Unit

53 Verb + -ing (enjoy doing / stop doing etc.)

A We say: Would you mind
I enjoy reading. (not I enjoy to read) closing the door?
Would you mind closing the door?
(not mind to close)
Chris suggested going to the cinema.
(not suggested to go)
After enjoy, mind and suggest, we use -ing (not to …).
Some more verbs that are followed by -ing:
stop recommend admit avoid imagine
finish consider deny risk fancy
Suddenly everybody stopped talking. There was silence.
I’ll do the shopping when I’ve finished cleaning the flat.
He tried to avoid answering my question.
I don’t fancy going out this evening. (= I’m not enthusiastic about it)
Have you ever considered going to live in another country?
They said they were innocent. They denied doing anything wrong.
The negative form is not -ing:
When I’m on holiday, I enjoy not having to get up early.

B We also use -ing after:

give up (= stop)
put off (= delay until later)
go on or carry on (= continue)
keep or keep on (= do something continuously or repeatedly)
I’ve given up buying newspapers. I don’t read them any more.
You shouldn’t put off telling him what happened. You need to tell him now.
Katherine doesn’t want to retire. She wants to go on working. or … to carry on working.
You keep interrupting when I’m talking. or You keep on interrupting …

C With some verbs you can use the structure verb + somebody + -ing:
You can’t stop people doing what they want.
I can’t imagine George riding a motorbike.
Did she really say that? I don’t remember her saying that.
Sorry to keep you waiting so long.

D When you talk about finished actions, you can say having done/stolen/said etc. :
They admitted having stolen the money.
But it is not necessary to use having (done). You can say:
They admitted stealing the money.
I now regret saying that. or I now regret having said that.

E Other structures are possible with admit, deny, suggest and recommend. For example, you can say:
They denied (that) they had done anything wrong. (= They denied doing …)
Chris suggested (that) we go to the cinema. (= Chris suggested going …)
I recommend (that) you travel by train. (= I recommend travelling …)

suggest ➜ Unit 34 being done (passive) ➜ Unit 44B Verb + to … ➜ Unit 54

Verb + to … and -ing ➜ Units 55C, 56–58 remember / regret / go on ➜ Unit 56B
106 go on / carry on / keep on ➜ Unit 141A
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 Unit
Exercises 53
53.1 Complete the sentences for each situation. Use -ing.
1 She suggested going to
What shall we do? We could go to the zoo.
the zoo .
2 Do you want to play tennis? No, not really. He didn’t fancy
.
3 Let’s go for a walk. Good idea! She suggested
.
4 You caused the accident. No, I didn’t. He denied
.
5 Can you wait a few minutes? Sure, no problem. They didn’t mind
.
6 You didn’t tell the truth. That’s right. I didn’t. She admitted
.

53.2 Complete the sentences. Choose from these verbs (in the correct form):
answer apply forget interrupt listen live
lose make pay read travel try
1 He tried to avoid answering my question.
2 I’m trying to concentrate. Please stop so much noise!
3 I enjoy to music.
4 I considered for the job, but in the end I decided against it.
5 Have you finished the newspaper yet?
6 We need to change our routine. We can’t go on like this.
7 It’s better to avoid during the rush hour.
8 My memory is getting worse. I keep things.
9 I’ve put off this bill so many times. I really must do it today.
10 I’ve given up to learn Japanese. I was making no progress.
11 If you gamble, you risk your money.
12 Would you mind not me all the time? Let me speak!

53.3 Put the words in the right order.

1 Did she really say that? I (that / remember / her / saying / don’t).
I don’t remember her saying that.
2 It’s OK if you want to drive my car. I (driving / don’t / it / you / mind).
I
3 What a stupid thing to do! Can (imagine / so stupid / being / you / anybody)?
Can
4 We can’t control the weather. We (raining / stop / it / can’t).
We
5 I’ll be as quick as I can. I (waiting / want / keep / you / don’t / to).
I

53.4 Use your own ideas to complete these sentences. Use -ing.
1 She’s a very interesting person. I always enjoy talking to her .
2 I’m not feeling very well. I don’t fancy .
3 I’m afraid there aren’t any chairs. I hope you don’t mind .
4 It was a beautiful day, so I suggested .
5 The movie was very funny. I couldn’t stop .
6 My car is unreliable. It keeps .

