V.

THE GERUND AND THE INFINITIVE

PART 1
1. Verbs+ -ing (EGU p. 106-107)
Here are some verbs used with -ing:

*admit excuse *resent

advise face risk
*appreciate *fancy *suggest
avoid finish it's no good / use
complete Imagine carry on / go on
contemplate involve give up
consider mention keep on
*deny mind leave off
detest miss look forward to
dislike postpone put off
dread practise can't stand/bear
endure recall spend / waste time
enjoy recommend tolerate
escape report understand

• Negative form = NOT + ING

Example: I enjoy not having to get up early.

• Passive form: BEING+ PP

Example: I don't mind being kept waiting.

• When we are talking about finished actions, we can use 'having + PP' (not compulsory!)
Example: They admitted stealing/ having stolen the money.

• With some verbs we can use VERB + SB + ING

Example: You can't stop me doing what I want.

• After some verbs (marked*), we can also use 'that' + clause

Example: They admitted that they had stolen the money.

• Note: 'appreciate' is often followed by a possessive + ing and 'suggest' by a subjunctive

(same form as the infinitive without 'to') or 'should'
Examples: I appreciate your trying to help.
They suggested we should have a meal.
They suggested that she apply again.
 2. Verbs + to + infinitive (EGU p. 108-109)
Here are some verbs used with 'to' + infinitive:

*agree *decide *learn resolve

afford *demand long seek
*appear deserve manage *seem
*arrange *expect neglect struggle
attempt fail offer *swear
ask grow pay tend
can’t afford hasten *plan *threaten
can’t wait happen *pledge *vow
choose hope *pretend want
claim hurry *promise *wish
dare intend refuse

* can also be followed by 'that' + clause

Negative form: NOT TO

Example: We decided not to go out.

• These verbs can also be followed by:

o a continuous infinitive: TO BE + ING

Example: I pretended to be reading the newspaper

o a perfect infinitive: TO HAVE + PP

Example: You seem to have lost weight.

• Note the use of 'dare':

o Dare + (to)+ inf e.g. I wouldn't dare (to) tell him
o Daren't + inf. (only without 'to') e.g. I daren't tell him what
happened

• Some verbs (especially: ask, decide, know, remember, forget, explain, learn, understand,
wonder) can be used with a question word (what, whether, how... ) + to+ inf.
Example: We asked how to get to the station

• Show/ tell /ask/ advise/ teach can be followed by 'SB' + what/ how/ where + to + inf.
Example: He'll tell you what to do.

• Appear, happen and seem are only used impersonally with that+ clause
Examples: It appears that I've made a mistake.
It so happens that he is my brother.
It seems that Mary is going to win.
 3. Verbs (+ object) + to (EGU p. 110-111)
These verbs can be followed by an object and 'to' + inf.

advise, allow, *ask, assist, *beg, bribe, command, dare, employ, enable, encourage, *expect, force,
get (= persuade/ arrange for), *help, instruct, invite, lead, *mean, order, persuade, recommend,
remind, select, send, teach, tell, train, urge, *want, warn, *would like, *would prefer

*can also be followed only by to + inf

Examples: We expected to be late.

We expected Tom to be late.
Who taught you to drive?
Can you remind me to phone Sam?
I was warned not to touch the switch.

• After 'help' we can use the infinitive with or without to

Example: He helped me (to) carry my bags of shopping.

• Advise, recommend, allow+ ING (without an object) or+ OBJECT+ TO+ INF.

Examples: I wouldn't advise staying in that hotel.

I wouldn't advise you to stay in that hotel.

Note the use of the passive with 'be allowed': Parking isn't allowed here= You aren't
allowed to park here

• Make, let+ OBJECT+ INF. without TO

Examples: It makes me feel tired.

They let me go out alone.

Note the passive form: TO+ INF

Example: They were made to wait for 2 hours.

Exercise 1 : Put the verb between brackets into the gerund or the infinitive.

1. It appears ……………………………………. (be) raining.

2. We intend ………………………………………… (go) to the countryside this weekend.

3. I pretended ………………………………………… (be) sick so I didn’t have to go to work.

4. Can you imagine ……………………………………… (live) without TV?

5. They tolerate ……………………………………… (smoke) but they prefer people not to.

6. I anticipate ……………………………………… (arrive) on Tuesday.

7. A wedding involves ……………………………………… (negotiate) with everyone in the family.

8. He denies ……………………………………… (steal) the money.

9. He claims ……………………………………… (be) a millionaire but I don’t believe him.

10. I expect ……………………………………… (be) there about seven.

11. Julia reported ………………………………………(see) the boys to the police.

12. It tends ……………………………………… (rain) a lot in Scotland.

13. Do you recall ……………………………………… (meet) het at the part y last week?

14. She mentioned ………………………………….. (go) to the cinema, but I don’t know what she decided to

do in the end.

