Verb + to-infinitive or -ing?
Some verbs are followed by a to-infinitive
but not -ing: agree, aim, ask, decline,
demand, fail, hesitate, hope, hurry, manage,
offer, plan, prepare, refuse, want, wish.
Some verbs are followed by -ing but not a
to-infinitive: admit, avoid, consider, delay,
deny, detest, dread, envisage, feel like, finish,
imagine, miss, recall, resent, risk, suggest.
The verbs begin, cease, start, and continue can be followed by either a to-infinitive or an -ing
form w i t h little difference in meaning:
• Even though it was raining, they continued to play / playing.
However, w i t h these verbs we normally avoid using two -ing forms together, as a repeated
pattern can sound awkward:
• Fm starting to learn Swahili, {rather than Fm starting learning Swahili.)
The verbs advise and encourage are followed by -ing when there is no object and to-infinitive
when there is one. Compare:
• Fd advise taking more exercise.
and
• Fd advise you to take more exercise.
Other verbs can be followed by either a to-infinitive or an -ing form, but there can be a
difference i n meaning. These include come, go on, mean, regret, remember, stop, try.
+ to-infinitive
+ -ing
come
to talk about a gradual change
• After some years, they came to accept
her as an equal.
to say that someone moves in the way that
is described
• He came hurrying up the path.
go on
to mean that something is done after
something eise is finished
• After the interval, Pavarotti went on
to sing an aria from Tosca.
to say that someone moves in the way that
is described
• Although she asked him to stop, he went
on tapping his pen on the table.
mean
to say that we intend(ed) to do
something
• I meant to phone you last week.
to say that something has something eise as
a result
• If we want to get there by 7.00, that
means getting up before 5.00.
regret
to say that we are about to do something
we are not happy about
• I regret to inform you that your
application has been unsuccessful.
to say we have already done something
that we are not happy about
• It's too late now, but PH always regret
asking John to do the work.
remember
to mean that remembering comes before
the actjon described
• Remember to take your hat when
you go out. (first remember, and then
take it)
stop
to say why we stop doing something
• She stopped to make a cup of tea.
try
to say that we attempt to do something
• I tried to get the table through the
door, but it was too big.
Verb + to-lnflnltlve or bare Infinitive? =>
Verb+-ing:
to mean the action comes before
remembering
0 • I remember going to the bank, but
•
nothing after that. (I remember that I
went there)
to say what it is that we stop doing
• They stopped laughing when Malcolm
walked into the room.
to say we test something to see if it
improves a Situation
^ • I tried taking some aspirin, but the pain 1
•
didn't go away.
EXERCISES
Complete these sentences with either a to-infinitive or an -ing form. Choose an appropriate
Sometimes more than one verb is possible. (B)
admire
buy
say
smoke
1 a
b
c
d
check
spend
cnjoy
talk
teil
introduce
tear
Although it was hard at first, she came .
As I walked through the gate, the dog came
After working w i t h her for so long, I came
Yesterday, T o m was so late he came
live
notify
turn down
put
verb.
race
working for the airline.
towards me.
her patience and efficiency.
downstairs, grabbed a cup of coffee and left.
2 a The children were shouting and screaming, but he went on
to Frank.
b We've tried to persuade her to stop, but she just goes on
c D r Harris welcomed the members of the committee and went on
the subject of
the meeting.
d Then, i n her letter, she goes on
that most of her family have been i l l .
3 a
b
c
d
I regret
you that the model you want is out of stock,
We regret
you that ypur request for a tax refund has been rejected.
Almost as soon as I had posted the letter, I regretted
the job.
I t cost me a fortune, but I don't regret
a year travelling around the w o r l d .
4 a Bill was very young when they left, and he could no longer remember
house.
'
b D i d you remember
a newspaper on the way home?
c Remember
your answers before handing i n your exam paper,
d I remember
the money i n the top drawer, but it's not there now.
i n the
Complete these sentences in any appropriate way using either the to-infinitive or the -ing form
ofthe verb in brackets. Ifboth forms are possible, give them both. (A & B)
t
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Passing the kitchen, he stopped to «trink a, large glass of water.
When the car broke down, she started...
Here's the money I owe you. I meant...
T o lose weight, Fd advise you...
I found that my back stopped... when...
T o help me get to sleep, I tried...
The orchestra was just beginning...
Please don't hesitate...
When he found that he couldn't walk, he began...
The handle came off when I tried...
Y o u could see the doctor today but as you haven't got
an appointment i t would mean...
i
*
m*.
S(A0KING
lAwrc-KAiAi.
•, (drink)
(push)
(give)
(cut out)
(ache)
(think)
(play)
(call)
(shout)
(litt)
(wait)