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Unit
54 Verb + to … (decide to … / forget to … etc.)
A After these verbs you can use to … (infinitive):
offer plan manage deserve
agree arrange fail afford
refuse hope promise learn
decide forget threaten tend

It was a long way to walk, so we decided to take a taxi home.

Simon was in a difficult situation, so I agreed to help him.
I waved to Karen, but failed to attract her attention.
I like Dan, but I think he tends to talk too much. Dan tends to talk too much.
How old were you when you learnt to drive?
or … learnt how to drive?
The negative is not to … :
We decided not to go out because of the weather.
I promised not to be late.
After some verbs, we use -ing (not to …). For example, enjoy/think/suggest:
I enjoy reading. (not enjoy to read)
Andy suggested meeting for coffee. (not suggested to meet)
Are you thinking of buying a car? (not thinking to buy)
For verb + -ing, see Units 53 and 62.

B After dare you can use the infinitive with or without to:
I didn’t dare to tell him. or I didn’t dare tell him.
But after dare not (or daren’t), we do not use to:
I daren’t tell him what happened. (not I daren’t to tell him)

C We also use to … after seem, appear, pretend and claim. For example:
They seem to have plenty of money.
Ann pretended not to see me when she passed me in the street.
You can also use to be -ing (continuous infinitive) and to have (done) (perfect infinitive):
I pretended to be reading the newspaper. (= I pretended that I was reading)
Have you seen my keys? I seem to have lost them. (= it seems that I have lost them)
She claimed not to have seen me. (= she claimed that she hadn’t seen me)

D After these verbs you can use a question word (what/how etc.) + to … .
ask know decide remember forget learn explain understand wonder
For example:
We asked how to get to the station.
Have you decided where to go on holiday?
I don’t know whether to apply for the job or not.
Do you understand what to do?

also
show/tell/ask/advise/teach somebody what/how/where to do something:
Can somebody show me how to use this camera?
Ask Jack. He’ll tell you what to do.

Verb + -ing ➜ Unit 53 Verb + object + to … (want etc.) ➜ Unit 55

108 Verb + to … and -ing ➜ Units 55C, 56–58
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 Unit
Exercises 54
54.1 Complete the sentences for these situations.
1 They decided to get
Shall we get married? Yes, let’s.
married .
2 Please help me. OK.
She agreed
.
3 Can I carry your bag for you? No, thanks. I can manage. He offered
.
4 Let’s meet at 8 o’clock. OK, fine. They arranged
.
5 What’s your name? I’m not going to tell you. She refused
.
6 Please don’t tell anyone. I won’t. I promise.
She promised
.
54.2 Complete the sentences. Use a suitable verb.
1 Don’t forget to lock the door when you go out.
2 There was a lot of traffic, but we managed to the airport in time.
3 We couldn’t afford in London. It’s too expensive.
4 I can’t play a musical instrument, but I’d like to learn the guitar.
5 I don’t want Mark to know what happened. I decided not him.
6 We were all afraid to speak. Nobody dared anything.
54.3 Put the verb into the correct form, to … or -ing. (See Unit 53 for verbs + -ing.)
1 When I’m tired, I enjoy watching TV. It’s relaxing. (watch)
2 I’ve decided for another job. I need a change. (look)
3 I’m not going anywhere! I refuse . (move)
4 I’m not in a hurry. I don’t mind . (wait)
5 Tina ran in a marathon last week, but she failed . (finish)
6 I wish that dog would stop . It’s driving me crazy. (bark)
7 They didn’t know I was listening to them. I pretended asleep. (be)
8 We were hungry, so I suggested dinner early. (have)
9 Hurry up! I don’t want to risk the train. (miss)
10 David is very quiet. He tends not much. (say)
54.4 Make a new sentence using the verb in brackets.
1 I’ve lost my keys. (seem) I seem to have lost my keys.
2 Tom is worried about something. (appear) Tom appears
3 You know a lot of people. (seem) You
4 My English is getting better. (seem)
5 That car has broken down. (appear)
6 Rachel is enjoying her job. (seem)
7 They have solved the problem. (claim)
54.5 Complete each sentence using what/how/where/whether + these verbs:
do get go put ride use
1 Do you know how to get to the airport from here?
2 Would you know if there was a fire in the building?
3 You’ll never forget a bike once you’ve learnt.
4 I’ve been invited to the party, but I haven’t decided or not.
5 My room is very untidy. I’ve got so many things and I don’t know them.
6 I have some clothes to wash. Can you show me the washing machine?

