The Infinitive without to is used
*after: most modal verbs (can, must, will etc). You can leave now if you want.
* after: had better / would rather. I'd rather not go out tonight. I'd better stay at home.
* after: make / let / see / hear / feel + object. They made him pay for the damage. but: in the passive: be made / be heard / be seen + to V He was made to pay for the damage.
* know and help are followed by a to-infinitive or an infinitive without to. I've never known him (to) be so mean. Could you help me (to) fix the car? but: in the passive: be known, be helped + to V She was known to have worked as a teacher.
Subject of the Infinitive /-ing form
When the subject of the infinitive or of the -ing form is different from the subject of the verb, then an object pronoun (me, you, him, her, it, us, you, them) or a noun is placed before the infinitive or the -ing form. I want him/John to help me. (= He should help me.) but: I want to help. (= I should help.) The subject of the -ing form can also be a possessive adjective (my, your etc) or the possessive form of the noun. I remember his /him /Tim's /Tim talking about that island.
Participles
Present participles (Ving) describe what somebody or something is. The exhibition was fascinating. (What was the exhibition like? -Fascinating.)
Past participles (Ved, V3) describe how someone feels. The students were fascinated by the exhibition. (How did the students feel about the exhibition? - Fascinated.)
USING VERBS OF PERCEPTION |
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(a) I saw my friend run down the street. (b) I saw my friend running down the street. (c) I heard the rain fall on the roof. (d) I heard the rain falling on the roof. |
Certain verbs of perception are followed by either the simple form* or the -ing form** of a verb. There is often little difference in meaning between the two forms, except that the -ing form usually gives the idea of "while." In (b); I saw my friend while she was running down the street. |
(e) When I walked into the apartment, I heard my roommate singing in the shower. (f) I heard a famous opera star sing at the concert last night. |
Sometimes (not always) there is a clear difference between using the simple form or the -ing form. The use of the -ing form gives the idea that an activity is already in progress when it is perceived, as in (e): The singing was in progress when I first heard it. In (f): I heard the singing from beginning to end. It was not in progress when I first heard it. |
VERBS OF PERCEPTION FOLLOWED BY THE SIMPLE FORM OR THE -ING FORM see look at hear feel smell notice observe listen to watch |
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* The simple form of a verb = the infinitive form without "to." INCORRECT: I saw my friend to run down the street. **The -ing form refers to the present participle.
EXERCISE 1. Complete the sentences with an appropriate preposition.
1. Alice isn't interested ……… (look) for a new job.
2. Henry is excited ……… (leave) for India.
3. You are capable ……… (do) better work.
4. I have no excuse ……… (be) late.
5. I'm accustomed ……… (have) a big breakfast.
6. The rain prevented us ……… (complete) the work.
7. Fred is always complaining ……… (have) a headache.
8. Instead ……… (study), Margaret went to a ballgame with some of her friends.
9. Thank you ……… (help) me carrying my suitcases.
10. Mrs. Grant insisted ……… (know) the whole truth.
11. I believe ……… (be) honest at all times.
12. You should take advantage ……… (live) here.
13. Fatima had a good reason ……… (go, not) to class yesterday.
14. Everyone in the neighborhood participated ……… (search) for the lost child.
15. I apologized toYoko ……… (make) her wait for me.
16. The weather is terrible tonight. I don't blame you ……… (want, not) to go to the meeting.
17. Who is responsible ……… (wash) and (dry) the dishes after dinner?
18. In addition ……… (go) to school full time, Spiro has a part-time job.
19. I stopped the child ……… (run) into the street.
20. Where should we go for dinner tonight? Would you object ……… (go) to an Italian restaurant?
21. The mayor made another public statement for the purpose ……… (clarify) the new tax proposal.
22. The thief was accused …….. (steal) a woman's purse.
23. The jury found Mr. Adams guilty ……… (take) money from the company he worked for and (keep) it for himself.
24. Larry isn't used ……… (wear) a suit and tie every day.
25. I'm going to visit my family during the school vacation. I'm looking forward ……… (eat) my mother's cooking and (sleep) in my own bed.
Exercise 2. Select the correct answer for each sentence.
