The Gerund and the Infinitive

Study the following information.

Verbs taking to-infinitive or gerund with a change in meaning

1. forget + to-inf. (= fail to remember to do something) He forgot to take his exercise-book.

forget + V-ing (= not recall a past event) I’ll never forget seeing this accident.

2. remember + to-inf. (= not forget to do something) Please, remember to answer the email.

remember + V-ing (= recall the past action) I don’t remember seeing this man before.

3. regret + to-inf. (= be sorry to – it is normally used in the present simple and is followed by verbs such as say, tell, inform) We regret to inform you that you have failed.

regret + V-ing (=feel sorry about a past action) I regret accepting his invitation.

4. go on + to-inf. (= then, afterwards; finish doing something and start doing something else) She introduced herself and went on to talk about her book.

go on + V-ing (= continue) He went on speculating on the Stock Exchange.

5. mean + to –inf. (= intend to) He means to study psychology.

mean + V-ing (= involve) She is determined to go to the concert even if it means paying a lot of money.

6. would prefer + to-inf. ( specific preference) I’d prefer to walk.

prefer + V-ing (general preference) I prefer reading detective stories.

prefer + to-inf. + rather than + bare inf. I prefer to drive to work rather than take the bus.

7. like + to-inf. (= think that something is good or right to do) I like to pay my bills as soon as I get them.

like + V-ing (= enjoy – general preference) I like meeting people.

would like + to-inf. (= want - specific preference) I would like to think over your offer before accepting it.

8. try + to-inf. (= do one’s best; attempt) We tried to discuss all the issues of the day.

try + V-ing (do something as an experiment) If you can’t find a job, try placing an announcement in the newspaper.

9. want + to-inf. (= wish) I want to curtail my losses.

want + V-ing. (= something need to be done). The problem wants discussing.

10. stop + to-inf. (= pause temporally to do something else) We stopped to exchange our opinions on the matter.

stop + V-ing (= finish, cease) We stopped studying and switched on the TV.

11. be sorry + to-inf. (= regret) I was sorry to hear he failed the exam.

be sorry for + V-ing (= apologize for) She was sorry for yielding at him.

12. hate + to-inf. (= not like about one is about to do) I hate to argue but you are definitely wrong.

hate + V-ing (= feel sorry what one is doing) I hate bothering you at such a late hour.

13. be afraid + to-inf. (= hesitate to do something; be too frighten to do something) He was afraid to say a word.

be afraid of + V-ing (= the subject is afraid that what is described by the –ing form may happen) She doesn’t want to drive her father’s car. She’s afraid of crashing it.

1. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form adding prepositions where necessary.

1. Jane and Mark went on _______ (argue) over the details for another two hours. 2. He told his name and went on _______ (introduce) us to his guests. 3. We didn’t mean _______ (interrupt) you. 4. Being a nurse means _______ (work) long hours. 5. She tried _______ (finish) writing her report though it was difficult. 6. Just try _______ (eat) more fruit. It’s good for your health. 7. He regrets _______ (argue) with his colleagues. 8. We regret _______ (inform) you that the meeting will be cancelled. 9. Oh, no! I forgot _______ (lock) the front door. 10. I’ll never forget _______ (win) my first game. 11. She likes _______ (read) science fiction. She says it’s very exciting. 12. I like _______ (go) to the dentist every six months. 13. I must remember _______ (post) these letters today. 14. I remember _______ (read) the book but I don’t remember who wrote it. 15. I am sorry for _______ (forget) to phone you. 16. I’m sorry _______ (tell) you that you have failed your exam. 17. She is afraid _______ (take) this job. She is afraid, she won’t manage it. 18. She never wears her diamonds. She is afraid _______ (rob). 19. I have stopped _______ (watch) horror films because they give me nightmares. 20. We stopped _______ (buy) some food before continuing our journey.

2. Fill in the correct form of the infinitive or gerund.

1. I advise you _______ (take) some money in case the banks are shut. 2. My mother used _______ (encourage) me to study history. 3. Do you remember _______ (meet) a friend of yours. 4. When you finish _______ (look) through the journals, go on _______ (study) the documents. 5. Would you mind _______ (put off) this matter till next week. 6. Why don’t we try _______ (carry out) new methods of investigation? 7. Don’t forget _______ (lock) the door before you leave the office. 8. We stopped _______ (read) the documents _______ (have) a rest. 9. He put off _______ (tell) her bad news. 10. I really regret _______ (inform) you that they complained about your bad behaviour. 11. I suggest _______ (look) this word up in the dictionary. 12. David was too afraid _______ (act) as a chief. 13. He doesn’t look old enough _______ (be) responsible for his actions. 14. I couldn’t stop _______ (wonder) whether I had taken the right steps. 15. In general I prefer _______ (deal) with all the problems on my own. 16. I’m sorry I didn’t mean _______ (hurt) you. 17. I hate _______ (be) late again. 18. I need to get a job. I’m tired of _______ (have) to rely on parents for money. 19. Have you considered _______ (move) to another city? 20. I can’t stand _______ (listen) to you complaining all the time.

