15. Infinitive and gerund constructions.

“ING”-Form

GERUND OR INFINITIVE?

The two groups of verbs below can be followed either by the gerund or by the infinitive. Usually this has no effect on the meaning, but with some verbs there is a clear difference in meaning. Verbs marked * can also be followed by a that-clause.

Example: to prefer

I prefer to live in an apartment. I prefer living in an apartment.

1. Verbs where there is little or no difference in meaning:

allow attempt begin bother cease continue

deserve fear* hate* intend* like love

neglect omit permit prefer* recommend* start

But after some other verbs we can use the – ing form or the to infinitive with a big difference of meaning:

Stop

e.g. I’m a vegetarian, I stopped eating meat 5 years ago. (= I ate meat up to 5 years ago, then I stopped)

After I’d been working for 3 hours, I stopped to eat lunch (= I stopped in order to eat lunch).

With the verb to remember the infinitive usually refers to the future, and the gerund to the past.

e.g. I remember seeing the book in many bookshops.

Remember to buy the book.

When the verb to try is used with the infinitive it means to attempt (to do), to make an effort (to do). With the gerund it means to do something as an experiment or test.

e.g. Please try to be quiet when you come home. Everyone will be asleep.

I've got a terrible headache. I tried taking an aspirin but it didn't help.

Is there any difference in the following pairs of sentences?

e.g. He'll never forget buying his first car.

Don't forget to buy some bread.

e.g. You have forgotten your homework again. That means phoning your mother.

I meant to phone your mother, but my mobile didn't work.

e.g. Do you regret having mentioned it?

We regret to inform you that your money hasn’t been received.

After modal verbs such as can, must, should and after let and make, we use the infinitive without to.

e.g. I can play the guitar.

He let her read the report.

Verb + ing form

Admit Avoid Consider Delay Deny Dislike

Enjoy Fancy Feel like (= want) Finish Give up (= stop) Can’t help (= can’t avoid)

Imagine Involve Keep on (= continue) Mind Miss Postpone

Practise Put off (= postpone) Risk Stand (= bear) Suggest

Negative: not + - ing form

16. Complete the sentences using the – ing form of the verbs given below.

do, have, play, be, read, go, not make, borrow, swim, rob

0. 1. I’ll lend you the book when I’ve finished ________ it.

1. 2. Do you ever go ________ in the sea?

2. 3. They suggested __________dinner in an Indian restaurant.

3. 4. Robert gave up ___________ football years ago.

4. 5. The men admitted ___________ the bank.

5. 6. I really don’t mind ___________ the housework

6. 7. I didn’t feel like _____________out last night, so I stayed at home.

7. 8. Would you mind ____________ so much noise? I’m trying to study.

8. 9. I normally try to avoid _______ money.

9. 10. Since she moved from London, she misses ________ able to see all her friends there.

17. Verb + to infinitive.

If these verbs are followed by another verb, the second verb is normally the to infinitive.

Afford Agree Appear Arrange Ask Attempt Decide Expect

Fail Help Hope Learn (how) Manage Mean (= intend) Offer Prepare

Pretend Promise Refuse Seem Threaten Want Wish

Make up your own sentences with given above verbs.