Verbs followed by either the infinitive or an –ing form

TASK 56. Use the appropriate forms of the verbs in brackets. When is either the infinitive or –ing possible? When is one of the forms preferable? Why?

1. I STARTED (work).

2. I’m beginning (understand) why he acted as he did.

3. I BEGAN (realize) why he had lied.

4. I CAN’T BEAR (wait).

5. I couldn’t bear (tell) him.

6. The grass WANTS (cut).

7. Your shoes NEED (polish).

TASK 57. Change the structure of each sentence to introduce the object in brackets.

1. They don't ALLOW taking photos in the gallery (visitors).

2. She won't PERMIT keeping dogs in her house, (her lodgers)

3. They FORBID using calculators at examinations (students).

4. They PROHIBIT paddling and swimming in the pond (children).

5. The doctor may RECOMMEND cutting down on fatty foods (you).

6. The instructor ADVISED starting early (the scouts).

TASK 58. Make all the necessary changes to produce sentences from the following sets of words.

1. Henry - not allow - smoke - office.

2. She - not allow - little daughter - eat sweets.

3. I - recommend - you - see - play.

4. Doctor - recommended - try - pills - sea-sickness.

5. I - forbid - you - use - word.

6. They - prohibit - park - here.

7. Circumstances - not permit - we - help - you.

8. What - you - advise - I - do?

TASK 59. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form after VERBS OF PERCEPTION.

A.

1 A: Is Sue in the office today? B: Yes. I saw her (type) a report as I came in.

2 A: I walked past the lake yesterday. B: So did I. I stood for a moment to watch some children (feed) the ducks.

3 A: Marie is good at playing the piano, isn't she?

B: Yes. I heard her (perform) in a concert last week. She was wonderful.

4 A: Is Paul at home? B: No. I saw him (leave) for work as I passed by.

5 A: How do you know that Steve took the letter? B: I noticed him (put) it in his briefcase.

6 A: Did Malcolm wash up properly? B: Yes. I watched him (do) it to make sure.

7 A: Is that Joanne's fiancé? B: Yes. I noticed them (hold) hands as they went into the cinema.

8 A: Are there any children living next door? B: Yes. I often hear them (play) as I'm hanging out the washing.

9 A: Did Sarah miss the train? B: No, she didn't. I watched her (get on) the train before I left the station.

10 Не heard the phone (ring) but it stopped before he could answer it.

11 When I entered his room I saw him (do) his homework.

12 Then I saw him (enter) the house, (get) into his car and (drive away).

13 I saw Gary Lineker (score) the winning goal in the FA Cup Final.

14 I heard him (lock) the door.

B.

15 He was seen (enter) his office.

16 He was heard (say) that he was going to move house.

17 I heard them (shout) when I was walking past their house.

18 They were heard (shout).

19 I felt the car (skid).

20 She smelt something (burn) and saw smoke (rise).

21 We could see smoke (come) out of the building.

22 We could hear them (play) music loudly yesterday night.

23 The thieves were seen (drive) a stolen car.

24 From a bus you could see women (work) in the fields.

25 I listened to James (read) a story. It was an interesting one.

26 I heard the baby (cry) for most of the night.

27 I felt the snake (bite) me and saw it (slither off) into the bushes.

28 I noticed her quickly (slip) the necklace inside her coat and (leave) the shop.

TASK 60. Compare the sentences with LIKE, LOVE, HATE, PREFER. When is it more common to use to-infinitive after them? Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. a) What was in the letter? - I don't know, I didn't like to open it.

b) I don't like getting bills.

2. a) I'd love to come and see you there.

b) We both love dancing.

3. a) I hate to wake you up, but there's something urgent I've got to tell you.

b) I hate making you feel uncomfortable.

c) I used to hate going to lectures.

4. a) I’d prefer to have an early night tonight.

b) I prefer not to think about it.

c) I prefer to read a book (rather) than watch TV.

d) I prefer driving to being driven.

TASK 61. Expand the following sentences so as to clarify the difference in meaning between the members of each pair. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1a) …I REMEMBERED to fill up the form…

b) …I REMEMBER filling up the form…

2a) …I FORGOT to wake you this morning…

b) …I FORGET waking you…

3a) …I REGRET to tell you this story but…

b) …I REGRET telling you that story…

4a) …I TRIED to turn the key the other way…

b) …I TRIED turning the key the other way…

5a) …You DESERVE to shoot first…

b) …You DESERVE shooting…

6a) …That boy WANTS to watch it…

b) …That boy WANTS watching...

7a) …she WENT ON to get a Master’s degree…

b) …She WENT ON watching TV…

8a) … STOP to eat some ice-cream...

b) … STOP eating ice-cream!...

9a) …He MEANS to move to Newcastle…

b) …It MEANS getting more money…

10a) …I USED TO swim all the year round…

b) …I AM USED TO swimming all the year round…

11a) …They CAME to accept her as an equal…

b) …He CAME hurrying…

TASK 62. Put the verbs in brackets into the infinitive or -ing form.

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. What do you mean (do) with all that money?