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Unit
55 Verb (+ object) + to … (I want you to …)
A We say:

verb + to … verb + object + to …

want want
expect to go expect to go
ask to be ask somebody to be
and
help to work help something to work
would like etc. would like etc.
would prefer would prefer

We expected to be late. We expected Dan to be late.

Would you like to go now? Would you like me to go now?
He doesn’t want to know. He doesn’t want anybody to know.
We do not usually say ‘want that’:
Do you want me to come with you? (not want that I come)
You can use help with or without to. You can say:
Can you help me to move this table? or Can you help me move this table?

B These verbs have the structure verb + object + to … :

verb + object + to …
tell
advise It’s not a nice hotel. I wouldn’t advise you to stay
remind there.
warn Can you remind me to call Sam tomorrow?
invite to do Joe said the switch was dangerous and warned me
encourage to be not to touch it.
somebody
persuade to work I didn’t move the piano by myself. I got somebody
get etc. to help me.
force Who taught you to drive?
teach They don’t allow people to park in front of the
allow building.
enable
In these examples, the verb is passive (I was warned / we are allowed etc.):
I was warned not to touch the switch.
Are we allowed to park here?
We do not use suggest with to … :
Jane suggested that I ask you for advice. (not Jane suggested me to ask)

C We say ‘make somebody do something’, ‘let somebody do something’ (without to):

I made him promise that he wouldn’t tell anybody what happened.
(not made him to promise)
Hot weather makes me feel tired. (= causes me to feel tired)
Her parents wouldn’t let her go out alone. (= wouldn’t allow her to go out)
Let me carry your bag for you.
We say ‘make somebody do’, but in the passive we say ‘(be) made to do’ (with to):
We were made to wait for two hours. (= They made us wait …)

suggest ➜ Units 34, 53 tell/ask somebody to … ➜ Unit 48D Verb + -ing ➜ Unit 53
110 Verb + to … ➜ Unit 54 Verb + to …facebook.com/LinguaLIB
and -ing ➜ Units 56–58 help ➜ Unit 57C
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 Unit
Exercises 55
55.1 Complete the questions. Use do you want me to … ? or would you like me to … ? with these
verbs (and any other necessary words):
come lend repeat show shut wait
1 Do you want to go alone, or do you want me to come with you ?
2 Do you have enough money, or do you want ?
3 Shall I leave the window open, or would you ?
4 Do you know how to use the printer, or would ?
5 Did you hear what I said, or do ?
6 Can I go now, or do ?

55.2 Complete the sentences for these situations.

1 Meet me at the station. OK. She told him to meet
her at the station .
2 Why don’t you come That would be nice. They invited him
and stay with us? .
3 Don’t forget to call Joe. No, I won’t forget. He reminded her
.
4 She warned
Be careful. Don’t worry. I will.
.
5 Can you give me a hand? Sure. He asked
.