3. Translate into English.

1. У дорозі ми зупинилися, щоб відпочити. 2. Я шкодую, що сперечалася з батьками. 3. Я боюся носити діамантові сережки, тому що боюся загубити їх. 4. Я пам’ятаю, що читала цю книгу, але не пам’ятаю, хто її автор. 5. Я люблю ходити до стоматолога раз на півроку. 6. Спробуйте їсти більше фруктів та овочів. Це буде корисно для вашого здоров’я. 7. Ми не хотіли перебивати вас. 8. Він представився, а потім представив свою дружину. 9. Я перестав переглядати фільми жахів, бо через них у мене кошмарні сни. 10. Мені шкода повідомити, але сьогоднішня вистава анульована (cancel) 11. Я ніколи не забуду, як ми подорожували Європою. 12. Я повинен пам’ятати, що треба відіслати листи. 13. Бути лікарем означає напружено працювати. 14. Він продовжував спати ще кілька годин. 15. Вона намагалася закінчити свої уроки, хоча було дуже важко. 16. Не забудь узяти гроші вдома. 17. Я раджу написати скаргу. 18. Я не раджу вам підписувати документи. 19. Нам порадили звернутися до адвоката. 20. Він рекомендував нам замовити номер у готелі заздалегідь. 21. Лікар не рекомендує їсти ці продукти. 22. Нам рекомендували поїхати до Криму на відпочинок.

4. Choose the correct answer.

1. I don’t advise …… in the office.

a) smoking; b) to smoke; c) smoke; d) to have smoke;

2. Paul noticed a woman …… at him while he was waiting at the station.

a) to stare; b) staring; c) has stared; d) stares;

3. My father objects …. my mother with the housework.

a) to help; b) help; c) have helped; d) to helping;

4. He is said …. to the police during his interrogation.

a) to lie; b) lying; c) to have lied; d) lied;

5. I really can’t risk the children … these awful programmes.

a) seeing; b) to see; c) see; d) to have seen;

6. I prefer eating out …. cooking at home.

a) than; b) from; c) to; d) of;

7. …. seem to be a lot of people here.

a) They; b) There; c) It; d) These;

8. Do you fancy … a pizza tonight?

a) to order; b) have ordered; c) ordering; d) order;

9. Don’t forget to congratulate Robin …. passing her driving test.

a) from; b) with; c) on; d) about.

10. Jane may … already.

a) have left; b) has left; c) left; d) leave;

11. Lara is incapable (1) …. lying and she has no reason (2)…. not telling the truth.

a) of; b) in; c) for; d) at;

12. He must …. the police about the robbery at once when he saw it.

a) informed; b) have informed; c) inform; d) has informed;

13. Is it worth …. so much money on space travel?

a) have spent; b) to spend; c) spend; d) spending;

14. I saw her 1)…… the corner and 2)……. .

(1) a) turned; b) turns; c) turn; d) turning;

(2) a) disappear; b) disappearing; c) disappeared; d) disappears.

15. They have postponed ….. house till next week.

a) to move; b) move; c) moving; d) will move;

16. The accident is supposed ….. by reckless driving.

a) to have caused; b) to have been caused; c) having been caused; d) to cause;

17. She was made … the truth.

a) tell; b) telling; c) to tell; d) have hold;

18. He complained to me …. my never paying attention to details.

a) with; b) on; c) about; d) over.

19. She is believed … drugs for a long time.

a) was taking; b) to be taking; c) taking; d) to have been taking;

20. I can’t hear the speaker ….. the result of voting.

a) to announce; b) announcing; c) announce

21. How do you know the man stole the watch? – I saw him …. it in the pocket and leave the shop without paying.

a) put; b) putting; c) puts; d) to put;

22. He … to meet her yesterday.

a) happen; b) to happen; c) happened; d) was happened;

23. He … to be a brilliant artist.

a) expects; b) expected; c) is expecting; d) is expected;

24. The contract is reported … last week.

a) to sign; b) to be signed; c) to have been signed; d) to have been signing;

25. I’m looking forward …………. in June

a) to meet her; b) to meeting her; c) meeting her; d) to have met her;

26. The arrested man was suspected … into a house.

a) of breaking; b) in breaking; c) break; d) to break;

27. After a long time we eventually succeeded …. the crime.

a) of prevent; b) in preventing; c) to prevent; d) preventing;

28. He was the first runner ... the marathon.

a) finish; b) to finish; c) finishing ; d) on finishing;

29. I quite fancy ... out for a Chinese meal tonight.

a) to go; b) to going; c) going; d) go;

30. He admitted .... in court.

a) lie; b) to lying; c) to lie; d) have lied.

31 You ... better go to your doctor. a) had; b) would; c) should; d) have;

32. I suggest ... his suggestion tomorrow.

a) considering; b) to consider; c) consider; d) to be considering;

33. I would rather .... a novel than read a biography.

a) to read; b) having read; c) read; d) reading;

34.We rushed to the station only ... after the train had left.

a) to arrive; b) to arriving; c) arriving; d) arrive;

35. What made you ... this offence?

a) to commit; b) to committing; c) committing; d) commit.