1. Whenever we met, Jack avoided …… at me.
A. to look B. looking
2. Most people enjoy …………… to different parts of the world.
A. to travel B. traveling
3. Marjorie needs ………….. another job. Her present company is going out of business.
A. to find B. finding
4. May I change the TV channel, or do you want …………. more of this program?
A. to watch B. watching
5. Joan is considering …………… her major from pre-med studies to psychology.
A. to change B. changing
6. Although Joe slammed on his brakes, he couldn't avoid ………… the small dog that suddenly darted out in front of his car.
A. to hit B. hitting
7. I hope ………… my autobiography before I die. Do you think anyone would read it?
A. to write B. writing
8. Joyce thanked us for ……………. them to dinner and said that they wanted to have us over for dinner next week.
A. to invite B. inviting
9. If you delay ……….. your bills, you will only incur more and more interest charges.
A. to pay B. paying
10. My lawyer advised me not………….. anything further about the accident.
A. to say B. saying
11. A procrastinator is one who habitually postpones ………….things.
A. to do B. doing
12. You should plan ………..at the stadium early or you won't be able to get good seats.
A. to arrive B. arriving
13. My mom asked me ……….up some eggs at the supermarket on my way home from work.
A. to pick B. picking
14. Nobody has offered ………. the house next door, so I think they're going to lower the price.
A. to buy B. buying
15. The highway patrol advises ………… the old route through the city because the interstate highway is under major repairs.
A. to take B. taking
16. Would you mind ………that apple for me? My arthritis is acting up in my right hand.
A. to peel B. peeling
17. Stop ………….. me! I'll get everything finished before I go to bed.
A. to nag B. nagging
18. When the university suggested ………the tuition again, the student senate protested
vigorously.
A. to raise B. raising
19. Are we permitted ……guests to the ceremony? I'd like to invite my friend to join us.
A. to bring B. bringing
20. The city council agreed ……. the architect's proposed design for a new parking garage.
A. to accept B. accepting
Exercise 3. Choose the best answer or answers. In some cases, BOTH answers are correct.
1. John was trying the door with the wrong key.
A. unlocking B. to unlock
2. The audience began ………….before the curtains closed.
A. clapping B. to clap
3. The soccer teams continued ………….. even though it began to snow.
A. playing B. to play
4. We like ………….. outside when the weather is warm and sunny.
A. eating B. to eat
5. We began ………. to the news when we heard the Olympics mentioned.
A. listening B. to listen
6. I was just beginning …………. asleep when the phone rang.
A. falling B. to fall
7. I really hate ………….. late for appointments.
A. being B. to be
8. The cake was starting ………….. when I took it out of the oven.
A. burning B. to burn
9. She's so impatient! She can't stand…………. in line for anything.
A. waiting B. to wait
10. I prefer … my bicycle to work because the automobile traffic is too heavy.
A. riding B. to ride
11. Lillian prefers … to taking the bus.
A. walking B. to walk
12. Tim prefers ……….. than to jog for exercise.
A. walking B. to walk
13. The baby loves … in the car.
A. riding B. to ride
14. Near the end of the performance, the audience began ……… their feet on the floor.
A. stamping B. to stamp
15. The audience began to clap and ……….. their feet on the floor.
A. stamping B. (to) stamp
16. The audience began clapping and ………. their feet on the floor.
A. stamping B. (to) stamp
17. My son sometimes forgets ……….. the stove when he is finished cooking.
A. turning off B. to turn off
18. Alex will never forget ………….. his first helicopter ride.
A. taking B. to take
19. Would you please remember ………….away all the tapes when you're finished listening to them?
A. putting B. to put
20. I remember …………… them away when I finished with them last night.
A. putting B. to put
21. I remember …………..Bolivia for the first time. It's a beautiful country.
A. visiting B. to visit
22. What am I going to do? I forgot ………….my calculus text, and I need it for the review today.
A. bringing B. to bring
23. My boss regrets …………his secretary now that she is gone.
A. firing B. to fire
24. The letter said, "I regret ……….. you that your application has been denied."
A. informing B. to inform
25. I haven't been able to get in touch with Shannon. I tried ………. her. Then I tried ……… her a letter. I tried …….. a message with her brother when I talked to him. Nothing worked.