55.3 Complete the second sentence so that the meaning is similar to the first sentence.
1 My father said I could use his car. My father allowed me to use his car.
2 I was surprised that it rained. I didn’t expect
3 Don’t stop him doing what he wants. Let
4 Tom looks older when he wears glasses. Tom’s glasses make
5 I think you should know the truth. I want
6 At first I didn’t want to apply for the Sarah persuaded
job, but Sarah persuaded me.
7 My lawyer said I shouldn’t say My lawyer advised
anything to the police.
8 I was told that I shouldn’t believe I was warned
everything he says.
9 If you’ve got a car, you are able to get Having a car enables
around more easily.

55.4 Which is right?

1 You aren’t allowed take / to take pictures here. (to take is correct)
2 I’m in a difficult position. What do you advise me do / to do?
3 The film was very sad. It made me cry / to cry.
4 Lisa’s parents always encouraged her study / to study hard at school.
5 Please don’t interrupt me. Let me finish / to finish.
6 You can’t make people do / to do things they don’t want to do.
7 You can’t force people do / to do things they don’t want to do.
8 Sarah won’t let me drive / to drive her car. She doesn’t trust me.
9 Why did you change your decision? What made you change / to change your mind?
10 If you enter a country with a tourist visa, you are not allowed work / to work there.

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Unit
56 Verb + -ing or to … 1 (remember, regret etc.)
A Some verbs are followed by -ing and some are followed by to … .
Verbs that you can use with -ing (not to …): Verbs that you can use with to … :
admit fancy postpone afford fail offer
avoid finish risk agree forget plan
consider imagine stop arrange hope promise
deny keep (on) suggest decide learn refuse
enjoy mind deserve manage tend
For examples, see Unit 53. For examples, see Unit 54.

B Some verbs can be followed by -ing or to … with a difference of meaning:

remember

I remember doing something = I did it and I remembered to do something =

now I remember this. I remembered that I had to do it, so I did it.
You remember doing something after you You remember to do something before you
have done it. do it.
I know I locked the door. I clearly I remembered to lock the door, but I
remember locking it. forgot to shut the windows.
(= I locked it, and now I remember this) (= I remembered that I had to lock it,
He could remember driving along the and so I locked it)
road just before the accident, but he Remember to buy some bananas.
couldn’t remember the accident itself. (= Don’t forget to buy them)

regret

I regret doing something = I did it and now I regret to say / to tell you / to inform you =
I am sorry about it: I am sorry that I have to say:
I now regret saying what I said. I (from a formal letter) I regret to say that
shouldn’t have said it. we are unable to accept your offer.
Do you regret not going to college?

go on

go on doing something = continue doing the go on to do something = do or say something

same thing: new:
The president paused for a moment and After discussing the economy, the
then went on talking. president went on to talk about
We need to change. We can’t go on foreign policy.
living like this.

C We use the following verbs with -ing or to … with no difference of meaning:

begin start continue intend bother
So you can say:
It started raining. or It started to rain.
Andy intends buying a house. or Andy intends to buy …
Don’t bother locking the door. or Don’t bother to lock …
Normally we do not use -ing after -ing:
It’s starting to rain. (not usually It’s starting raining)

112 Verb + -ing ➜ Unit 53 Verb + to …facebook.com/LinguaLIB

➜ Units 54–55 Other verbs + -ing or to … ➜ Units 57–58
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 Unit
Exercises 56
56.1 Put the verb into the correct form, -ing or to … .
1 They denied stealing the money. (steal)
2 I don’t enjoy very much. (drive)
3 I can’t afford away. I don’t have enough money. (go)
4 Have you ever considered to live in another country? (go)
5 We were unlucky to lose the game. We played well and deserved . (win)
6 Why do you keep me questions? Leave me alone! (ask)
7 Please stop me questions! (ask)
8 I refuse any more questions. (answer)
9 The driver of one of the cars admitted the accident. (cause)
10 Mark needed our help, and we promised what we could. (do)
11 I don’t mind alone, but I’d rather be with other people. (be)
12 The wall was quite high, but I managed over it. (climb)
13 Sarah doesn’t know about the meeting. I forgot her. (tell)
14 I’ve enjoyed to you. I hope you again soon. (talk, see)

