Professional Documents
Culture Documents
make an experience
to try doing sth
do sth to see what will happen
With remember, forget, stop, go on and regret the difference of meaning, which is the result
of the gerund/infinitive, is connected with time. The Gerund refers to things that happen
earlier (before the remembering, forgetting, etc take place), the infinitive refers to things
that happen after the remembering etc.
If you refer to a particular occasion, you have to use the infinitive after love, hate and
prefer. If you refer to habits, you should use the Gerund
Allow, advise, forbid and permit are followed by the Gerund if there is no personal object. If
we say who is allowed etc, the infinitive is used.
We use the Gerund after see, watch and hear if we suggest that we only observe part of a
complete action (i.e. if we start looking or listening it is already going on). However, the
infinitive is used if we want to suggest that we observe the whole action from the very
beginning to the end.
If we are talking about things which happen to us unexpectedly, without our wanting or
choosing them, you have to use the Gerund after afraid of.
After propose, attempt, intend, continue, can't bear and be accustomed to both structures
are possible with little difference of meaning, but the infinitive is probably more common
after propose, attempt and intend.
Sorry is used with an infinitive when we apologize for something that we are doing or about
to do. However, if we apologize for something that we have done, we use a perfect
infinitive, for + Gerund or a that - clause.
Begin and start can be followed by Gerund or infinitive structures usually with no real
difference of meaning.However, it is more common to use the gerund if we are talking
about the beginning of a long or habitual activity, but this form is not used after a
progressive form of begin or start. After begin and start the verbs understand and realize
are only used in the infinitive.
Put the verb in brackets in the correct form.
1. She insisted on (talk) to the manager.
2. Mary is going to (prepare) the dinner.
3. Who is (play) the main part?
4. You will have to (do) your homework soon.
5. I will have (write) the letters tonight.
6. She likes (play) Scrabble.
7. He enjoys (tell) jokes.
8. They appreciated (get) the consignment promptly.
9. She wrote a letter (ask) for a catalogue and price lists.
10. The letters were (write) and (post) last week.
11. They were proud of (be) (elect).
12. She was not (take) seriously.
13. If she had not (win), he would have (be) satisfied.
14. He couldn't be (prevent) from (apply) for that job.
15. We look forward to (do) business with you.
16. As (require) we enclose our current price list.
17. They used to (play) hide-and-seek when they (be) young.
18. She dreams of (become) the manager.
19. They suggested (go) to the opera.
20. He succeeded in (win) the Nobel prize.
21. They wanted to know how the problem could be (solve).
22. Please (note) that delivery must be (effect) by 10 November.
23. We (thank) you for your quotation of 10 June and (enclose) our Purchase Order
No 2668 for preserves and marmelades.
24. The order is (place) on the understanding that the goods arrive here before
31 March.
25. We would (ask) you to (pay) special attention to careful packing.
26. A prompt and careful execution of this order will (lead) to regular repeats.
27. We shall not (accept) the consignment if it (arrive) after 31 May.
28. Please (supply) as (specify) below:
29. The quality must (be) up to the sample we enclose.
30. One of our customers has (go) out of business.
to + infinitive or -ing?
1. I tried __________ (tell) her, but she wouldn't listen.
2. Why don't you try __________ (cook) it in the microwave? It'll
be much quicker.
3. He was rushing down the road when suddenly he stopped __________ (buy)
some flowers from a stall.
4. I've stopped __________ (drink) whisky. I only have gin and vodka now.
5. She just went on __________ (talk) even though he was clearly asleep.
6. After that boring story he went on __________ (explain) how he had got his arm
trapped in the door.
7. I enjoy __________ (travel).
8. I'm looking forward to __________ (see) you at Christmas.
9. I'm not used to __________ (drive) in London.
10. I'm interested in __________ (work) in the USA.
11. What would you like _________ (do) tomorrow?
12. I like _________ (walk) in the rain.
13. I don't speak English because I'm afraid of _________ (make) mistakes.
14. She began _________ (understand) what he really wanted.
15. She is always forgetting _________ (give) me my letters.
16. I shall never forget _________ (see) the Queen.
17. I prefer _________ (ride) to _________ (walk).
18. Sally wants _________ (go) abroad.
19. Dan is proud of __________ (be) good at German.
20. I don't regret _________ (tell) her what I thought, even if it upset her.
21. I regret _________ (inform) you that we are unable ___________ (offer) you
employment.
22. I'd love _________ (come) and _________ (see) you some time.
23. I like __________ (get) up early so that I can ________ (get) plenty of work
done
before lunch.
24. I heard you _________ (talk) and I didn't want __________ (disturb) you, so I
went away.
Put the verb in brackets in the correct form: gerund, infinitive or past participle?
6. George will _________ (travel) visit his friends in the U.S.A. next year.
7. They considered _________ (move) to London, but finally they decided against
it.
9. She would not have _________ (do) it if she had _________ (know) the
consequences.
11. Have you ever _________ (think) of _________ (apply) at our company?
12. We ask you to __________ (quote) prices, delivery dates and terms of payment.
14. I would _________ (be) interested in _________ (receive) catalogues and price-
lists.
15. If your quotation meets our expectations, we can probably ________ (place)
19. You may ________ (rely) on a prompt and careful execution of your order.
22. We take the liberty of ________ (send) a copy of our latest catalogue.
23. Prices and terms are ________ (give) in the attached list.
24. As _______ (indicate) the quality must ________ (be) up to the samples we sent
you.
25. We enclose the our official order for the items on the understanding that you can
26. These products are not ________ (suit) for our market.
28. We hope you will _________ (give) your prompt attention to this order.
29. Please do not _________ (exceed) the time allowed for delivery.
32. We shall ________ (lose) no time in ________ (send) the articles _________
(require) by you.
Translate the following sentences by using the GERUND.
5. Es hat keinen Sinn, ihr die Wahrheit zu sagen; sie wrde dir nicht glauben.
14. Er hinderte die Gegner daran, ein Tor zu erzielen. (to score a goal)
24. Sie hrten vor drei Jahren mit dem Rauchen auf.