get) up early, are you?
2. He accepted the cut in salary without complaint because he was afraid (complain). He was afraid of (lose) his job.
3. She remembers part of her childhood quite clearly. She remembers (go) to school for the first time and (be) frightened and (put) her finger in her mouth. And she remembers her teacher (tell) her (take) it out.
4. Did you remember (lock) the car? - No, I didn't. I'd better (go) back and (do) it now.
5. Next time we go (house-hunt), remember (ask) the agent for clear directions. I wasted hours (look) for the last house.
6. I meant (buy) an evening paper but I didn't see anyone (sell) them.
7. The lecturer began by (tell) us where the island was, and went on (talk) about its history.
8. A: I can't get my car (start) on cold mornings. B: Have you tried (fill) the radiator with hot water? That sometimes helps.
9. We stopped once (buy) petrol and then we stopped again (ask) someone the way.
10. Your hair needs (cut). You'd better (have) it done tomorrow - unless you'd like me (have) a go at it for you.
11. I tried (convince) him that I was perfectly capable of (manage) on my own, but he insisted on (help) me.
12. I always try (come) in quietly but they always hear me (go) upstairs. It's impossible (climb) an old wooden staircase at night without (make) a noise.
13.1 didn't mean (eat) anything but the cakes looked so good that I couldn't resist (try) one.
14. I don't mind (wait). It's better (be) too early than too late.
15.1 meant (buy) an evening paper but I didn't see anyone (sell) them.
16. We suggested (sleep) in hotels but the children were anxious (camp) out.
11. Open the brackets. Use an infinitive or an ing-form.
Jack Baines is a self-made millionaire, but his beginnings were very lowly. He was the youngest of eight children. His father had a job in the cotton mills of Blackburn, Lancashire in
the 1920s, but he was often unable (work) due to poor health. The family couldn't afford (pay) the rent or bills, and the children often went hungry. After (leave) school at the age of 14, Jack was wondering what (do) when Mr Walker, his old teacher, offered (lend) him $100 to start his own business.
It was just after the war. Raw materials were scarce, and Jack without (listen) to his parent's advice saw a future in scrap metal. He bought bits of metal and stored them in an old garage. When he had built up a sizeable amount, he sold it to local industries for a vast profit.
Jack enjoyed (work) hard and was encouraged (make) the most of his potential by Mr Walker. After one year he had succeeded in repaying the $100 loan and he also managed (give) Mr Walker $100 interest to thank him for his generosity.
By the time Jack was 30 years old he had made his first million, and he wanted (celebrate) this achievement by (do) something "grand". With all his money it was now possible (build) a beautiful home for himself and his parents. In 1959 "Baines Castle" was built in the heart of the Lancashire countryside. It was one of the finest buildings in the county.
Jack has recently sold "Baines Steel" but he still can't get used (live) the good life. He can often be found at the local pub drinking pints with the locals.
"I remember (be) very poor as a child but never unhappy", says Jack, "and I never forget where I come from and who I am".
Lancashire people are proud of their local hero, and if a visitor asks the origins of the "grand" castle on the hill the locals say "Why, it's the house that Jack built".
A: Answer the questions:
1. What is Jack Baines' family background?
2. Why was it difficult for his farther to support the family?
3. What privations did his family have to go through?
4. Who helped Jack to start his own business? What did he do to earn his first money?
5. How long did it take Jack to pay his debt back?
6. How did he thank Mr Walker for his generosity?
7. What did Jack decide to do to celebrate his first million?
8. Has Jack got used to being a rich person? 9. What does he remember about his childhood?
B: Retell the text as a) Jack Baines; b) his parents; c) a Lancashire local.
C: Speak about a self-made person you know. Use different patterns with infinitive and gerund.
12. Read the conversation and say whether you always remember to put the things in the right places. Role-play the dialogue. Mind the use of infinitives and ing-forms.
Peter: Have we done all the shopping now?
Sue: Yes, I think so. I must remember to post this letter.
Peter: I remember passing a post-box somewhere.
Sue: Just a minute, where's my purse? It isn't in my handbag.
Peter: Did you forget to bring it?
Sue: No, I had it not long ago. And my credit card is in there.
Oh, my God, what are we going to do?
Peter: Just stop worrying and think. You must have put it down
somewhere and forgotten to pick it up. Try to remember
when you had it last.
Sue: I remember having it in the shoe shop.
Peter: Then you stopped to buy a newspaper....
Sue: Oh, it's all right. It's here in the shopping bag. Sorry. I
can't remember putting it there.
Peter: You could try chaining it to your hand next time.
A: Can you remember things you did when you were very young? Give examples of things you remember doing.
B: Do you ever forget to do things such as turning off lights or locking doors? Give examples.
C: What advice would you give to someone who forgets to do the things.
13. Read the article and do the exercises below.