A. calling ... writing ... leaving B. to call ... to write ... to leave
26. I always try ……….. my bills on time, but sometimes I'm a little late.
A. paying B. to pay
Exercise 4. Choose the correct answer.
1. The groom anticipated …………. the wedding ceremony.
A. enjoying B. to enjoy
2. The department store agreed ………. back the damaged radio.
A. taking B. to take
3. Would the doctor mind ………some time talking to me after the examination?
A. spending B. to spend
4. We miss ………..Professor Sanders in Asian history this quarter.
A. having B. to have
5. Dan failed ……………the firefighter's examination and was quite upset.
A. passing B. to pass
6. The travelers anticipated …………safely at their destination.
A. arriving B. to arrive
7. She expects ……………her baby at the new hospital.
A. delivering B. to deliver
8. The bad weather caused us ………..our connecting flight to Rome.
A. missing B. to miss
9. We dislike ………..dinner at 9:00 P.M.
A. eating B. to eat
10. Most of the students completed ……… their research papers on time.
A. writing B. to write
11. My niece hopes ………..with me to Disneyland next April.
A. traveling B. to travel
12. This note will remind me ……… the chicken for dinner tomorrow night.
A. defrosting B. to defrost
13. Willy denied ……….a whole bag of chocolate chip cookies before lunch.
A. eating B. to eat
14. You must swear ……….the truth in a court of law.
A. telling B. to tell
15. I didn't mean ………..him.
A. interrupting B. to interrupt
Exercise 5. Put the verbs in brackets into the -ing form or the infinitive.
1. Tom stopped (pick up) his washing on the way home.
2. If you don't stop (smoke), you'll make yourself ill.
3. Try (phone) John at the office if he's not at home.
4. I tried my best (finish), but there just wasn't enough time.
5. He was promoted in 1990 and went on (become) a company director.
6. The band went on (play) even after the lights had gone out.
7. "Why is the baby crying?" "I think he wants (feed)."
8. Sharon wants (talk) to you.
9. Jane was afraid (show) her school report to her parents.
10. I'm afraid of (lose) my way in the forest.
11. What do you mean (do) with all that money?
12. Playing a musical instrument well means (practise) for years.
13. I regret (inform) you that your husband has been arrested.
14. She regrets (spend) so much money on her new dress.
15. Do you remember (ride) a bicycle for the first time?
16. Remember (post) the letters on your way home.
17. I'd prefer (pretend) I didn't hear what you just said.
18. I prefer (borrow) books from the library to (buy) them.
19. Don't forget (bring) some cash in case they don't accept credit cards.
20. I was sorry (hear) about you failing the exam.
21. He said he was sorry for (speak) to you so rudely.
22. Oh no! I totally forgot (turn off) the cooker.
23. I’ll never forget (sail) through that storm in the Atlantic.
Exercise 6. Adjectives followed by infinitives. Complete the sentences with infinitives.
1. I was glad ……… a letter from you.
2. I was relieved ……… that I had passed the exam.
3. Sue is lucky ……… alive after the accident.
4. The soldiers were prepared ……… .
5. The children are anxious ……… to the circus.
6. Dick didn't feel like going anywhere. He was content ……… home and ……… a book.
7. The teacher is always willing ……… us.
8. The students are motivated ……… English.
9. Be careful not ……… on the icy sidewalks!
10. Tom was hesitant ……… home alone on the dark street.
11. Sally is afraid ……… home alone.
12. Ann is proud ……… the top student in her class.
13. I was surprised ……… Mr. Yamamoto at the meeting.
14. We were sorry ……… the bad news.
Exercise 7. Too vs. very. Add too or very to the sentences as appropriate.