56.2 Tom can remember some things about his childhood, but he can’t remember others. Write
sentences with He remembers … or He doesn’t remember … .
1 He was in hospital when he was a small child. He can still remember this.
He remembers being in hospital when he was a small child.
2 He cried on his first day at school. He doesn’t remember this.
He doesn’t on his first day at school.
3 Once he fell into the river. He remembers this.
He .
4 He said he wanted to be a doctor. He doesn’t remember this.
to be a doctor.
5 Once he was bitten by a dog. He doesn’t remember this.
a dog.
6 His sister was born when he was four. He remembers this.
.

56.3 Complete the sentences with a suitable verb in the correct form, -ing or to … .
1 a Please remember to lock the door when you go out.
b He says we’ve met before, but I don’t remember him.
c Someone must have taken my bag. I clearly remember it by the
window and now it isn’t there.
d When you see Steve, remember hello to him from me.
e a: You lent me some money a few months ago.
b: Did I? Are you sure? I don’t remember you any money.
f a: Did you remember your sister?
b: No, I forgot. I’ll phone her tomorrow.
2 a The course I did wasn’t very good, but I don’t regret it.
b I knew they were in trouble, but I regret I did nothing to help them.
c It started to get cold, and he regretted not his coat.
d I now regret my job. It was a big mistake.
3 a Ben joined the company nine years ago. He became assistant manager after two
years, and a few years later he went on manager of the company.
b I can’t go on here any more. I want a different job.
c When I came into the room, Lisa was reading a book. She looked up and said hello,
and then went on her book.
d Food prices have gone up again. How are we going to manage if prices go on ?

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Unit
57 Verb + -ing or to … 2 (try, need, help)
A try to … and try -ing
try to do = attempt to do, make an effort to do:
I was very tired. I tried to keep my eyes open, but I couldn’t.
Please try to be quiet when you come home. Everyone will be asleep.
try something or try doing something = do it as an experiment or test:
These cakes are delicious. You should try one. (= have one to see if you like it)
We couldn’t find anywhere to stay. We tried every hotel in the town, but they were all full.
(= we went to every hotel to see if they had a room)
a: The photocopier doesn’t seem to be working.
b: Try pressing the green button.
(= press the green button – perhaps this will help to solve the problem)
Compare:
I tried to move the table, but it was too heavy. (so I couldn’t move it)
I didn’t like the way the furniture was arranged, so I tried moving the table to the other
side of the room. But it didn’t look right, so I moved it back again.
(I tried moving it = I moved it to see if it looked better)

B need to … and need -ing

I need to do something = it is necessary for me to do it:

He needs to work harder if he wants to make progress. My phone needs charging.
I don’t need to come to the meeting, do I?
You can say that something needs -ing:
My phone needs charging. (= it needs to be charged)
Does your suit need cleaning? (= … need to be cleaned)
It’s a difficult problem. It needs thinking about carefully.
(= it needs to be thought about carefully)
Compare:
I need to charge my phone.
but My phone needs charging.

C help and can’t help

You can say help to do or help do (with or without to):

Everybody helped to clean up after the party. or
Everybody helped clean up …
Can you help me move this table? or
Can you help me to move …
I can’t help doing something = I can’t stop myself doing it:
I don’t like him, but he has a lot of problems.
I can’t help feeling sorry for him.
She tried to be serious, but she couldn’t help laughing.
(= she couldn’t stop herself laughing)
I’m sorry I’m so nervous. I can’t help it.
(= I can’t help being nervous) She couldn’t help laughing.

