Revision of gerund and infinitive

TASK 24. Complete each sentence with two to five words, including the word in bold so that the second sentence had a similar meaning to the first sentence. Follow the example.

Example. I think it's difficult to raise children nowadays.

raising I think raising children is difficult nowadays.

1. It's too dark to see anything in here.

bright It isn't __________________anything in here.

2. She made him accept full responsibility for the accident.

was He ____________________ full responsibility for the accident.

3. Could you post this letter for me, please?

mind Would you ____________________ this letter for me, please?

4. She was amused by the story and burst out laughing.

found She ____________________ and burst out laughing.

5. He had difficulty finding her house.

difficult ____________________ to find her house.

6. They let me watch the rehearsal.

allowed ____________________ the rehearsal.

7. The party was so boring that we didn't enjoy ourselves.

too The party ____________________ ourselves.

8. Someone saw Ben throw an envelope in the rubbish bin.

was Ben ____________________ an envelope in the rubbish bin.

9. Using the office photocopier is not allowed.

allow They ____________________ the office photocopier.

10. Could you give me a lift to the office, please?

mind Would ____________________ a lift to the office, please?

11. I think it's interesting to learn about other cultures.

learning I think __________________________ interesting.

12. They let Edward go out with his friends last night.

allowed Edward __________________________ with his friends last night.

13. They heard Fiona quarrelling with her brother last night.

was Fiona __________________________ with her brother last night.

14. Henry was made to help us with the cleaning.

made We ____________________ with the cleaning.

TASK 25. Spot and correct mistakes. There is one correct sentence. Which?

1. You would better see your doctor.

2. They made me to reveal the plans.

3. He stopped eating fried food as it gave him indigestion.

4. Did you remember buying some bread? I asked you to do it in the morning.

5. Would you mind to give me a lift?

6. I had rather stay in bed today. I don’t feel well.

7. Mum has stopped to drink fizzy drinks. She is on a diet.

8. This bag is too expensive for me to buy it.

9. To smoke it is dangerous for your health.

10. Would you mind me to open the window?

11. I'd love eating a pizza tonight.

12. I stopped at the bakery buying some bread.

13. They made me to pay for the broken window.

14. I heard the Taylors to argue.

15. I'd better to ask someone for help.

16. I forgot calling you last night. I'm sorry.

TASK 26. Choose the correct grammar form.

1. I never imagined the mountains to be/being so high!

2. Don't forget to wake me/waking me before you leave.

3. What do you mean to do/doing about the leaky pipes?

4. I regret to tell you/telling you that we cannot accept your offer.

5. Did you manage to find/finding the book you were looking for?

6. I tried taking/to take that medicine you gave me but I couldn't swallow it.

7. We have postponed to tell/telling anyone the news until after Christmas.

8. Have you considered to buy/buying a microwave oven?

9. Sorry I'm late, I had to stop to pick up/picking up the children from school.

10. Margaret was slow at school, but she went on to be/being Prime Minister.

11. I want you to try/ trying much harder.

12. I’m looking forward to see/ to seeing you again.

13. Please let me go/ going/ to go by myself.

14. Do you really expect me to believe/ believing you?

15. It’s much too late for going/ to go/ going out now.

16. It’s no use telling/ to tell me your troubles.

17. Do you enjoy to make/ making people laugh?

18. Do you mind me to close/ my closing the window?

19. I hope you didn’t forget to post/ posting my letter.

TASK 27. Rewrite each sentence, beginning as shown, so that the meaning stays the same. Try to use gerunds or infinitives.

Example. I was made to study hard when I was at school. - They made me study hard when I was at school.

1. If I take the job I'll have to move to Paris. - Taking the job …

2. It's very kind of you to give me a lift. - I appreciate …

3. It might be a good idea to use honey instead of sugar. - Why don't you try …

4. I'm quite happy to look after the baby for you. - I don't mind…

5. I must see the manager! - I demand …

6. Go on Jack, apply for the job,' said Sally. - Sally encouraged…

7. You wouldn't know where the Hilton Hotel is, would you? - Do you happen …

8. Parking is not permitted here. - You are …

9. 'Shall I carry that bag for you, John?' said Pauline. - Pauline offered …

10. Is that the manager? I have a complaint about my room. - Is that the manager? I wish …

11. You’ll waste time if you copy your work out again. - Don't …

12. I bet you wouldn't ask David to come with you to the party! - I dare …

13. Brenda really hates staying in expensive hotels. - Brenda can't …

14. 'Please don't leave me on my own,' Martin begged us. - Martin begged …

15. If you work for this company, you have to travel a lot. - Working for this company involves ...

16. Joe doesn't like it when people treat him like a child. - Joe resents …

17. You should go to the dentist's at once. - Don't put off …

18. It was resolved that the matter would be brought up at the next meeting. - They resolved …

19. The police were told that the use of unnecessary force was forbidden. - The police were instructed ...

TASK 28. Use the verbs in brackets in the correct gerund or infinitive form.