1. The box is ……… heavy, but I can lift it.
2. John dropped his physics course because it was ……… difficult for him.
3. I think it's ……… late to get tickets to the concert. I heard they were all sold.
4. It's ……… cold today, but I'm still going to take my daily walk.
5. Our cat is fourteen years old. Now he's ……… old to catch mice in the field across the street.
6. It's ……… dark to see in here. Please turn on the lights.
7. She was ……… ill. Nevertheless, she came to the family reunion.
8. The boys were ……… busy to help me clean out the garage, so I did it myself.
9. Learning a second language is ……… difficult, but most of the students are doing well.
10. We enjoyed our dinner at the restaurant last night. It was ……… good.
11. Professor Andrews is always …. interesting, but I'm ……… tired to go to the lecture tonight.
12. He's ……… young to understand. He'll understand when he's older.
13. The meal was ……… good. I enjoyed every morsel.
14. I'm ……… sleepy to watch the rest of the TV movie. Let me know how it turns out.
15. Sally was running ……… fast for me to keep up with her, so I lagged behind.
Exercise 8. Passive infinitives. Choose the correct answer.
1. When I told Tim the news, he seemed ……… A. to surprise B. to be surprised
2. The children agreed ……… the candy equally. A. to divide B. to be divided
3. Janice is going to fill out an application. She wants ……… for the job. A. to consider B. to be considered
4. The mail is supposed ……… at noon. A. to deliver B. to be delivered
5. I expect ……… at the airport by my uncle.A. to meet B. to be met
6. Mr. Steinberg offered ……… us to the train station. A. to drive B. to be driven
7. The children appear ……… about the trip. A. to excite B. to be excited
Exercise 9. Passive gerunds. Choose the correct answer.
1. I don't appreciate ……… when I'm speaking. A. interrupting B. being interrupted
2. Avoid ……… your houseplants too much water. A. giving B. being given
3. The mountain climbers are in danger of ……… by an avalanche. A. killing B. being killed
4. Does Dr. Johnson mind …….. at home if his patients need his help? A. calling B. being called
5. I'm interested in ……… my communication skills. A. improving B. being improved
6. Mrs. Gates appreciated ……… breakfast in bed when she wasn't feeling well.
A. serving B. being served
7. Sally's low test scores kept her from ……… to the university. A. admitting B. being admitted
8. Mr. Miller gave no indication of ……… his mind. A. changing B. being changed
Exercise 10. Passive infinitives and gerunds. Choose the correct answer.
1. Instead of ……… about the good news, Tom seemed to be indifferent.
A. exciting C. to excite
B. being excited D. to be excited
2. The new students hope ……… in many of the school's social activities.
A. including C. to include
B. being included D. to be included
3. The owner of the building supply store doesn't mind ……… his customers discounts when
they buy in large quantities.
A. giving C. to give
B. being given D. to be given
4. Jack got into trouble when he refused ……… his briefcase for the customs officer.
A. opening C. to open
B. being opened D. to be opened
5. Barbara didn't mention ……… about her progress report at work, but I'm sure she is.
A. concerning C. to concern
B. being concerned D. to be concerned
6. The City Parks Department is putting in several miles of new trails because so many people have said that they enjoy ……… on them.
A. walking C. to walk
B. being walked D. to be walked
7. You'd better save some money for a rainy day. You can't count on ……… by your parents every time you get into financial difficulty.
A. rescuing C. to rescue
B. being rescued D. to be rescued
8. Please forgive me. I didn't mean ……… you.
A. upsetting C. to upset
B. being upset D. to be upset
9. I don't remember ……… of the decision to change the company policy on vacations. When was it decided?
A. telling C. to tell
B. being told D. to be told
10. Ms. Drake expects ……… about any revisions to her manuscript before it is printed.
A. consulting C. to consult
B. being consulted D. to be consulted
11. Sally gave such a good speech that I couldn't resist ……… loudly when she finished.
A. applauding C. to applaud
B. being applauded D. to be applauded
12. Tommy admitted ……… the rock through the window.
A. throwing C. to throw
B. being thrown D. to be thrown
13. If you want to develop inner tranquility, you have to stop ……… by every little thing that happens.
A. bothering C. to bother
B. being bothered D. to be bothered
14. Paul really didn't mind ……… by the party to celebrate his fortieth birthday, although he told his friends that they shouldn't have done it.
