Infinitive or -ing


Verb + -ing :

delay, fancy, consider, admit, miss, involve, finish, postpone, imagine, avoid, deny, risk,
practise, enjoy, suggest, mind, give up, put off, carry on, go on, keep on, can´t help
/laughing/,dislike, can´t stand.


verb + to:

offer, decide, hope, deserve, attempt, promise, agree, plan, aim, afford, manage, threaten, refuse,
arrange, learn, forget, fail, seem, appear, tend, pretend, claim, decide, dare, want, ask, help,
expect, beg, tell, remind, force, enable, teach, order, warn, invite, persuade, make, let.


both -ing + infinitive:

begin, start, intend, continue, bother, love, like, hate, can´t bear /no difference in meaning/


difference in meaning:


stop + ing = give up the activity /he stopped smoking/

stop + inf. = intent /he stopped to smoke = with the aim to smoke/


advise, recommend, encourage, allow, permit, forbid:

verb + -ing /without an object/                                 verb + object + to:

I recommend waiting                                       I recommend you to wait


remember + -ing = I did it and now I remember /I remember posting the letter/

remember – to…= not to forget or to realise /please remember to post the letter/


regret + -ing = I am sorry about what I did /I regret saying it/

regret + to…= I´m sorry that I have to…/We regret to inform you…/


go on + -ing = continue /He went on talking/

go on + to.. = do or say something new /After discussing it he went on to talk about economy/


try + -ing = testing /try pressing the button

try + to.. = attempt, effort /I tried to move the table/


need + -ing = something needs to be done /the floor needs cleaning/

need + to.. = it is necessary /I need to take more exercise/


NOTE: would is followed by infinitive: I would like to go.

               I would like to have done something= I regret I couldn´t do it






EXERCISE:


Put the verbs in italics into correct forms:



 1. We can´t go on live like this.
 2. I don´t mind wait.
 3. She denied steal the money.
 4. You can´t stop me do what I want.
 5. Sorry to keep you wait so long.
 6. I always enjoy talk to her.
 7. I don´t fancy go to the theatre.
 8. Can you imagine anybody be so stupid?
 9. Sarah gave up smoke.
10. We decided take a taxi home.
11. I agreed lend him some money.
12. I promised not be late.
13. She pretended not see me.
14. I wouldn´t dare tell him.
15. Can you help me move this table?
16. I wouldn´t recommend stay in that hotel.
17. Where would you recommend me go for my holiday?
18. I like dance, would you like dance with me?
19. She doesn´t allow smoke in the house.
20. They didn´t allow us smoke in their house.
21. My parents always encouraged me study hard at school.
22. I remember lock the door.
23. Please remember lock the door when you leave.
24. I now regret say what I said.
25. We regret inform you that we cannot meet your request.
26. It started rain.
27. Don’t bother switch off the TV.
28. I tried move the table but it was too heavy.
29. Try change the batteries and then press the green button.
30. I need go away for a while.
31. You don´t need iron the shirt. I doesn´t need iron.
32. Can you help me get the dinner ready?
33. I couldn´t help laugh.
34. She can´t bear be alone.