Verb: Non-Finite Forms: Infinitive and Gerund

1. Choose the correct alternative:

1. We are all looking forward to (to see / see / seeing) you again soon (R.Courtney).

2. You're much too young (to go / go / going) in there (E.Walker, S. Elsworth).

3. (To walk / Walk / Walking) is good exercise (V. Evans).

4. I can't (to remember / remember / remembering) where I put it (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English).

5. My father always enjoyed (to play / play / playing) golf at weekends (Longman Language Activator).

6. He refused (to pay / pay / paying) the bill (V. Evans).

7. They wouldn't let me (to sit / sit / sitting) in the driving seat (E.Walker, S. Elsworth).

8. He was the last (to come / come / coming) (V. Evans).

9. I can't stand (to do / do / doing) the washing up (E.Walker, S. Els­worth).

10. He decided (to write / write / writing) to Annie (M. Fuchs, M. Bonner).

11. We allowed him (to go / go / going) to the party (M. Hewings).

12. I can't get used to (to get / get / getting) up before the dawn (E.Walker, S. Elsworth).

13. I'd like (to see / see / seeing) the manager (V. Evans).

14. It was silly of Tom (to leave / leave / leaving) (M. Fuchs, M. Bonner).

15. We're very keen on (to join / join / joining) the team (E.Walker, S. Elsworth).

16. I ran fast enough (to get / get / getting) into the final (M. Fuchs, M. Bonner).

17. It's no use (to complain / complain / complaining) (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English).

18. She was glad (to hear / hear / hearing) that it was low in calories (M. Fuchs, M. Bonner).

19. Help me (to lift / lift / lifting) this, will you? (Longman Language Activator).

20. It's well worth (to make / make / making) the effort to learn how to do it (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English).

21. He went (to buy / buy / buying) some bread (V. Evans).

22. (To tell / Tell / Telling) the truth, I don't really like her (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English).

23. He had difficulty (to find / find / finding) his way back (V. Evans).

24. It was a very odd thing (to say / say / saying) (E.Walker, S.Els­worth).

25. He's good at (to tell / tell / telling) jokes (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English).

26. He wants you (to leave / leave / leaving) (M. Fuchs, M. Bonner).

27. I suggest (to leave / leave / leaving) now (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English).

28. It's difficult for students (to work / work / working) full time (M. Fuchs, M. Bonner).

29. It's your last chance (to say / say / saying) sorry (E.Walker, S.Elsworth).

30. It's a high price (to pay / pay / paying) (M. Fuchs, M. Bonner).

31. Would you be so kind as (to help / help / helping) me (to move /move / moving) the sofa? (V. Evans).

32. I wasted 40 minutes (to wait / wait / waiting) for a bus this morning (Longman Language Activator).

2. Put the verbs in brackets into the infinitive or ing-form; retell the text:

My mother is an amazing woman. She is 87 years old and she still enjoys (go) out for a walk every day. She doesn't mind (do) all her house­work and she's glad (help) her elderly neighbours when they can't (go) to the shops. She's too old (dig) the garden any more — she stopped (do) that last year — but she's still healthy enough (mow) the grass! In the summer she still goes (swim) when it's warm and she lets her grandchil­dren (bury) her in the sand. She often says, 'It's no good (be) alive if you don't enjoy yourself.' I'd love (be) like my mother when I'm her age (V.Evans).

3. Underline the correct form in brackets:

1. Remember (to go / going) to the bank. You've got to pay the bills (V. Evans).

2. Do you remember (to see / seeing) that film last summer? (M. Foley, D.Hall).

3. We were getting tired, so we stopped (to have / having) lunch (E.Wal­ker, S. Elsworth).

4. I stopped (to eat / eating) sugar years ago (M. Foley, D. Hall).

5. I forgot (to buy / buying) any coffee (M. Vince, P. Emmerson).

6. I'll never forget (to see / seeing) snow for the first time (V. Evans).

7. I really regret (to leave / leaving) school so young, it's ruined my ca­reer prospects (M. Foley, D. Hall).

8. We regret (to announce / announcing) the death of our founder, Mr. Obuchi (P. Emmerson).

9. They went on (to play / playing) despite the bad weather (M. Foley, D. Hall).

10. First I'll say a little about the history of the company, then I'll go on (to describe / describing) our new range of products (P. Emmerson).

11. He means (to build / building) a boat and (to travel / travelling) round the world (V Evans).

12. Learning a language means (to be / being) interested in the culture as well (P. Emmerson).

13. I tried (to open / opening) the window, but it was too high to reach (P. Emmerson).

14. Try (to use / using) a screwdriver to get the lid off (M. Foley, D. Hall).

15. Jane was afraid (to show / showing) her school report to her parents (V.Evans).

16. I didn't tell her because I was afraid of (to upset / upsetting) her (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English).

17. This job wants (to do / doing) at once (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English).

18. Sharon wants (to talk / talking) to you (V. Evans).

19. He chose Spain, but personally I'd prefer (to go / going) to Greece (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English).

20. I prefer (to borrow / borrowing) books from the library to (to buy /buying) them (V Evans).

21. I'm sorry for (to barge / barging) in without ringing the bell (Longman Language Activator).

22. I'm sorry (to tell / telling) you your car has been stolen (V Evans).

4. Put the verbs in brackets into the infinitive or the ing-form; retell the text.

Last month, my friend John invited me (stay) with him in his house in the country. I decided (go) by car because I hate (travel) on public transport. As I was driving through the country, a sheep ran into the road and I had to swerve to avoid (hit) it. I was driving too fast (control) the car and I crashed into a tree. It was no good (try) to start the car again so I got out and tried (get) a lift from someone. Eventually a lorry stopped (pick) me up, but the driver was very boring and never stopped (talk) about his problems. Two hours later I arrived in the village near my friend's house, very happy (walk) the rest of the way. But I'm sorry (say) I got lost and didn't arrive at my friend's house until 3 o'clock in the morning. I really regret not (take) the train (V.Evans).

5. Find and correct the mistakes in the use of the gerund and infini­ tive:

What a great party! I usually avoid to go to parties because it's such a problem for me to remember people's names. I'm so glad I read that book about improve your memory. The author suggested to do exercises and they really helped. I stopped to worry about what people would think of me and I tried to pay attention to what people were saying. As a result, I had a great time! I'm even planning going dancing with this guy Leo next week.

I have an English test tomorrow so I should stop writing now and start studying. The book even had some good tips about studying for an exam. I hope I remember using some of them tonight! (M.Fuchs, M. Bonner).