A. surprising C. to surprise
B. being surprised D. to be surprised
15. Anne hopes ……… to join the private club. She could make important business contacts there.
A. inviting C. to invite
B. being invited D. to be invited
Exercise 11. Past and past-passive infinitives and gerunds. Choose the correct answer.
1. Are you sure you told me? I don't recall ……… about it.
A. having told C. to have told
B. having been told D. to have been told
2. Tom made a bad mistake at work, but his boss didn't fire him. He's lucky ……… a second
chance.
A. having given C. to have given
B. having been given D. to have been given
3. Dr. Wilson is a brilliant and dedicated scientist who had expected to be selected as the director of the institute. She was very surprised not ……… the position.
A. having offered C. to have offered
B. having been offered D. to have been offered
4. By the time their baby arrives, the Johnsons hope ………/ painting and decorating the new nursery.
A. having finished C. to have finished
B. having been finished D. to have been finished
5. The stockbroker denied ……… of the secret business deal.
A. having informed C. to have informed
B. having been informed D. to have been informed
6. The Smiths wanted to give their son every advantage. However, they now regret ……… him by providing too many material possessions.
A. having spoiled C. to have spoiled
B. having been spoiled D. to have been spoiled
7. The spy admitted ……… some highly secret information to enemy agents.
A. having given C. to have given
B. having been given D. to have been given
Exercise 12. Review: gerunds and infinitives. Choose the correct answer.
1. Alice didn't expect ……… to Bill's party.
A. asking B. being asked C. to ask D. to be asked
2. I finally finished ……… at 7:00 P.M. and served dinner.
A. cooking B. being cooked C. to cook D. to be cooked
3. Sam always remembers ……… in the garage so that the driveway is free for other cars.
A. parking B. being parked C. to park D. to be parked
4. The nurse suggested ……… two aspirin.
A. taking B. being taken C. to take D. to be taken
5. Would you mind not ……… the radio until I've finished with this phone call?
A. turning on B. being turned on C. to turn on D. to be turned on
6. They were fortunate ……… from the fire before the building collapsed.
A. rescuing B. to have rescued C. to rescue D. to have been rescued
7. The mouse family avoided ……… by coming out only when the house was empty and the two cats were outside.
A. catching B. being caught C. to have been caught D. to be caught
8. The baby continued ……… even after she was picked up.
A. being crying B. having cried C. to cry D. having been crying
9. Arthur pretended not ……… hurt when his younger sister bit him.
A. having B. be C. to have D. to have been
10. We were shocked to hear the news of your ……… .
A. having fired B. having been fired C. to be fired D. to have been fired
11. Even though she was much younger than the other children, Alexis demanded ……… in the game they were playing.
A. including B. being including C. to include D. to be included
12. Our mechanic said that he expects the brakes on the car ……… before we pick it up.
A. fixing B. being fixed C. to have fixed D. to have been fixed
13. Marge’s children are used to ……… after school every day. They don't have to walk home.
A. picking up B. being picked up C. be picked up D. pick up
14. The bus driver was so tired of ……… the same route every day that he asked for a transfer.
A. to drive B. being driven C. driving D. drive
15. I'm sure it's not my fault that Peter found out what we were planning. I don't remember …… anyone about it.
A. having told B. being told C. to tell D. to be told
Exercise 13. Let, help, and causative verbs. Choose the correct answer(s).
1. Instead of buying a new pair of shoes, I had my old ones ……… .
A. repair B. to repair C. repaired
2. I helped my daughter ……… her homework.
A. finish B. to finish C. finished
3. I made my son ……… the windows before he could go outside to play with his friends.
A. wash B. to wash C. washed
4. Maria had her landlord ……… the broken window before winter.
A. fix B. to fix C. fixed
5. To please my daughter, I had her old bicycle ……… bright red.
A. paint B. to paint C. painted
6. Sam was reluctant, but we finally got him ……… his guitar for us.
A. play B. to play C. played
7. When I had to make an emergency phone call, the secretary let me ……… her phone.
A. use B. to use C. used
8. Jack, could you help me ……… a place in the garden to plant some tomatoes?
A. dig B. to dig C. dug
9. Before we leave, let's have Shelley ……… a map for us so we won't get lost.
A. draw B. to draw C. drawn
10. Are you going to let me ……… that last piece of blueberry pie?
A. eat B. to eat C. eaten
Exercise 14. Verb form review. Choose the correct answer.