10. Playing a musical instrument well means (practise) for years.

11. I regret (inform) you that your husband has been arrested.

12. She regrets (spend) so much money on her new dress.

13. Do you remember (ride) a bicycle for the first time?

14. Remember (post) the letters on your way home.

15. I'd prefer (pretend) I didn't hear what you just said.

16. I prefer (borrow) books from the library to (buy) them.

17. Don't forget (bring) some cash in case they don't accept credit cards.

18. Oh no! I totally forgot (turn off) the cooker.

19. I'll never forget (sail) through that storm in the Atlantic.

20. I’m used to (live) in a hot climate and wouldn’t like (move) anywhere colder.

21. He used to (live) in the US but now he lives in London.

22. In time you may come (like) it here.

23. …and he sent me a lovely present. Come (think) of that, I must write to thank him.

24. The little girl came (run) to her mother for sympathy.

TASK 63. Put the verbs in brackets into the infinitive or -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.”

TASK 64. USED TO ... vs BE/GET USED TO ...

Complete the sentences with a suitable form of used tо... or be/ get used to....and think of an appropriate verb to follow.

Example: I …..used to play ….. a lot of tennis but I haven’t practiced for years.

1. Valeria didn't really know what to do when she went to live on her own. She ……............................... waited on hand, foot and finger by her mum.

2. Did Gerry enjoy his time in the army? - Not really. He never could …………………............ orders!

3. Why did you give up your job just after the new boss took over? - I just ………........................ under so much pressure.

4. At first it was really hard but by now I …………..................... at five every morning.

5. As a child I …………………............ stamps.

6. I don’t feel stiff after our game of tennis. I …………........... a lot of exercise.

7. ……. you ………………….......... more often before you broke your leg?

8. Do you find driving in London different from driving in Rome? …….. you …………………............ on the left yet?

9. She didn’t like the sea in Scotland because she ………............ in cold water.

TASK 65. Label each of the following sentences as active (A) or passive (P) in meaning. Translate E → R.

1. Your windows need cleaning. Would you like me to do them for you?

2. I need to clean the windows, but I’ve no time to do that.

3. I want to make a phone call.

4. I know my hair wants cutting. Could you possibly make an appointment at the hairdresser's for me?

5. Here's a list of the jobs that need doing.

6. We didn't need to hurry.

7. This chapter needs rewriting.

8. The top rim needs to be cut off.

TASK 66. Match up the beginnings and endings of the following sentences and add a suitable verb either with -ing or in the infinitive. Look at the example.

The train had to stop suddenly E Max dreads …………… redundant I'd been calling our dog for ages Poor Alison absolutely dreads............. I remember .................. it in a safe place I meant ................... you a ring to tell you I'd be late Polly tried ................. happy and relaxed British Rail regrets ..................... passengers The doctor forgot .................. me how often After a few weeks working with Gwendoline Will you remember .............. the gas bill I dread ................ what would have happened Victor really regrets .................. university I'll never forget ................. mistaken

A I had to take the tablets. В or had I better do it myself? С but everyone could see she'd been crying. D but I just didn't have the time. E …to avoid… crashing into a cow standing on the tracks! F for a famous actor when I arrived at Madrid airport. G if the lifeguard hadn't seen you. H that all trains are subject to delay due to the snow. I I came ……………. what an extraordinary person she was. J before he came ……………..out of the wood with a rabbit in his mouth. К but I've no idea where! L before completing his degree. N and has to take half a bottle of tranquillisers before she sets foot on a plane. O as he is too old to get another decent job.

TASK 67. Translate the sentences into English.

1. Мне жаль, что я ничем не могу помочь.

2. Мы с сожалением сообщаем, что рейс ВА1465 задерживается.

3. Надо не забыть дать официанту на чай.

4. Никогда не забуду, как нашел эту старинную монету у себя в саду.

5. Не помню, чтобы я встречал его раньше.

6. Ты не забыл отдать ему ключ от сейфа?

7. Он снова и снова пытался ей это объяснить, но отказывалась его слушать.

8. Если дверные петли стали скрипеть, попробуйте смазать их.

9. Я не привык рано вставать.

10. Раньше она много ходила пешком.

11. Мы не хотели Вас перебивать.

12. Быть врачом значит работать допоздна.

13. Надо отмыть пол в кухне.

14. Тебе не обязательно печатать доклад.

15. Она очень боялась встречи с его родителями.

16. Боюсь даже думать, что будет, если она узнает об этом.

17. Дети кричали и визжали, но он продолжал разговаривать с Фрэнком.

18. Д-р Хэррис поприветствовал собравшихся и перешел к представлению членов комитета.

19. Все сразу прекратили разговаривать.

20. Мы остановились передохнуть.

SUMMING UP

TASK 68. Now that you have done all the exercises, complete the table below with all the verbs that appear in the exercises. Look up grammar reference books and add more verbs into each category. Indicate the reasons for choosing either the infinitive or the –ing form.

V + (to) infinitive or –ing without a change of meaning	V + (to) infinitive or –ing with a change of meaning