It all began about three years ago. A friend suggested __________ (to enter) a photo competition – for fun. At the time, I wasn’t interested in ________ (to become) a photographic model – I wanted _________ (to train) as a hairdresser. Well, I won the competition and did a course in _________ (to model). It was great fun, we learnt a lot more than just __________ (to walk) up and down and _________ (to put) on make up. Then I got my first job, as a model in a small London fashion house. After that, I did some television commercials. By this time I found that my job had changed my life. I had to give up ________ (to smoke) and __________ (to eat) my favourite foods. I couldn’t risk _________ (to catch) a cold. I had to stop _________ (to go) to bed late, this was difficult, because I was fond of __________ (to go) to parties and I wasn’t used _________ (to get) up early. I sometimes hated _________ (to stand) in front of cameras for hours. But now I’m used to it. I enjoy _________ (to travel) and __________ (to meet) interesting people, and I must __________ (to admit) I like _________ (to wear) expensive clothes.

TASK 29. Explain the differences in meaning in the following pairs of sentences.

1. to regret

   1. I regret to say that we have decided not to offer you the job.

   2. I regret saying that I don’t like your new boyfriend.

2. to try

   1. I’ve tried to open the bonnet, but it seems to be stuck.

   2. Have you tried cleaning the spark plugs?

3. to remember

   1. He remembered seeing Jane on the way back from work.

   2. She remembered to send her mother a birthday card.

4. to go on

   1. The professor mentioned Boticelli, and went on to talk about the Reneissance.

   2. He went on talking about himself for hours and hours.

5. to forget

   1. I’ll never forget seeing the Taj Mahal for the first time.

   2. She was angry with him for forgetting to lock the back door.

6. to stop

   1. I think we ought to stop to have something to eat soon.

   2. They stopped going out in the evening when they had their first child.

7. to dread

   1. I dread to think what he is going to say when he sees what you’ve done to the car.

   2. She dreaded having to see her ex-husband again in court.

8. to need

   1. Your business is a complete shambles – the whole thing needs reorganizing.

   2. I need to have a word in you ear. It’s about your trip to Italy next week.

9. to mean

   1. I meant to write him a letter of condolence, but I never got round to it.

   2. If you do join the Navy, it’ll mean being away from home for months on end.

10. to help

    1. Everyone helped to make the village look its best for the Prime Minister’s visit.

    2. I can’t help feeling that you are making a terrible mistake.

TASK 30. Read the sentences and choose the right answer.

1. John has stopped to talk to Mary. Is he talking to her at the moment?

YES NO NOT CLEAR

2. John has stopped talking to her at the moment? Is he talking to her at the moment? YES NO NOT CLEAR

3. Do you remember putting this cake in the washing machine? Is there a cake in the washing machine? YES NO NOT CLEAR

4. Did you remember to put the cake in the washing machine? Is there a cake in the washing machine? YES NO NOT CLEAR

5. “I’ve got hiccups”. - “Try holding your breath”. Does “try” mean “see if you can do it” here? YES NO NOT CLEAR

6. How long can you hold your breath? Try to hold it for two minutes. Does “try” mean “see if you can do it” here? YES NO NOT CLEAR

TASK 31. Complete the sentences by putting the verbs into either the infinitive or the gerund form. Add a preposition if necessary.

1. I’ve always regretted _________ (not to learn) to play the piano at school.

2. He became an MP in 1983 and went on __________(to become) Prime Minister three years later.

3. I dread _________ (to think) what he’s going to say when he finds out I’ve crashed the car.

4. It’s a very beautiful cottage, but it needs __________ (to modernize).

5. The house is a wreck; if you buy it, it’ll mean __________(to live) in chaos for months.

6. I’m sure a good holiday will help __________(to make) you feel more relaxed.

7. I didn’t mean _________ (to cause) you so much trouble.

8. This new job of mine means _________ (to put up) with inconvenient hours of work at first.

9. Did you remember _________ (to thank) your aunt for the present?

10. She has always regretted ________ (not to travel) round the world when she was younger. Now I regret __________ (to tell) you that she is too ill to travel.

11. I’m sorry, I forgot __________ (to post) the letter. – What a shame, I remember __________ (to ask) you to do it.

12. I'm really serious __________ (to buy) this house. The question is if I can afford __________ (to buy) it.

13. I'm ashamed I forgot _______ (to tell) that he's not capable ________ (to take) responsibility.

14. They are very anxious _______ (to please), but I am afraid I don’t feel qualified _______ (to say) that their proposals are not worth _______ (to consider).