1. I enjoy ……… to the park on summer evenings.
A. to go B. going C. being gone D. go
2. Don't forget ……… home as soon as you arrive at your destination.
A. to call B. calling C. having called D. to be called
3. When I kept getting unwanted calls, I called the phone company and had my phone number ……… .The process was easier than I expected it to be.
A. change B. changed C. to change D. changing
4. Jean should seriously consider ……… an actress. She is a very talented performer.
A. to become B. become C. becoming D. will become
5. ……… television to the exclusion of all other activities is not a healthy habit for a growing child.
A. To be watched B. Being watched C. Watching D. Watch
6. After their children had grown up, Mr. and Mrs. Sills decided ……… to a condominium in the city. They've never been sorry.
A. to have moved B. moving C. move D. to move
7. I truly appreciated ……… to give the commencement address, but I wasn't able to accept the honor because of a previous commitment.
A. asking B. to have asked C. to ask D. having been asked
8. The store manager caught the cashier ……… money from the cash register and promptly called the police. They discovered that it had been going on for a long time.
A. to sneak B. sneaking C. to have sneaked D. being sneaked
9. My roommate's handwriting is very bad, so he had me ……… his paper for him last night.
A. to type B. type C. to have typed D. typed
10. The municipal authorities advised ……… all drinking water during the emergency.
A. to boil B. to be boiled C. boiling D. boil
11. If we leave now for our trip, we can drive half the distance before we stop ……… lunch.
A. having B. to have C. having had D. for having
12. Our schedule is not working out. We should discuss ……… our daily routine. I don't feel as though we're getting enough accomplished.
A. changing B. to change C. to have changed D. being changed
13. I can't recall ……… that old movie, but maybe I did many years ago.
A. having seen B. to have seen C. to see D. having been seen
14. Our school basketball team won the championship game by ……… two points in the last five seconds. It was the most exciting game I have ever attended.
A. being scored B. to score C. scoring D. score
15. The flight attendants made all the passengers ………/ their seat belts during the turbulence.
A. to buckle C. buckling B. to have buckled D. buckle
16. It has become necessary …… water in the metropolitan area because of the severe drought.
A. rationing B. ration C. to have rationed D. to ration
17. You can't blame Ralph for ……… to eat that dessert. It looked delicious.
A. to be tempted B. tempted C. be tempted D. having been tempted
18. Let's leave early so we'll be ahead of the rush of commuters. We can't risk ……… in heavy traffic during rush hour.
A. holding up B. being held up C. having held up D. to hold up
19. It is always interesting ……… people in airports while you're waiting for a flight.
A. being observed C. to have observed B. observe D. to observe
20. I got everyone in the family ……… Jane's birthday card before I sent it to her.
A. sign B. signed C. to sign D. having signed
Exercise 15. Fill in the correct form of the infinitives.
1. My boss expects me (work) overtime.
2. The suspect claimed (watch) TV at the time of the robbery.
3. Jill's teacher is worried about her as she seems (have) difficulty coping with her studies.
4. Young children often ask (take) to the zoo.
5. The burglars must have come in through the window as the lock seems (force).
6. "I happen (pass) my driving test two years ago, you know," he said.
7. Robert is expecting (inherit) a large house when his grandfather dies.
8. "Mark appears (overtake) John on the last lap. Yes, he's passed him!"
9. Leslie seems (enjoy) her new job.
10. I'd like (book) a return ticket to Denver, please.
11. Stop pretending (eat) your food - just finish it up, please.
12. The manager seems (get) impatient with the interviewee.
Exercise 16. Rephrase the following using Infinitive or the –ing-form:
1. You have to eat your carrots. I want …………………………….
2. I must exercise more often. I want …………………………….
3. She has to take her medicine every day. The doctor wants………………….
4. I saw him give you the letter. I remember …………………….
5. He has to talk to me politely. I want ………………………….
6. They mustn't go to bed late. I don’t want ……………………
7. We visited Sue before Christmas. I remember …………………….
Exercise 17. Put the verbs in brackets into the -ing form or the infinitive.