15. The teenager refused ……………………………………… (go) on holiday with his parents.

16. I understand ……………………………………… (be) late once or twice, but every day I too much!

17. I would prefer you ………………………………………(come) early if you can.

18. That criminal deserves ………………………………………get a long sentence.

19. She completed ………………………………………(paint) het flat.

20. We arranged ……………………………………… (meet) at four but at four thirty she still hadn’t arrived.
4) Verbs + ing or+to + inf. (EGU p. 112-115)

• BEGIN, START, CONTINUE, INTEND, BOTHER can be used with - ING or TO+ INF.
with no difference in meaning. (! No gerund after a continuous tense)

Note that 'intend’ can be followed by 'that' + clause. This may include 'should'.

• REMEMBER/ FORGET

o + ING= refers to past events. We did it and now we remember this - or not.

Example: I know I locked the door. I remember locking it.

o + TO + INF = refers to an obligation/ an action we have to do. We remembered

we had to do it, so we did it - or we forgot and we didn't do it.

Example: I remembered to lock to door, but I forgot to shut the windows.

Note that both can be followed by 'that' + clause. e.g. I remembered that I had to
pay the phone bill.

• REGRET

o + ING = refers to a regret about the past. We did it and now we're sorry about
it. It can also be followed by 'that' + clause

Example; I now regret saying what I said. I shouldn’t have said it.

o + TO DO I SAY/ TELL/ INFORM (you) = I'm sorry that I have to say,... It refers to
the speaker's regret about what is going to be said (to be about to say bad
news). It often occurs in formal statements.

Example: we regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful.

• GO ON
o + ING STHG = Continue with the same thing

Example: We need to change. We cannot go on living like this.

o + TO DO STHG = Do or say sthg new. It refers to the continuation of a speech.

Example: After discussing the economy, the president then went on to talk about foreign
policy.
• TRY

o + ING (or+ noun)= refers to making an experiment, or to a new

experience.= Do sthg as an experiment or test ·

Example: She can’t find a job. She tried looking in the paper, but there was
nothing.

o + TO DO = refers to something attempted, which might fail = attempt to

do, make an effort to do

Example: She tried to climb the tree, but she couldn’t even get off the ground.

• STOP

o + ING= refers to the ending of an activity.

Example: he stopped smoking for health

reasons.

o + TO DO = refers to an intention = in order to

Example: He stopped to rest for a few

minutes.

• MEAN

o + ING + impersonal subject = refers to what is involved (result or consequence)

Example: Working in London means leaving home at 6.30

'That' + clause is also possible

Example: This meant that the clinic would need to be closed.

o + TO + INF. = intend

Example: I didn’t mean to make you cry.

• NEED

o + ING = it needs to be done (passive)

Example: the house needs cleaning.

o + TO DO = it is necessary for me to do it
Example: he needs to call his boss.
• HELP

o + (TO) DO
Example: Can you help me (to) move the table, please?

o CAN'T HELP+ ING = I can't stop myself doing it

Example: She tried to be serious, but she couldn’t help laughing.

• LIKE, LOVE, HATE (EGU p. 116-117)

o + ING/+ TO+INF. = repeated actions (you like sthg in general)
Example: I like getting up early = I like to get up early.

o + ING = situation that already exists (or existed). he -ing form

emphasises the verb itself. = I do it and I enjoy it
Examples: I love cooking Indian food. (emphasis on the process
itself and enjoyment of it)
She hates cleaning her room.
Most people prefer watching a film at the cinema rather
than on TV.

o + TO DO = I think it's a good thing to do but I don't necessarily

enjoy it. The to-infinitive puts the emphasis more on the preference
for, or the results of the action.
Examples: I like to drink juice in the morning, and tea at lunchtime. (emphasis more on
the preference or habit)
I hate to be the only person to disagree. (emphasis more on the result: I
would prefer not to be in that situation.)
We prefer to drive during the day whenever we can. (emphasis more on the
result and on the habit or preference. The speaker doesn’t necessarily enjoy
the process of driving at any time of day.)

• MIND/ ENJOY/ WOULD MIND+ ING

Examples: I enjoyed meeting your best friend!

Would you mind closing the window, please?

• WOULD LIKE/ WOULD LOVE/ WOULD HATE/ WOULD PREFER

o +TO+ INF.

Example: I would love to meet your best friend

o + TO HAVE DONE STHG = I regret now that 1 didn't or couldn't do it

Example: I would love to have seen her before!

