GERUNDS & INFINITIVES
Adjective / Verb + Preposition + Gerund
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
be interested in
be capable of
be accustomed to
complain about
insist on
apologise to someone for doing sth.
be responsible for
argue about
be used to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
be excited about
have an excuse of
prevent someone from
thank someone for
take advantage of
blame someone for doing something
object to
look forward to
Common Verbs Followed by Gerunds
advise
consider
discuss
can't help
miss
risk
avoid
delay
enjoy
keep
postpone
suggest
complete
deny
finish
mind
recollect
understand
go
go
go
go
go
go
go
go
Go + Gerund
go
go
go
go
boating
dancing
shopping
fishing
bowling
hunting
skating
sunbathing
camping
jogging
swimming
walking
Adjectives followed by to-infinitive
glad
delighted
lucky
sad
proud
prepared
willing
hesitant
amazed
happy
content
fortunate
upset
ashamed
anxious
determined
afraid
astonished
pleased
relieved
sorry
disappointed
ready
eager
careful
surprised
shocked
Common Verbs Followed by to-infinitive
afford
decide
agree
demand
promise
want
offer
plan
appear
deserve
ask
expect
refuse
wait
prepare
pretend
beg
fail
care
hesitate
seem
hope
need
Common Verbs Followed by a Pronoun / Noun + to-infinitive
advise
allow
ask
order
permit
persuade
force
invite
need
want
warn
expect
teach
tell
urge
cause
encourage
remind
somebody to do something beg
Common Verbs Followed by Either to-infinitive or Gerund
A )
No difference in meaning
begin
start
continue
prefer
e.g. It began to rain. / It began raining.
e.g: I started to work. / I started working.
e.g. I continued to watch the film. / I continued watching the film.
e.g. I prefer staying home to going to the concert.
I prefer to stay home than go to the concert.
B )
With a difference in meaning.
To-infinitive
Remember:
Forget:
Regret:
Stop:
Try :
Jack always remembers to lock the door.
(It means "remember to do a task)
Sam often forgets to. lock the door.
(It means to forget to do a task)
I regret to tell you that you failed the test.
( It means you inform someone of some bad news.)
I stopped to fill the car.
(It means the reason why you stopped is to fill the car.)
I am trying to learn English.
( It means you are making an effort to learn . English. )
Gerund
Remember :
Forget :
Regret:
Stop :
Try:
I remember seeing the Alps for the first time. The sight was
impressive.
( It means that you remember something that happened in the past. )
I'll never forget seeing the Alps for the first time.
( It means that you never forget something that happened in the
past.
I regret lending him some money. He never paid it back.
( It means you feel sorry for something that happened in the past. )
I stopped smoking because it made me uncomfortable.
( It means you don't do the action any more. )
I tried talking to him, but it didn't work.
(It means I experimented something new to see if it works. )
EXERCISES ON GERUNDS & INFINITIVES (adapted for FOG4)
A.
Complete The Sentences Putting The Verbs In Brackets Into
The Correct Form.
1.
The children are looking forward to seeing (see) their grandfather.
2.
Unless this company risks losing (lose) money, it cannot take any step
forward.
3.
Can you imagine living (live) with someone who never stops talking (talk)?
4.
My boss agreed to give (give) me a day off.
5.
She stopped smoking (smoke) on her doctor's advice.
6.
She suggested arranging (arrange) another party next week.
7.
You concentrate on improving (improve) your pronunciation, don't you?
8.
Forgive my interrupting (interrupt) you.
9.
Everyone knows how much she enjoys dancing (dance).
10.
1 think this car isn't worth buying (buy).
11.
You should stop worrying (worry) about the exam.
12.
After doing (do) my homework, I will make a phone call.
13.
The thieves denied stealing (steal) the money.
14.
AII day long, the little boy avoided disturbing (disturb) me.
15.
You must be tired of watching (watch) the same film.
16.
1n the end, we managed to persuade (persuade) him coming (come) with us.
17.
1 didn't expect to see (see) you at the party.
18.
Don't waste time talking (talk) to her.
19.
1 can't afford to buy (buy) that car.