15. My boss omitted _______ (to tell) me that even though I finished _______ (to type) all his post, I still wouldn’t be allowed _______ (to leave) before 5 o’clock.

16. My father needs _______ (to take) our car to the garage because its brakes need _______ (to adjust).

17. Jack wouldn’t even consider _______ (to allow) us _______ (to pay) for ourselves.

18. I really resented his _______ (to say) that to me and I can’t forgive him _______ (to treat) me like that.

19. I have succeeded _______ (to get) in touch with Mr. Philips and asked him _______ (to contact) you.

20. You’d better _______ (to tell) the headmaster the truth before he forbids all of us _______ (to go) to the camp.

TASK 32. Rewrite each sentence so that it included the word in capitals without changing the meaning. Follow the example.

Example: I'm sorry I didn't go to university. REGRET

I regret not going/not having gone to university.

1. Winning the football pools meant we could buy a new car. ENABLED

2. There is a risk that he will miss the plane if he waits. RISKS

3. I believed you were the murderer because of this clue. LED

4. Does using the hotel swimming pool cost extra? PAYING

5. I think that this is the right street. APPEARS

6. Jean succeeded in finishing all her work on time. MANAGED

7. They said they would like me to stay with them in Florida. INVITED

8. Calling Jim is pointless, because his phone is out of order. USE

9. It is compulsory for all students to leave cash deposit. REQUIRED

TASK 33. Use the right form of the infinitive or the gerund of the verbs in brackets. Add prepositions if necessary.

1. I no longer feel in the least like __________ (to bungee jump). It’s not my cup of tea.

2. Sheila wanted to _________the truth and nothing could stop her ________ (to know) it.

3. You’ll have to wait for ages for another driving test if you fail _________(to pass) it this time.

4. The people in the flat below have refused _________ (to join) the Residents’ Association.

5. Katy doesn’t really enjoy ________ (to sing) in public.

6. Jill thinks we should phone our boss now, but John suggests ________ (to phone) later.

7. I don’t want to join the Townsends on holiday, I can’t afford _________ (to spend) my money the way they do.

8. Imagine his _________ (to tell) the chef how to cook an omelette!

9. I’d like to watch you __________ (to cook). It’s such a rare sight!

10. I couldn't resist _________ (to go) to see that new exhibition at the National Gallery.

11. Please forgive my _________ (to mention) it, but I think you're sitting on my hat.

12. I refuse _________ (to accept) the idea of selling that painting, it's been in my family for generations.

13. I've heard that Tom intends _________ (to invest) in 1980s furniture which is becoming very collectable.

14. I was completely taken aback _________ (to learn) that my old vase was quite valuable.

15. Do you think it's worth _________ (to travel) all the way to Paris to see the Cezanne exhibition?

16. What the designer omitted _________ (to mention) was the price she wants for the commission.

17. I have arranged for you _________ (to borrow) that art book rather than have the expense of buying it.

18. Would you mind _________ (to tidy) up your room a bit before you go out, please?

19. I can't face _________ (to listen) to another hour of this concert, I'm going home!

20. I can't be bothered _________ (to catch) the bus, let's take a taxi.

21. Should you happen _________ (to see) Phil, could you tell him I'm looking for him?

22. I'm inclined _________ (to agree) with my father, who has no time for Picasso.

23. I resent your _________ (to suggest) that my work is not original.

24. Does Molly envisage _________ (to visit) the Prado while she's in Madrid?

25. Like many artists, Joshua cannot tolerate _________ (to criticize).

26. Is Gail counting on _________ (to get) a grant when she goes to art school?

27. Jason often pretends _________ (to be) unemployed, but actually he's a graphic designer.

28. Don't attempt _________ (to take) that picture out of its frame, you might damage it.

29. Alison generally appreciates _________ (to be) told when her work is not up to standard.

TASK 34. Choose the correct form of the verbs.

It is sometimes said that there is nothing new in the world of fashion. Annabelle was a well-known model during the seventies. When her children were in their early teens they were enjoying/used to enjoy looking at her old photo albums. They were finding/found it hard to believe that she was wearing/used to wear such strange clothes. Did people really use to think/Were people really thinking flared trousers looked good? And those ugly platform shoes! She was admitting/admitted that people were often falling/often used to fall over because the heels were so high. In the early nineties, however, Annabelle noticed to her amusement that seventies styles were/used to be in fashion again. ‘I planned/was planning to throw all my old clothes away’, she said, ‘but my daughter went to a party last week, and guess what she used to wear/was wearing - that’s right, some of my old clothes!’

