GERUND OR TO-INFINITIVE

I. Some verbs are followed by ing and some are followed by to-infinitive:
VERBS USUALLY FOLLOWED BY ING:
ADMIT AVOID CANT FACE CANT HELP CANT RESIST CANT STAND
CARRY ON CONSIDER DELAY DENY DETEST DISLIKE ENJOY
EXCUSE FANCY FINISH GIVE UP IMAGINE INVOLVE JUSTIFY
KEEP ON MENTION MIND POSTPONE PRACTISE PUT OFF RESENT
RISK SAVE SUGGEST TOLERATE
VERBS USUALLY FOLLOWED BY TO-INFINITIVE:
AGREE AIM APPEAR ARRANGE ASK ATTEMPT BEG CANT AFFORD
CANT WAIT CHOOSE CLAIM DECIDE DEMAND DESIRE EXPECT
FAIL GUARANTEE HAPPEN HELP HOPE MANAGE OFFER PLAN
PREPARE PRETEND PROMISE PROVE REFUSE SEEM TEND
THREATEN TURN OUT UNDERTAKE WANT WISH
II. Some verbs can be followed by ing or to-infinitive without a change in meaning:
1. BEGIN, CONTINUE, INTEND, START + TO-INF OR ING FORM
However, we dont normally have two ing forms together:
e.g She began crying/to cry. The days are beginning to get shorter.
NOT: The days are beginnig getting shorter.
2. ADVISE, ALLOW, ENCOURAGE, PERMIT, RECOMMEND, REQUIRE when
followed by an object or in passive forms take a to-infinitive. They take the
ing form when they are not followed by an object.
e.g. The teacher doesnt allow us to eat in class.
We arent allowed to eat in class.
They dont allow eating in class.
3. NEED, REQUIRE, WANT are followed by to-inf, the ing form or the passive
infinitive.
e.g. You need to polish your shoes.
Your shoes need polishing.
Your shoes need to be polished.
III. Some verbs can be followed by ing or to-infinitive with a change in
meaning:
1. FORGET + TO-INF (= forget to do smth.)
Im sorry, I forgot to lock the car.
FORGET + -ING FORM (= forget a past event)
Well never forget visiting Paris.
2. REMEMBER + TO-INF (= remember to do smth.)
Remember to read the instructions.
REMEMBER + ING FORM (= recall a past event)
I dont remember meeting Al before.
3. MEAN +TO-INF (=intend to)
He means to move to Newcastle.
MEAN + -ING FORM (=involve)
Working harder means getting more money.
4. GO ON + TO-INF (= finish doing smth. and start doing smth. else)
After finishing her BA, she went on to get a masters degree.
GO ON + -ING FORM (= continue)
She went on watching TV.
5. REGRET + TO-INF (= be sorry to)
I regret to tell you that you have failed.
REGRET + -ING FORM (= have second thoughts about smth. already done)
I regret telling lies.
6. WOULD PREFER + TO-INF (= specific preference)
Id prefer to have an early night tonight.
PREFER + -ING FORM (= in general)
I prefer reading a book to watching TV.
PREFER + TO-INF + RATHER THAN + INF WITHOUT TO
I prefer to read a book (rather) than watch TV.
7. TRY + TO-INF ( = do ones best; attempt)
She tried hard to cope with her new job.
TRY + -ING FORM (= do smth. as an experiment)
Try adding some more sauce to your pasta.
8. WANT + TO-INF (=wish)
I want to find a better job.
WANT + - ING FORM (= smth. needs to be done)
Your dress wants cleaning.
9. STOP + TO-INF (= pause temporarily)
He stopped to buy some milk on his way home.
STOP + -ING FORM (= finish, cease)
Stop talking to each other please. Other verbs:BE SORRY,HATE,BE AFRAID
EXERCISES
I. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES USING AN INFINITIVE OR AN ING FORM!
1. We had to postpone ____________ tennis because of the bad weather.
2. If you will keep ________________ so much, youre bound to get fat.
3. He couldnt sleep, so I suggested him ______________ some warm milk.
4. Id really like _________________ my uncle in chicago.
5. Before the interview I was required _______________ an application form.
6. The dog seems ______________ hungry youd better feed him.
7. I much prefer _______________ letters to _____________ on the telephone.
8. I think you should give up ______________ because you have a very poor
voice.
II. PUT THE VERBS IN BRACKETS INTO THE INFINITIVE OR THE ING FORM!
Kim: Ill never forget _______ (go) to America for the first time. I was incredibly excited,
although I was trying ______ (act) cool.
Tom: I know. I remember ______ (be) quite envious because I wanted _____ (go) there, too.
Kim: Yes, I know. I was a bit over the top, wasnt I? Im sorry for _________ (behave) so
badly.
Tom: Yes, you were! You went on ________ (talk) about America constantly.It was quite
funny though when I think back. You hardly let me _____ (say) a word.
Kim: Im sorry, but you know that in my excitement I nearly left a lot of things behind like my
camera and my money.
Tom: I didnt know you have such a bad memory.
Kim: Im not usually so forgetful. I had a lot on my mind. Anyway, I dont remember
actually____________ (leave) anything behind in the end.
III. PUT THE VERBS IN BRACKETS INTO THE CORRECT PASSIVE INFINITIVE OR ING
FORM!
1. His music seems ___________________ (influence) by the rock culture of the
seventies.
2. Dont tease him any more. He doesnt enjoy ____________ (laugh at).
3. Ann claimed _____________ (invite) to Tom Cruises wedding while she was in
America.
4. Listen carefully because I dont want ____________ (misunderstand).
5. Actors consider _________________ (see) on TV as the first step to fame.
IV. WRITE EACH PAIR OF SENTENCES AS ONE. USE A TO-INFINITIVE OR AN ING
FORM!
1. Trevor didnt ring Laura. He forgot.
Trevor forgot to ring Laura.
2. Tom and Nick had been playing cards for hours. But they went on with the game.
3. Harriet didnt think she could move the piano.. She didnt even try.
4. Mike once saw a spaceship. Hell never forget it.
5. What about painting the walls? They need it.
6. Natasha was unkind to Jessica. But she didnt mean it.