WEBTIVITY 4
INTERMEDIATE
INFINITIVE OR - ING?
There are some verbs in English that ask for the Gerund or the Infinitive after them or even both cases are correct.
a)
Verb + ING
If these verbs are followed by another verb, the structure is usually verb + -ing.
Stop
Mind
Delay
Enjoy
Miss
Involve
Dislike
Regret
Suggest
Consider
Admit
Finish
Deny
Imagine
Postpone
Risk
Practice
Avoid
Examples:
Stop smoking!
I don't mind working during the weekends.
When I'm on vacation, I enjoy going to bed late at night.
I avoid telling lies.
Have you ever considered living in another country?
I'll go to the supermarket when I've finished cleaning this room.
The following expressions also take ING.
Give up (=stop)
Go on (=continue)
Put off (= postpone)
continuously)
Keep(on) (= do something
Examples:
Are you going to give up drinking?
He keeps on doing the same thing everyday.
Note the Passive Form (being told ... )
I don't mind being told what to do!
b)
Verb + infinitive
If these verbs are followed by another verb, the structure is usually
Agree
Offer
Decide
Refuse
Promise
Mean
Attempt
Manage
Threaten
Intend
Fail
Hope
Appear
Plan
Afford
verb + infinitive:
Forget
Arrange
Need
Seem
Pretend
Tend
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Dare
Learn
WEBTIVITY 4
INTERMEDIATE
Examples:
We were tired, so we decided to take a taxi home.
I don't like Linda, she tends to talk too much.
When did you learn to cook? (or learn how to cook)
He seems to be a very nice boy.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.
Would like is followed by the infinitive.
Ex: Would you like to come to the party?
The Prepositions are followed by the ING.
Ex: Don't cross the street without looking!
I'm not interested in taking this course.
On arriving home I met him.
Note this example with the negative not to.
She pretended not to see me as she passed me on the street.
Verb + Infinitive or – ING
c)
After these verbs and expressions you can use – ing or the infinitive.
Like
Can't
Bear
Love
Begin
Hate
Start
Can't Stand
Examples:
I like getting up late.
or
I like to get up late.
The baby began crying.
or
The baby began to cry.
I can't satnd being alone.
or
I can't stand to be alone.
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Continue
WEBTIVITY 4
INTERMEDIATE
Exercises
1 – Complete these sentences with Gerund or Infinitive.
a)
Do you miss ___________________ (to play) tennis every afternoon?
b)
Oh, no! I meant ______________ (to buy) some eggs, but I forgot!
d)
Don’t you mind _______________ (to travel) such a long distance to work every day?
e)
I very much enjoy ______________ (to listen) to classical music.
f)
Sometimes I’d like _______________ (to learn) to play the guitar.
g)
He can’t bear ___________________ (to live) in the city.
h)
When I have to catch a plane, I’m always worried about ____________ (to miss) it.
So I like ______________ (to get) to the airport in plenty of time.
j)
I would love ________________ (to come) to your wedding, but it is just impossible.
k)
Why hasn’t Sue arrived yet? She promised not _______________ (to be) late.
m) Our neighbor threatened __________________ (to call) the police if we didn’t stop ____________ (to make ) noise.
n)
Why do you keep on ________________ (to look) at me like that?
o)
I considered ________________ (to take) the job, but in the end I decided against it.
p)
If you cross the street without __________________(to look), you’ll be run over by a car.
q)
Jack gave up ________________ (to try) to be an actor and decided to become a teacher.
2 - Write some sentences using these verbs below.
a) Enjoy - ______________________________________________________________
b) Promise - ____________________________________________________________
c) Need - ______________________________________________________________
d) Mind - ______________________________________________________________
e) Can't Bear - __________________________________________________________
3 - Match these two columns.
a) Stop
1) trying, you can do it!
b) I don't regret
2) to do the exercises?
c) Why do you refuse
3) shouting!
d) Would you like
4) washing up.
e) Did you forget
5) to go to the party?
f) Don't give up
6) telling him the truth.
g) My mom hates
7) to close the windows?
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(43) 3337-7788
WEBTIVITY 4
INTERMEDIATE
Answers to previous issue
1.
a) (i)it is not a question. it is a very formal way of saying hello.
(ii) this is a question, but the person asking it, doesn't really want to know the truth about
your aching back or hangover.
b) (i) Checking information.
(ii) informing something.
c) (i)asking permission.
(ii) Introducing someone.
d) (i) A person introducing her/himself.
(ii) Introducing a person to a third one.
e) (i) Saying goodbye.
(ii) Making a comment about the meeting.
f) (i) Informing that something needs to be done.
(ii) Saying that something must be happening soon.
2.
a) Are you / right / introduce
b) Of course /nice
How/ mine/ please / mu
College Language Center – Excelência em Idiomas
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(43) 3337-7788