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Infinitives or Gerunds PDF

The document discusses verbs that can be followed by either an infinitive or gerund, and whether there is a difference in meaning. It separates the verbs into two groups: Group A verbs can be followed by an infinitive or gerund with little difference in meaning, while Group B verbs have a difference depending on which is used. Examples are provided to illustrate the nuances for verbs like remember, forget, regret, and try depending on whether an infinitive or gerund follows.

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Rosa 06
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188 views2 pages

Infinitives or Gerunds PDF

The document discusses verbs that can be followed by either an infinitive or gerund, and whether there is a difference in meaning. It separates the verbs into two groups: Group A verbs can be followed by an infinitive or gerund with little difference in meaning, while Group B verbs have a difference depending on which is used. Examples are provided to illustrate the nuances for verbs like remember, forget, regret, and try depending on whether an infinitive or gerund follows.

Uploaded by

Rosa 06
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Centro de Inglés Personalizado

Common Verbs Followed by Either Infinitives or Gerunds


Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or gerund, sometimes with no difference in meaning,
as in Group A below, and sometimes with a difference in meaning, as in Group B below:

GROUP A: VERB + INFINITIVE OR GERUND.


WITH NO DIFFERENCE IN MEANING

begin like hate The verb in Goup A may be followed


start love can't stand by either an infinitive or a gerund
continue prefer can't bear with little or no difference in meaning.

(a) It began to rain / It began raining. In (a): There is no difference between


(b) I started to work / I started working. began to rain and began raining.

(c) It was beginning to rain. If the main verb is progressive, an


infinitive (not a gerund) is usually
used, as in (c).
GROUP B: VERB + INFINITIVE OR GERUND,
WITH A DIFFERENCE IN MEANING The verbs in Group B may be followed
remember regret by either an infinitive or a gerund, but
forget try the meaning is diffrent.

(d) Judy always remembers to lock the door. Remember + infinitive = remember
to perfom responsability, duty, or task
as in (d)

(e) Sam often forgets to lock the door. Forget + infinitive = forget to perform a
responsability, duty, or task, as in (e).

(f ) I remember seeing the Alpas for the first time Remember + gerund = remember (recall)
The sight was impressive. something that happened in the past,
as in (f )

(g) I'll never forget seeing the Alps for the first time. Forget + gerund = forget something that
happened in the past, as in (g)

(h) I regret to tell you that you failed the test. Regret + infinitive = regret to say, to tell
someone, to inform someone of some
bad news, as in (h)
Centro de Inglés Personalizado

(i) I regret lending him some money. He never paid me back. Regret + gerund = regret something that
happened in the past, as in (i).
(j) I'm trying to learn English.
Try + infinitive = make an effort, as in (j).
(k) The room was hot. I tried opening the window,
but that didn't help. So I tried turnning on the Try + gerund = experiment with a new or
fan, but I was still hot. Finally, I turned on the different approach to see if it works,
air conditioner. as in (k).

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