GERUND or INFINITIVE?
The following verbs have two different meanings depending on the verb form that follows:
remember
forget
regret
try
stop
Verb + to Infinitive
Remember to check whether the cake is ready.
(=an action which will be necessary)
Don't forget to add the baking powder.
(=an action which will be necessary)
I regret to inform you that your application was
unsuccessful. (=I'm sorry to tell you...)
Try to ice the cake quickly.
(=attempt to do it quickly if you can)
She stopped to have a rest.
(= in order to have a rest)
They don't mean to upset you.
(= they don't intend to)
He went on to tell them how to make a different
cake.
(=the next thing he did was to tell....)
mean
go on
Verb + ing
I remember checking that I had my keys when I left
home. (=a memory of a past action)
I'll never forget going to school on my own for the
first time. (=a memory of a past action)
We regret sending our daughter to that school.
(=we wish we hadn't)
Try adding nuts as it will improve the flavour.
(=as an experiment)
Stop beating when the mixture is pale and fluffy.
(=finish doing it)
If you go by train that means taking a taxi to the
station. (=it involves)
They went on cycling until they reached the farm.
(=they continued)
A. Complete this conversation using the verbs in brackets.
Andy - I've decided ______________(leave)(1) my job next month.
Sally - But I thought you enjoyed ______________(work)(2) in an architect's office.
Andy -Oh, I do. But I feel like______________(do) (3) something different for a while.
Sally - Didn't you promise ______________( stay)(4) there at least two years?
Andy - Yes, I did but I just can't stand ______________( work)(5) with those people. One of them refuses
______________(stop) (6) talking while she works, another one keeps ______________( sing)(7)
to himself. And then there's a man who attempts ______________( tell)(8) awful jokes all the time
which he always gets wrong. I detest ______________( work)(9) with all that noise around me.
Sally - It sounds quite a cheerful place to me. Can't you manage______________( ignore)(10) them and get
on with your work?
Andy - No, I can't. I just can't carry on ______________( go) (11)there every day. I'm hoping
______________(go) (12) abroad for a bit.
Sally - Well, good luck.
B. Underline the correct form of the verb.
1. The tourist guide advised the tourists not take/ taking/ to take too much money out with them.
2. I heard the horses come / coming/ to come down the lane so I waited for them to pass before driving
on.
3. The old man said he would love have / having / to have the chance to fly in an aeroplane again.
4. I recommend phone/ phoning / to phone the hotel before you set off.
5. My father used to forbid us play/ playing / to play in those woods.
6. The college only allows smoke / smoking / to smoke in the common room.
7. It was my drama teacher who encouraged me become / becoming / to become an actor.
8. I advise you visit / visiting / to visit the market in Green Street.
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C. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
If I go to the wedding it will mean ____________(buy) a new dress.
Please try ____________(get) to the airport in good time - I'll be nervous waiting for you.
Will you stop ____________(make) that noise? I'm trying ____________(read)this book.
I forgot ____________(book) a table at the restaurant and it was full when we got there.
The two children went on____________(throw) their ball against the wall although they had been told
several times to stop.
We regret____________(inform) you that the course you applied for is now full.
Tommy says he didn't come to the party because he didn't know about it but I remember
____________(invite) him.
When you go out, remember ____________(leave) the key with your neighbour because I haven't got
one.
Why don't you try ____________(wear) glasses? Then you might not get so many headaches.
I saw Philip when I was in the park so I stopped____________(talk) to him.
I meant ____________(send) you a postcard but I didn't have time.
I regret not ____________(go) to Egypt with my sister because she says it was a really great trip.
I shall never forget ____________(watch)the sun come up the mountains when I was in the
Himalayas.
in Grammar for First Certificate - CUP
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KEY
A. Complete this conversation using the verbs in brackets.
1. to leave
2. working
3. doing
4. to stay
5. working
6. to stop
7. singing
8. to tell
9. working
10. to ignore
11. going
12. to go
B. Underline the correct form of the verb.
1. The tourist guide advised the tourists not take/ taking/ to take too much money out with them.
2. I heard the horses come / coming/ to come down the lane so I waited for them to pass before driving
on.
3. The old man said he would love have / having / to have the chance to fly in an aeroplane again.
4. I recommend phone/ phoning / to phone the hotel before you set off.
5. My father used to forbid us play/ playing / to play in those woods.
6. The college only allows smoke / smoking / to smoke in the common room.
7. It was my drama teacher who encouraged me become / becoming / to become an actor.
8. I advise you visit / visiting / to visit the market in Green Street.
C. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb.
1. buying
2. to get
3. making, to read
4. to book
5. throwing
6. to inform
7. inviting
8. to leave
9. wearing
10. to talk
11. to send
12. going
13. watching
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