Sometimes we need to decide whether to use a verb in its: -ing form, gerund (doing, singing) or infinitive form (to do, to sing). For example, only one of the following sentences is correct. Which one?
We decided to take a taxi OR We decided taking a taxi
A) WHEN TO USE AN INFINITIVE:
1-always used AFTER ADJECTIVES, for example: disappointed, glad, happy, pleased, relieved, sad, surprised...
A) WHEN TO USE AN INFINITIVE:
1-always used AFTER ADJECTIVES, for example: disappointed, glad, happy, pleased, relieved, sad, surprised...
I was happy to help them. She will be delighted to see you.
- Including TOO+ADJECTIVE: The water was too cold to swim in.
Is your coffee too hot to drink?
- It is used after ADJECTIVE+ENOUGH: He was strong enough to lift it.
She is rich enough to buy two.
2- It's used to express PURPOSE*: He phoned to invite me to a party
*For+somebody+TO DO+something: This bench is for us to sit on /
*For+ing: A knife is used for cutting
3- It's always used after QUESTION WORDS+ a verb:
I don't know how to do it. He didn't say when to call him.
4- The infinitive form is used after certain verbs:- agree, allow, can/can't afford, choose, decide, encourage, expect, forget, help, hope, learn, manage, mean, offer, plan, pretend, promise, recommend, refuse, teach, train, want...
I forgot to close the window. We can't afford to take a long holiday.
5- With other verbs the structure is: VERB+(obj)+TO* infinitive: -allow, ask, expect,
help, invite, mean, order, recommend, remind, teach, tell, want, warn...The police ordered the people to leave.
He wanted me to go with him. I warned him not to come back late.
!!*- make & let: verb+obj.+infinitive without to. Let me do it.
6- Always with MODAL VERBS+infinitive without to: - can/could, may/might, must, need, shall/should, will/would. (Except: ought to).
She can swim very well. I'll see you tomorrow. You mustn't do that.
You should go to the doctor. / You ought to go to the doctor.
B) WHEN TO USE A GERUND (-ing):
1- The -ing form is used as a noun and is the subject of a sentence or clause:
1- The -ing form is used as a noun and is the subject of a sentence or clause:
Swimming is good exercise. Doctors say that smoking is bad for you.
2- The -ing form is ALWAYS used after a PREPOSITION:
They left without saying "goodbye".
or a VERB+PREPOSITION*: - succeed in, insist on, think of...
He insisted on taking me home.
or EXPRESSIONS*: - it's no good/use, have difficulty, go+-ing...
It's no use in complaining He goes swimming every Tuesday.
!!* Watch out with:
- USED TO+infinitive: He used to wear glasses.
- BE/GET USED TO+ing: He's used to getting up early.
- LOOK FORWARD TO+ing: They are looking forward to visiting us this summer.
3- The -ing form is used after certain verbs: avoid, can/can't stand, carry on, dislike, enjoy, fancy, finish, give up, imagine, keep on, mind/not mind, miss, practise
I dislike getting up early. Would you mind opening the window?
C) Some verbs can be followed by the -ing form or the infinitive:
1) Without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like*, love, prefer*, propose, start.
It started to rain. (common) - It started raining.
I like to play tennis. (it's good, right) - I like playing tennis. (I enjoy it).
!!*would like to+infinitive: I would like to live here.
I dislike getting up early. Would you mind opening the window?
C) Some verbs can be followed by the -ing form or the infinitive:
1) Without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like*, love, prefer*, propose, start.
It started to rain. (common) - It started raining.
I like to play tennis. (it's good, right) - I like playing tennis. (I enjoy it).
!!*would like to+infinitive: I would like to live here.
!!*prefer +ing to +ing: I prefer driving to travelling by train.
prefer to infinitive rather than...: I prefer to drive rather than to travel by train.
would prefer to infinitive rather than...: I'd prefer to stay (rather than leave).
2) Others have a change of meaning depending on which is used:
- REMEMBER / REGRET
2) Others have a change of meaning depending on which is used:
- REMEMBER / REGRET
I remember posting the letter. (= He remembers having done it. After)
Remember to post the letter when you go out. (Before doing it, remind you to do it.)
- NEED
Remember to post the letter when you go out. (Before doing it, remind you to do it.)
- NEED
I need to do more exercise. (It's necessary for me).
The batteries need changing. (Need as a modal verb. It needs to be done.).
- STOP
The batteries need changing. (Need as a modal verb. It needs to be done.).
- STOP
I stopped to talk to him. (It tells the reason for stopping).
He stopped walking. (It tells the action which stopped).
- TRY
He stopped walking. (It tells the action which stopped).
- TRY
I tried to keep my eyes open. (Effort, attempt).
Try pressing this button. (Experiment, test).
Here are links to practice and test yourself:
http://www.edu.ge.ch/cptic/prospective/anglais/exercises/gerund2.htmTry pressing this button. (Experiment, test).
Here are links to practice and test yourself:
No comments:
Post a Comment