Kim: I'll never forget 1) (go) to America for the first time. I was incredibly excited although I was trying 2) (act) cool and casual.
Tom: I know. I remember 3) (be) quite envious because I wanted 4) (go) there too.
Kim: Yes, I know. I was a bit over the top, wasn't I? I'm sorry for 5) (behave) so badly.
Tom: Yes, you were! You just went on 6) (talk) about America constantly. It was quite funny though when I think back. You hardly let me 7) (say) a word.
Kim: I'm sorry, but you know that in my excitement I nearly left a lot of things behind like my camera and my money.
Tom: I didn't know you had such a bad memory.
Kim: I'm not usually so forgetful. I had a lot on my mind. Anyway, I don't remember actually 8) (leave) anything behind in the end.
Tom: How did you feel when you first arrived there?
Kim: I remember 9) (worry) about what to do and where to go. I wanted 10) (see) everything but I didn't know where 11) (begin).
Tom: So where did you go first?
Kim: Well, we started in New York. At first, the traffic was so bad that I was afraid 12) (cross) the road. But it got easier. I saw the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty and lots of other things. It was incredible! I love New York!
Exercise 18. Put the verbs in brackets into the infinitive or the -ing form.
I hate 1) (sit) in this awful cell day after day. I must admit that I regret 2) (rob) that bank but I regret 3(be) caught even more! I tried so hard 4) (become) a successful criminal because I've never really wanted 5) (work). My mother meant 6) (bring me up) properly, but she failed. I remember 7) (lie) and 8) (steal) when I was a teenager and I stopped 9) (go) to school when I was 15. I'll never forget the police 10) (arrest) me for the first time. I still went on 11) (break) the law when I got out of prison. Being a criminal means 12) (spend) most of your life in prison. When I get out of here, I'm going to try very hard 13) (stay) out of trouble.
Exercise 19. Underline the correct participle.
A: I didn't know you were 1) interesting / interested in gardening.
B: I'm not. I think it's really 2) boring / bored but my mum's hurt her back and she was 3) concerning / concerned that the garden would become a mess.
A: Oh, I understand now. I was really 4) surprising / surprised to see you with a spade in your hand! B: Don't laugh! This is really 5) tiring / tired, I feel 6) exhausted / exhausting already.
Exercise 20. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate participle.
Carla has been 1) (interest) in dancing since she was a little girl. When she put on her own "performances" at home for her relatives, they were all 2) (entertain) by the sight of the young girl twirling around in her home-made costumes. No one guessed, however, that by the age of eighteen she would be an 3) (entertain) spectacle for a much larger audience. Carla's family was 4) (thrill) to attend a Royal Performance and to witness their little girl's 5) (excite) debut. Carla herself was more 6) (excite) and 7) (frighten) than she'd ever been in her life. Her climb to fame had been extremely 8) (reward). And now, here she was, dancing for the Queen. How 9) (please) she felt! But the 10) (amaze) reviews she received the next day were even more 11) (thrill).
Exercise 21. Put the verbs in brackets in the -ing form or the to-infinitive.
I've been trying 1) (get) fit for years but it has been impossible 2) (find) a method that has not ended in disaster. Two years ago I started 3) (go) to karate classes. On the second day I broke my arm. When I had recovered from that, I took up 4) (swim). At first I really enjoyed 5) (race) my friend up and down the pool. But I regret 6) (say) that it wasn't long before I slipped over on the pool side and cracked my head on the tiles. I needed 7) (go) to hospital to make my head stop 8) (bleed). A few months later a friend advised me 9) (try) aerobics. That didn't last long either, because I hate 10) (listen) to loud disco music. Then last month I bought a bicycle. I had always loved 11) (cycle) ever since I was a child. I really regret 12)(buy) that bike, though. At this very moment, I am lying in hospital with two broken legs. I have decided 13) (give up) trying 14) (get) fit. From now on, I'm going to concentrate on 15) (stay) alive.