20.
It is not so easy to tell (tell) the truth all the time.
21.
Making(make) friends with unfriendly people is almost impossible.
22.
Paul is very happy to meet (meet) his school friends after so many years.
23.
Before leaving (leave) the office, John called his wife ____(tell) her
about
the meeting.
24.
He is ill. He is complaining about having (have) a terrible headache.
25.
Marcus went out instead of doing (do) his homework.
26.
It's no use talking (talk) to Bill; he won't change his mind.
27.
Can you imagine spending (spend) your holidays on the moon?
28.
He risks losing (lose) his wallet when he leaves it on his desk.
29.
1 don't allow people to smoke (smoke) in my room.
30.
He admitted robbing (rob) the bank.
31.
Ann agreed to look (look) after my dog for the weekend.
B.
Put The Verbs In Brackets Into The Correct Infinitive Or “Ing”
Form.
I.
Dear Jessica, How are you? I'm busy with studying (study) for my exam which is
next week, but I've decided to take (take) a break and write (write) you a
letter. Reading (read) so many notes and learning (learn) so many facts is
making me very tired. I am looking forward to finishing (finish) my course!
Then, I can start looking/ to look (look) for a good job.
Sophie started her 'new job last month. Working (work) at the hospital suits
her- she loves looking (look) after people. She hopes to stay (stay) in this job
for a couple of years and then she intends to try (try) for a promotion.
By the way, how are you getting on now that you are a manager? I forgot to
congratulate (congratulate) you when I saw you. .
Anyway, I've got to go now. Write soon and tell me all your news, won't you?
Best wishes, Maggie
II.
Countries all over the world have superstitions which some people believe and
others don't.
Several superstitions are the same in many countries. Many people avoid walking
(walk) under ladders, as this is believed to bring bad luck. Some people expect
things to go (go) wrong on the thirteenth day of the month, particularly if it
is a Friday. Some say you must never put up (put up)an umbrella inside the house
or place (place) a pair of new shoes on the table. In many places, it is
considered unlucky to see (see) a black cat, while in others this is thought to
be (be) a symbol of good luck. Breaking (break) a mirror results in seven years
of bad luck and if you spill salt, you must throw (throw) a pinch of it over
your left shoulder immediately.
These are just a few superstitions which some people believe in. Do you know any
more?
III.
Ordering (Order) your own meal in a restaurant may soon be a thing of the past.
In Brussels, at an Italian restaurant, the waiter, Tony, claims to be able to
choose (choose) the right dish for each customer. After working (work) for many
years in Italian restaurants, Tony noticed that different people prefer certain
types of food.
"Women appear to like (like) milder foods and rich creamy sauces while men seem
to enjoy (enjoy) spicier foods cooked in olive oil and served with juices from
the meat," he reports. Tony makes his choices by chatting (chat) to his
customers- but not about their tastes in food. What he does first is to find out
(find out) what kind of personality the customer has. After serving (serve) an
Englishman a salad of red tuna with garlic and parsley, Tony was happy to see
see) that his customer was very satisfied. One Italian particularly enjoyed
munching (munch) on mild mushrooms which Tony had served with black olives,
spicy olive oil and lime. Tony spends a lot of time to observe (observe) his
customers. Tony seems to know (know) exactly what people will like. This
restaurant is certainly worth visiting (visit).
IV.
Steam trains were replaced by electric ones many years ago, so when the
newspaper I work for heard that the "Black Admiral" steam engine had been
restored, they decided to send (send) me on its first trip. I didn't object to
go (go) even though generally dislike travelling (travel) by train. In fact I
was looking forward to seeing (see) something I had never seen before. When I
arrived at the station, I saw lots of people celebrating (celebrate) the rebirth
of the Admiral, and I was glad to be (be) part of the party. At 2 o'clock
everyone was ready to board (board) the train. I settled myself into a
compartment where I was 'soon joined by an old man who claimed to be one of the
original workers on the Admiral. He told me how much he had hated being covered
in coal dust all the time. His family had been too poor to buy (buy) more than
the basic necessities. It was a bad story, but it was a pleasure to listen
(listen) to him. At every station, people were waiting ______ (greet) the train,
and it was exciting to see (see) the spectators' faces as the past seemed to
come (come) alive again. If all trains were as appealing as the Black Admiral, I
would choose to travel (travel) by train all the time.