Prefer - would rather (EGU p. 118-119)

PREFER

• Prefer something to something else

• Prefer doing something to doing something else
• Prefer to do something rather than (do) something else
• Would prefer·+ to+ inf. = to say what sb wants in a specific situation (! Not general)

Example: I prefer driving to travelling by bus.

WOULD / 'D RATHER (DO) = would prefer

• Negative form: I'd rather not+ inf. without TO

• I'd rather do sthg than do sthg else (same subject)
• I'd rather you did sthg (! Past form but the meaning is present)

Example: I’d rather not go out this evening! I’m exhausted.

Be / get used to sthg (EGU p. 122-123)

• To be/ get used to sthg / to doing sthg

• I'm used to sthg = it is not new or strange for me
• I'm used to doing sthg ≠ I used to do sthg (= past habit)

Example: I’m used to driving on the right.

I used to see my cousin once a week but it’s not the case anymore.
Exercise 2: Put the verb into the gerund or the infinitive:
1) I couldn't sleep so I tried
…………………………………………….. (drink) some hot milk.
2) She tried …………………………………………….. (reach) the
book on the high shelf but she was too small.
3) They tried …………………………………………….. (get) to the
party on time but the bus was delayed.
4) We tried …………………………………………….. (open) the window, but it was so hot
outside it didn't help.
5) He tried …………………………………………….. (get) a job in a newspaper firm but
they wouldn't hire him.
6) He tried …………………………………………….. (get) a job in a newspaper firm but he
still wasn't satisfied.
7) You should stop …………………………………………….. (smoke), it's not good for your
health.
8) We stopped …………………………………………….. (study) because we were tired.
9) They will stop …………………………………………….. (have) lunch at twelve.
10) We stopped …………………………………………….. (have) a rest because we were
really sleepy.
11) Oh no! I forgot …………………………………………….. (buy) milk.
12) Please don't forget …………………………………………….. (pick up) some juice on
your way home.
13) I forget …………………………………………….. (lock) the door, but I'm sure I must
have locked it.
14) Have we studied this before? I've forgotten ……………………………………………..
(learn) it.
15) Please remember …………………………………………….. (bring) your homework.
16) I remember …………………………………………….. (go) to the beach as a child.
17) Finally I remembered …………………………………………….. (bring) your book! Here
it is.
18) Do you remember …………………………………………….. (eat) steak in that little
restaurant in Rome?
19) I regret …………………………………………….. (tell) you the train has been delayed.
20) I regret …………………………………………….. (tell) Julie my secret. Now she has
told everyone.
Exercise 3: Complete the following texts putting the verbs into the gerund or the to-
infinitive.

Dear Mrs Walters,

Thank you for your application for the diploma in tourism but I regret ... ... ... ... ...
... (inform) you that this course is now full. Should you wish to take the course
elsewhere, I would advise you ... ... .. . ...... ... (apply) to Central College. They
started ... ... ... ... ... ... (run) a course in tourism a year ago and I would recommend
you ... ... ... ... ... ... (consider) ... ... ... ... ... ... (enrol) on that course rather than ......
............ (wait) another year to do a course here. If you would prefer ... ... ... ... ...
... (wait) for this course, then I would encourage you .................. (try) ...... ... ... ...
...(find) some work related to tourism so that you can start ... ... ... ... ... ...
(acquire) some relevant experience.

Exercise 4 Complete the sentences with used to + infinitive or be / get used to + -

ing form in the positive or negative form.
1. When I was a child, I ... ... ... ... ...... ... ... ... ...... ... (dream) of being an astronaut.
2. I'm terribly nervous. l ...... ... ... ... ... ... ...... ... ... ... (speak) to a large audience.
3. My parents .... ... ......... ... ... ... ... ... ... (live) in Bristol but now they live in South Africa.
They found it strange at first, as they ... ... ... ... ...... .... .. ... ... ... ... (live) in such a hot
climate, but they .... .. ... .... ..... .... .. ... ...... ... it.
4. It took us ages to ... ... ... ... .._...................... (live) in a block of flats.
5. Lots of trains .... .. ...... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... (stop) here, but not many do now.
6. ...... ... .................. ...... ... (Nick/work) on a building site a few years ago?
7. There ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... (be) so many soap operas on television when I
was younger.
8. I'll have an orange juice, please. I ... ... ... ... .. . ... ... ... ... ... .. . ... (drink) alcohol , I don't like

it.
9. David doesn't seem to mind being in hospital. I suppose he ... ... ... ...... .. . ... ... ... ... ...
... (be) there.
10. When Laura was at college, she ... ... ... ... ... .... ..... ... ... ... ... (have) a picture of the
Beatles on her bedroom wall, she was a huge fan of them.