114 Verb + -ing ➜ Unit 53 Verb + to …facebook.com/LinguaLIB

➜ Units 54–55 Other verbs + -ing or to … ➜ Units 56, 58
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 Unit
Exercises 57
57.1 Put the verb into the correct form.
1 I was very tired. I tried to keep my eyes open, but I couldn’t. (keep)
2 I tried the shelf, but I wasn’t tall enough. (reach)
3 I rang the doorbell, but there was no answer. Then I tried on the window,
but there was still no answer. (knock)
4 We tried the fire out, but without success. We had to call the fire
brigade. (put)
5 Please leave me alone. I’m trying . (concentrate)
6 Sue needed to borrow some money. She tried Carl, but he didn’t have
any. (ask)
7 Mr Bennett isn’t here right now. Please try later. (call)
8 The woman’s face was familiar. I tried where I’d seen her before.
(remember)
9 If you have a problem with the computer, try it. (restart)

57.2 For each picture, write a sentence with need(s) + one of the following verbs:
clean cut empty paint tighten

1 2 3 4 5

1 This room isn’t very nice. It needs painting .

2 The grass is very long. It .
3 The windows are dirty. They .
4 The screws are loose. .
5 The bin is full. .

57.3 Which is right?

1 We spend too much time sitting down. We need getting / to get more exercise.
(to get is correct)
2 These clothes are dirty. They all need washing / to wash.
3 My grandmother isn’t able to look after herself any more. She needs looking / to look after.
4 I can’t make a decision right now. I need thinking / to think about it.
5 Your hair is getting very long. It will need cutting / to cut soon.
6 I need a change. I need going / to go away for a while.
7 That shirt looks fine. You don’t need ironing / to iron it.
8 That shirt looks fine. It doesn’t need ironing / to iron.

57.4 Put the verb into the correct form.

1 I don’t like him, but I can’t help feeling sorry for him. (feel)
2 I’ve lost my phone. Can you help me for it? (look)
3 They were talking very loudly. We couldn’t help what they said. (overhear)
4 He looks so funny. Whenever I see him, I can’t help . (smile)
5 The fine weather helped it a really nice holiday. (make)
6 Did you help the meeting? (organise)
7 I think about what happened all the time. I can’t help about it. (think)
8 I can’t help you a job. You have to find one yourself. (get)

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Unit
58 Verb + -ing or to … 3 (like / would like etc.)
A like / love / hate
When you talk about repeated actions, you can use -ing or to … after these verbs.
So you can say:
Do you like getting up early? or Do you like to get up early?
Stephanie hates flying. or Stephanie hates to fly.
I love meeting people. or I love to meet people.
I don’t like being kept waiting. or … like to be kept waiting.
I don’t like friends calling me at work. or … friends to call me at work.
but
(1) We use -ing (not to …) when we talk about a situation that already exists (or existed).
For example:
Paul lives in Berlin now. He likes living there.
(he lives there now and he likes it)
Do you like being a student? (you are a student – do you like it?)
The office I worked in was horrible. I hated working there. (I worked there and I hated it)
(2) There is sometimes a difference between I like to do and I like doing:
I like doing something = I do it and I enjoy it:
I like cleaning the kitchen. (= I enjoy it.)
I like to do something = I choose to do it (but maybe I don’t enjoy it):
It’s not my favourite job, but I like to clean the kitchen as often as possible.
Note that we use -ing (not to …) with enjoy and mind:
I enjoy cleaning the kitchen. (not I enjoy to clean)
I don’t mind cleaning the kitchen. (not I don’t mind to clean)

B would like / would love / would hate / would prefer

Would like / would love etc. are usually followed by to … :
I’d like (= I would like) to go away for a few days.
What would you like to do this evening?
I wouldn’t like to go on holiday alone.
I’d love to meet your family.
Would you prefer to eat now or later?
Compare I like and I would like (I’d like):
I like playing tennis. / I like to play tennis. (= I like it in general)
I’d like to play tennis today. (= I want to play today)
Would mind is followed by -ing:
Would you mind closing the door, please? (not mind to close)

C I would like to have (done something)

I would like to have done something = I regret now that I didn’t or couldn’t do it:
It’s a shame we didn’t see Anna. I would like to have seen her again.
We’d like to have gone away, but we were too busy at home.
We use the same structure after would love / would hate / would prefer:
Poor David! I would hate to have been in his position.
I’d love to have gone to the party, but it was impossible.