TASK 35. Mira has written a composition about her childhood. She knows that she often makes mistakes with verb constructions using the infinitive or gerund and she asked you to check her work before she hands it in.

When I was a child I always wanted riding a horse although my parents would not allow me to have riding lessons because they said they could not afford letting me have them. Also my mother said it was dangerous and she did not want me to risk to break my neck. One day, my best friend got some money for her birthday and she offered paying for a lesson for us both. I thanked her for being so kind and we arranged having a lesson the following Saturday. I did not consider to tell my parents our plans because I thought they would prevent me to have the lesson. I enjoyed to ride very much until the horse I was on felt like to gallop. Off it went across the field and I did not know how to stop it. Suddenly it decided stopping and I fell off. I had broken my arm. Of course, I could not deny to have been riding to my parents and my father accused me to be deceitful. It was not a happy day for me and somehow I have never felt like going on a horse again.

TASK 36. Fill in the gaps with either gerund or infinitive.

1. She walked out of the office without ___________ (to say) goodbye.

2. They made her ___________ (to type) the letter again.

3. She has gone to the post office ___________ (to buy) some stamps.

4. You're too young ___________ (to stay) at home by yourself.

5. He opened the door only ___________ (to see) that the room was empty.

6. What a stupid thing to do! Can you imagine anybody _________ (to be) so stupid?

7. Sarah gave up _________ (to try) to find a job in this country and decided to go abroad.

8. It was so ridiculous that I couldn’t resist __________ (to laugh) outright.

9. The secretary asked if I would mind ____________ (to wait) for a few minutes.

10. The way to learn a foreign language is to practise _____________ (to speak) it as often as possible.

11. Everyone said how much they had enjoyed ___________ (to listen) to the speech.

12. When you’ve finished this book you can tell me if it’s worth ____________(to read).

13. He was very lucky to escape ____________ (to send) to prison.

14. She was so upset that she couldn’t help ____________ (to cry).

15. The teacher said he would not tolerate my ____________ (to be) late every day.

16. The question is so trivial it hardly justifies our ____________ (to waste) any more time discussing it.

TASK 37. Read the letter below and put the verbs into the correct form.

Dear Ruth,

Thank you very much for the lovely present you sent for Laurie. It was very kind of you. You say in your note that you haven’t got used _________ (to be) an aunt yet. I used _________ (to think) that becoming a father wouldn’t change me. I was wrong, of course! Life will never be the same again. We used ________ (to go) to bed at midnight or later. Now we’re asleep by ten because we’ve had to get used ________ (to wake) up at five o’clock.

Actually, that’s quite good in a way. I always used _________ (to arrive) late at the office, but since Laurie was born my secretary has got used _________ (to find) me hard at work by the time she gets in!

Mind you, it hasn’t been so easy for Jenny. I think she found it very hard at first, being with the baby instead of going to work. She wasn’t used _________ (to spend) all day without adult company. But she’s got quite friendly with a neighbor who also has a young baby and I think that makes it easier. She used _________ (to say) she’d go back to work when Laurie was six months old, but now that she’s used _________ (to be) at home she’s beginning to enjoy herself, so she may wait until Laurie is a bit older.

Anyway, when do you think you’ll be able to come and see us? Jenny says hurry up while Laurie is still small. We’d love a visitor to show her off to!

All the best,

Dennis.

TASK 38. Put a suitable verb into each space. Follow the example.

Example: It's too late to ____stop_______ to buy any food. All the shops are closed. We’ll have to go to bed hungry.

1. I hardly __________ ask how much it cost!

2. Have you ever __________ taking a year off work?

3. I didn't like the town at first, but I __________ to loving it eventually.

4. What do you __________ doing after this course has finished?

5. As soon as Shells finished telling the joke, everyone burst out __________.

6. Jim and I __________ to meet at 6.00 but he didn't turn up.

7. It so happened that that we won't __________ to pay so much after all.

8. I can't wait for Saturday.' I'm really __________ to seeing you!

9. I can't __________ getting up at 6.30 tomorrow morning! I'll catch a later train.

10. The government __________ to reduce inflation by strict control of the economy.

11. I couldn't actually __________ living in a place like that!

12. The arrested man __________ having been anywhere near the bank.

13. Carol __________ the customs officer to ignore the gold bars in her bag.

14. Did you __________ anyone waiting for me when you passed my office?

15. We __________ to split the cost of all the bills.

16. I was __________to get to the station when I fell and injured my knee.

17. We strongly __________ all clients to take out their own travel insurance.

18. I don't __________ turning off the gas, now you mention it.

19. Margaret doesn't really __________ to ask staff to work overtime on Friday.

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