The Brave Old Lady and the Hopeless Crook1

Mrs Johns, a 75-year-old widow, woke up with a start. Peering into the darkness, she was astonished (see) a man in her room. It was easy (see) he was a burglar². At first, she was too afraid (move). Then she plucked up³ her courage and said, ‘We must (talk) about this over a cup of tea. Would you be so kind (help) me downstairs?’ To her surprise, the man meekly⁴ obeyed. He was eager (help) and anxious (please) the old lady. He prepared the tea and said he was sorry (have disturbed) her. He was too frightened (run away). After a cup of tea, he said he would be glad (give) Mrs Johns his name and address and left empty-handed. Of course, Mrs Johns informed the police, who commended her for her bravery. Later, during the trial, the judge said it was his duty (send) the man to prison, describing him as the most incompetent burglar he had ever met!

¹crook – шахрай

²burglar – зломщик, грабіжник

³pluck up one’s courage – набратися хоробрості

⁴meekly – покірливо

Дієслова, після яких вживається інфінітив	Дієслова, після яких вживається герундій
agree, dare, decide, expect, fail, happen, hope, manage, mean, offer, prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, seem, wish, choose, forget, need, help, try, want, would like	avoid, can’t help, deny, enjoy, feel like, finish, give up, hate, imagine, keep (on), mind, miss, postpone, practise, risk, stop, spend time, (can’t) stand, suggest

Exercise 11 Put in the correct forms of the verbs.

1. I can’t help (admire) her. She looks really beautifu. 2. We decided (stay) at home. 3. We expect (hear) from Ann soon. 4. Would you like (go) out tonight? 5. I don’t feel like (cook). 6. When do you finish (study)? 7. I’ve given up (smoke). 8. Imagine (be) married to her! 9. I managed (find) a taxi. 10. Would you mind (pass) the bread? 11. I missed (see) the beginning of the film. 12. She pretended (be) ill. 13. I suggest (call) the doctor at once. 14. He spends ages (talk) on the phone. 15. I want (see) the manager. 16. Do you enjoy (watch) football?

Дієслова, після яких вживається інфінітив або герундій без зміни значення	Дієслова, після яких вживається інфінітив або герундій, змінюючи значення
begin, can’t bear, continue, intend, propose, start, need, require	remember, forget, regret, go on, stop, hate, want, try

I still remember buying my first bicycle. (= я пам’ятаю)

Remember to lock the garage door tonight. (= не забудь)

I’ve stopped smoking! (= я перестав)

I stopped for a few minutes to rest. (= я зупинився)

He tried sending her flowers, but it had no effect. (= він намагався знов і знов)

I tried to change/changing the wheel. (= він спробував одноразово)

Exercise 12 Choose the correct verb form. Sometimes two answers are possible.

1. Do you remember (meet) her last year? 2. Sorry, I forgot (post) your letters. 3. I regret (not visit) her when she was ill. 4. We discussed the budget and then went on (talk) about sales. 5. Do you want to go on (learn) English? 6. He doesn’t allow us (make) personal phone calls. 7. The hospital only allows (visit) at weekends. 8. I like (watch) TV in the evenings. 9. Would you like (spend) the weekend with us? 10. Thanks. I’d love (come). 11. If nothing else works, try (read) the instructions. 12. I’ll try (repair) your car tomorrow. 13. We’ll have to stop (get) petrol. 14. He stopped (work) when he was sixty-five. 15. I regret (tell) you that you have failed your examination.

Exercise 13 Translate the sentences, using the Infinitive.

1. Вона щаслива, що вчилась в цьому інституті. 2. Мені незручно, що турбую вас. 3. Він буде радий, що поїхав туди. 4. Я радий запросити вас на вечір. 5. Я радий, що мене послали на цю конференцію. 6. Я хочу послати їй телеграму. 7. Дівчинка любить розповідати казки. 8. Забути цей день було неможливо. 9. Допомогти йому тепер – означає врятувати його. 10. Її мета – стати професіоналом своєї справи. 11. Наше завдання полягало в тому, щоб закінчити роботу до 5 грудня. 12. Вони приїхали в Лондон, щоб брати участь у студентській конференції. 13. Завтра ми поїдемо в аеропорт зустрічати наших колег. 14. Щоб вивчити мову, ви повинні якомога більше читати. 15. Погода була надто гарна, щоб залишитися вдома. 16. Завдання було надто складним, щоб виконати його за годину. 17. В цьому тексті надто багато нових слів, щоб зрозуміти його без словника.