116 enjoy/mind ➜ Unit 53 would like ➜ Units 37E, 55A prefer ➜ Unit 59
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 Unit
Exercises 58
58.1 Write sentences about yourself. Do you like these activities? Choose from these verbs:
like / don’t like love hate enjoy don’t mind

1 (flying) I don’t like flying. or I don’t like to fly.

2 (playing cards)
3 (being alone)
4 (going to museums)
5 (cooking)
6 (getting up early)

58.2 Make sentences using -ing or to … . Sometimes either form is possible.

1 Paul lives in Berlin now. It’s nice. He likes it.
(He / like / live / there) He likes living there.
2 Jane is a biology teacher. She likes her job
(She / like / teach / biology) She
3 Joe always has his camera with him and takes a lot of pictures.
(He / like / take / pictures)
4 I used to work in a supermarket. I didn’t like it much.
(I / not / like / work / there)
5 Rachel is studying medicine. She likes it.
(She / like / study / medicine)
6 Dan is famous, but he doesn’t like it.
(He / not / like / be / famous)
7 Jennifer is a very careful person. She doesn’t take many risks.
(She / not / like / take / risks)
8 I don’t like surprises.
(I / like / know / things / in advance)

58.3 Complete the sentences with a verb in the correct form, -ing or to … . In two sentences either form
is possible.
1 It’s fun to go to new places – I enjoy travelling .
2 ‘Would you like down?’ ‘No, thanks. I’ll stand.’
3 The music is very loud. Would you mind it down?
4 How do you relax? What do you like in your spare time?
5 When I have to take a train, I’m always worried that I’ll miss it. So I like
to the station in plenty of time.
6 I enjoy busy. I don’t like it when there’s nothing to do.
7 I would love to your wedding, but I’m afraid I’ll be away.
8 I don’t like in this part of town. I want to move somewhere else.
9 Do you have a minute? I’d like to you about something.
10 If there’s bad news and good news, I like the bad news first.
11 Shall we leave now, or would you prefer a little?
12 Steve wants to win every time. He hates .

58.4 Write sentences using would … to have (done). Use the verbs in brackets.
1 It’s a shame I couldn’t go to the party. (like) I would like to have gone to the party.
2 It’s a shame I didn’t see the programme. (like)
3 I’m glad I didn’t lose my watch. (hate)
4 It’s too bad I didn’t meet your parents. (love)
5 I’m glad I wasn’t alone. (not / like)
6 We should have travelled by train. (prefer)

➜ Additional exercises 26–28 (pages 317–19) facebook.com/LinguaLIB 117

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Unit
59 prefer and would rather
A prefer to … and prefer -ing
When you say what you prefer in general, you can use prefer to … or prefer -ing:
I don’t like cities. I prefer to live in the country. or I prefer living in the country.
You can say:
prefer something to something else
to doing something else
prefer doing something
rather than (doing) something else
prefer to do something rather than (do) something else
I prefer this coat to the other one.
I prefer driving to travelling by train. or
I prefer driving rather than travelling by train.
I prefer to drive rather than travel by train.
Sarah prefers to live in the country rather than in a city.

B would prefer (I’d prefer …)

We use would prefer to say what somebody wants in a specific situation (not in general):
‘Would you prefer tea or coffee?’ ‘Coffee, please.’
We say ‘would prefer to do something’ (not usually would prefer doing):
‘Shall we go by train?’ ‘I’d prefer to drive.’ (= I would prefer …)
I’d prefer to stay at home tonight rather than go to the cinema.

