GERUND OR TO-INFINITIVE

I. Some verbs are followed by –ing and some are followed by to-infinitive:

VERBS USUALLY FOLLOWED BY –ING:

ADMIT AVOID CAN'T FACE CAN'T HELP CAN'T RESIST CAN'T STANDCARRY ON CONSIDER DELAY DENY DETEST DISLIKE ENJOYEXCUSE FANCY FINISH GIVE UP IMAGINE INVOLVE JUSTIFYKEEP ON MENTION MIND POSTPONE PRACTISE PUT OFF RESENTRISK SAVE SUGGEST TOLERATE

VERBS USUALLY FOLLOWED BY TO-INFINITIVE:

AGREE AIM APPEAR ARRANGE ASK ATTEMPT BEG CAN'T AFFORDCAN'T WAIT CHOOSE CLAIM DECIDE DEMAND DESIRE EXPECTFAIL GUARANTEE HAPPEN HELP HOPE MANAGE OFFER PLANPREPARE PRETEND PROMISE PROVE REFUSE SEEM TENDTHREATEN TURN OUT UNDERTAKE WANT WISH

II. Some verbs can be followed by –ing or to-infinitive without a change in meaning:

1. BEGIN, CONTINUE, INTEND, START + TO-INF OR –ING FORMHowever, we don't normally have two –ing forms together:

e.g She began crying/to cry. The days are beginning to get shorter.NOT: The days are beginnig getting shorter.

2. ADVISE, ALLOW, ENCOURAGE, PERMIT, RECOMMEND, REQUIRE whenfollowed by an object or in passive forms take a to-infinitive. They take the –ing form when they are not followed by an object.e.g. The teacher doesn't allow us to eat in class.

We aren't allowed to eat in class.They don't allow eating in class.

3. NEED, REQUIRE, WANT are followed by to-inf, the –ing form or the passiveinfinitive.e.g. You need to polish your shoes.

Your shoes need polishing.Your shoes need to be polished.

III. Some verbs can be followed by –ing or to-infinitive with a change inmeaning:

1. FORGET + TO-INF (= forget to do smth.)I'm sorry, I forgot to lock the car.FORGET + -ING FORM (= forget a past event)We'll never forget visiting Paris.

2. REMEMBER + TO-INF (= remember to do smth.)Remember to read the instructions.REMEMBER + ING FORM (= recall a past event)I don't remember meeting Al before.

3. MEAN +TO-INF (=intend to)He means to move to Newcastle.MEAN + -ING FORM (=involve)Working harder means getting more money.

4. GO ON + TO-INF (= finish doing smth. and start doing smth. else)After finishing her BA, she went on to get a master's degree.GO ON + -ING FORM (= continue)She went on watching TV.

5. REGRET + TO-INF (= be sorry to)I regret to tell you that you have failed.REGRET + -ING FORM (= have second thoughts about smth. already done)I regret telling lies.

6. WOULD PREFER + TO-INF (= specific preference)I'd prefer to have an early night tonight.PREFER + -ING FORM (= in general)

I prefer reading a book to watching TV.PREFER + TO-INF + RATHER THAN + INF WITHOUT TOI prefer to read a book (rather) than watch TV.

7. TRY + TO-INF ( = do one's best; attempt)She tried hard to cope with her new job.TRY + -ING FORM (= do smth. as an experiment)Try adding some more sauce to your pasta.

8. WANT + TO-INF (=wish)I want to find a better job.WANT + - ING FORM (= smth. needs to be done)Your dress wants cleaning.

9. STOP + TO-INF (= pause temporarily)He stopped to buy some milk on his way home.STOP + -ING FORM (= finish, cease)

Stop talking to each other please. Other verbs:BE SORRY,HATE,BE AFRAID

EXERCISES

I. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES USING AN INFINITIVE OR AN –ING FORM!1. We had to postpone ____________ tennis because of the bad weather.2. If you will keep ________________ so much, you're bound to get fat.3. He couldn't sleep, so I suggested him ______________ some warm milk.4. I'd really like _________________ my uncle in chicago.5. Before the interview I was required _______________ an application form.6. The dog seems ______________ hungry – you'd better feed him.7. I much prefer _______________ letters to _____________ on the telephone.8. I think you should give up ______________ because you have a very poor

voice.

II. PUT THE VERBS IN BRACKETS INTO THE INFINITIVE OR THE –ING FORM!Kim: I'll never forget _______ (go) to America for the first time. I was incredibly excited,although I was trying ______ (act) cool.Tom: I know. I remember ______ (be) quite envious because I wanted _____ (go) there, too.Kim: Yes, I know. I was a bit over the top, wasn't I? I'm sorry for _________ (behave) sobadly.Tom: Yes, you were! You went on ________ (talk) about America constantly.It was quitefunny though when I think back. You hardly let me _____ (say) a word.Kim: I'm sorry, but you know that in my excitement I nearly left a lot of things behind like mycamera and my money.Tom: I didn't know you have such a bad memory.Kim: I'm not usually so forgetful. I had a lot on my mind. Anyway, I don't rememberactually____________ (leave) anything behind in the end.

III. PUT THE VERBS IN BRACKETS INTO THE CORRECT PASSIVE INFINITIVE OR –INGFORM!

1. His music seems ___________________ (influence) by the rock culture of theseventies.

2. Don't tease him any more. He doesn't enjoy ____________ (laugh at).3. Ann claimed _____________ (invite) to Tom Cruise's wedding while she was in

America.4. Listen carefully because I don't want ____________ (misunderstand).5. Actors consider _________________ (see) on TV as the first step to fame.

IV. WRITE EACH PAIR OF SENTENCES AS ONE. USE A TO-INFINITIVE OR AN –INGFORM!

1. Trevor didn't ring Laura. He forgot.Trevor forgot to ring Laura.

2. Tom and Nick had been playing cards for hours. But they went on with the game.

3. Harriet didn't think she could move the piano.. She didn't even try.

4. Mike once saw a spaceship. He'll never forget it.

5. What about painting the walls? They need it.

6. Natasha was unkind to Jessica. But she didn't mean it.