V.
For Thomas, agreeing (agree) to go on a walking holiday was very surprising. He
usually hated doing (do) outdoor activities of any kind. We thought we would
have difficulty in persuading (persuade) him, but it was his idea to set off
(set off) the very next day. We suggested going (go) to the Lake District as it
would be the best place to find (find) hotel rooms each night. Though we would
have preferred to take the coach, Thomas encouraged us to travel by train. We
decided to meet (meet) at the station early the next morning as we wanted to be
(be) in Carlisle by midday. Imagine the look on our faces when Thomas arrived on
a huge, brand-new motorbike. "Do you think I'll be allowed to take it on the
train ?" he said.
C.
Remember / Forget / Stop / Try / Regret
REMEMBER
1 - Please remember to call (call) us if you can't finish work early today.
2- I will always remember dancing (dance) with the most handsome boy at the
party. It was my first dance and I was really excited.
3- While Jack was going to work by car, he crashed into another car and got
injured.
When he opened his eyes in hospital, he said he could remember turning (turn)
into King Avenue, but he couldn't remember crashing (crash).
4- Do you remember falling (fall down) while walking in the mountains?
You looked so funny upside down!
5 - A: I'm sorry Jane. I went to the supermarket, but I didn't remember to buy
(buy) the detergent you wanted me to buy.
B: Never mind. I don't need it urgently.
6 - Mr. Wilson is very old. He can remember waiting (wait) in the queues for
hours to get a loaf of bread during the First World War.
7 - I'm so forgetful. I never remember buying buy) you a present for your
birthday. Will you forgive me?
8 - Teacher: Can I see your homework Bill?
Bill: I'm sorry madam. I didn't remember to do (do) it.
9 - Jane: Jill, I don't remember inviting (invite) you to my party. What are you
doing here?
Jill: I know you didn't invite me and I know you are jealous of me because I am
more beautiful. I just wanted to drive you crazy. .
lO-Boss: Will you please remember to lock (lock) the safe before you leave?
Bob: Certainly sir.
FORGET
1 -
You mustn't forget to invite
(invite) Dave to your birthday party. He is
a good friend.
2-
Don't forget to buy (buy) a bottle of wine for dinner.
3-
I'll never forget kissing (kiss) Mary for the first time. I felt so happy
then.
4-
Mother: Don't forget to make (make) your bed before you come downstairs.
Bob: All right mum.
5 -
Janet: You must apologize to Sue, Terry.
Terry: But why?
Janet: Have you forgotten making (make) fun of her in front of everybody
yesterday? You hurt her Terry.
6 -
If you forget to call (call) your wife about the meeting, she'll be very
angry with you.
7 -
Teacher: Can I see your homework, Peter?
Peter: Sorry, ma'am. I forgot to do (do) it.
8 -
You mustn't forget to take (take) that pill every four hours. Otherwise
you can't get well.
STOP
1 -
Stop making (make) that terrible noise or I'll call the police.
2-
Dave felt really tired and decided to stop to have (have) a cup of coffee.
3-
It was lunch time. The workers stopped to have (have) their lunch.
4-
They were all eating their dinner when they heard the news on TV. They all
stopped eating (eat) and looked at each other in panic.
5 -
I was driving along when I saw that wonderful view from the mountains, so
I stopped to watch (watch) the beautiful valley lying below.
6 -
Two neighbors started to argue because of the noise. They didn't stop
shouting (shout) at each other until the police arrived.
7 -
Why did you stop singing (sing)? It was a nice song.
8 -
A: Alice is late again. I worry about her.
B: Stop worrying (worry). She is old enough to keep out of trouble.
9 -
Mrs. Chatter is a talkative woman. Once she starts, she never stops
talking (talk).
lO-
Mr. Robson was digging his garden when a neighbor said "Hello!". He
stopped to greet (greet) his neighbor.