C would rather (I’d rather …)

I’d rather = I would rather. I’d rather do something = I’d prefer to do it.
We say I’d rather do (not to do). Compare:
⎧ ‘I’d rather drive.’ (not to drive)
‘Shall we go by train?’ ⎨
⎩ ‘I’d prefer to drive.’
Which would you rather do, ⎧
go to the cinema or go shopping?
Which would you prefer to do, ⎨⎩
The negative is ‘I’d rather not …’ :
I’m tired. I’d rather not go out this evening, if you don’t mind.
‘Do you want to go out this evening?’ ‘I’d rather not.’
We say ‘I’d rather do one thing than do another’:
I’d rather stay at home tonight than go to the cinema.

D I’d rather somebody did something

We say ‘I’d rather you did something’ (not I’d rather you do):
‘Who’s going to drive, you or me?’ ‘I’d rather you drove.’ (= I would prefer this)
‘Jack says he’ll repair your bike tomorrow, OK?’ ‘I’d rather he did it today.’
Are you going to tell Anna what happened, or would you rather I told her?
We use the past (drove, did etc.) here, but the meaning is present not past. Compare:
I’d rather make dinner now.
I’d rather you made dinner now. (not I’d rather you make)
I’d rather you didn’t (do something) = I’d prefer you not to do it:
I’d rather you didn’t tell anyone what I said.
‘Shall I tell Anna what happened?’ ‘I’d rather you didn’t.’
‘Are you going to tell Anna what happened?’ ‘No. I’d rather she didn’t know.’

118 would prefer ➜ Unit 58B preferfacebook.com/LinguaLIB

(one thing) to (another) ➜ Unit 136D
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 Unit
Exercises 59
59.1 Which do you prefer? Write sentences using ‘I prefer (something) to (something else)’.
1 (driving / travelling by train)
I prefer driving to travelling by train.
2 (basketball / football)
I prefer
3 (going to the cinema / watching movies at home)
I to
4 (being very busy / having nothing to do)
I
Now rewrite sentences 3 and 4 using rather than:
5 (1) I prefer to drive rather than travel by train.
or I prefer driving rather than travelling by train.
6 (3) I prefer
7 (4)

59.2 Complete the sentences. Sometimes you need one word, sometimes more.
A B

1 Shall we walk home? I’d rather get a taxi.

2 Do you want to eat now? I’d prefer to wait till later.
3 Would you like to watch TV? I’d to listen to some music.
4 Do you want to go to a restaurant? I’d rather at home.
5 Let’s go now. wait a few minutes.
6 What about a game of tennis? I’d prefer for a swim.
7 I think we should decide now. I’d think about it for a while.
8 Would you like to sit down? to stand.
9 Do you want me to come with you? I’d rather alone.

Now use the same ideas to complete these sentences using than and rather than.
10 (1) I’d rather get a taxi than wait for a bus.
11 (3) I’d rather some music
12 (4) I’d prefer at home
13 (6) I’d rather for a swim
14 (7) I’d prefer about it for a while

59.3 Complete the sentences using would you rather I … .

1 Are you going to make dinner or would you rather I made it ?
2 Are you going to pay the bill or would you rather ?
3 Are you going to do the shopping or ?
4 Are you going to phone Tina or ?

59.4 Use your own ideas (one or two words) to complete these sentences.
1 ‘Shall I tell Anna what happened?’ ‘No, I’d rather she didn’t know.’
2 You can stay here if you want to, but I’d rather you with us.
3 I don’t like this programme. I’d rather not it.
4 I’d rather work outdoors work in an office.
5 This is a private matter. I’d rather you tell anybody else.
6 The weather here isn’t bad, but I’d rather it a little warmer.
7 I don’t want to go to the match. I’d prefer it on TV.
8 ‘Do you mind if I open the window?’ ‘I’d rather you . I’m feeling cold.’
9 I hate doing the shopping. I’d rather somebody else it.
10 I’d prefer to go to the beach go shopping.

➜ Additional exercises 27–28 (pages 318–19) facebook.com/LinguaLIB 119

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