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Active Grammar 3-114

This document discusses the different patterns that verbs can take with infinitives and -ing forms, and how these patterns impact meaning. Specifically, it covers: 1. Some verbs like forget, go on, and regret have different meanings depending on whether they are followed by an infinitive or -ing form. 2. Verbs like begin, start, like, and love can take either pattern with the same meaning. 3. Verbs describing senses like see, hear, watch, listen to, and notice can take an infinitive without to for complete events or an -ing form for unfinished processes.

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92 views1 page

Active Grammar 3-114

This document discusses the different patterns that verbs can take with infinitives and -ing forms, and how these patterns impact meaning. Specifically, it covers: 1. Some verbs like forget, go on, and regret have different meanings depending on whether they are followed by an infinitive or -ing form. 2. Verbs like begin, start, like, and love can take either pattern with the same meaning. 3. Verbs describing senses like see, hear, watch, listen to, and notice can take an infinitive without to for complete events or an -ing form for unfinished processes.

Uploaded by

Andrew
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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3 Some verbs have two patterns with different meanings, In fin itiv e s and -ing fo rm s a f t e r nouns

usually a forward-looking meaning and a backward­ 7 Many nouns can be followed by to-infinitives, especially
looking meaning. These include forget, go on, regret, nouns which have a forward-looking meaning.
remember and stop. Your idea to go to the museum was really good.
I remembered to pack warm clothes. (= I remembered I don't regret my decision to go.
that I should pack.)
► See Unit 36 for more information on -ing forms after nouns
I remembered packing warm clothes. (= I remembered
(shortened relative clauses).
that I'd packed.)
-ing fo rm s a ft e r p rep o sitio n s
Try + to-infinitive means‘attempt’. Try + -ing means 8 We use the -ing form o f verbs after prepositions.
‘do as an experiment’. Aren't you worried about getting ill?
Try to get an idea o f what to expect.
Try spending a week in a really cold place. In the structures be / get used to and look forward
to, to is a preposition.I1
4 Some verbs have two patterns but the meaning is the It was difficult to get used to being so cold.
same, e.g. begin, sta rt, like and love. N O T ... to get used to b e ...
I like to get up early and watch the sun rise. OR / like I'm not looking forward to going home again.
getting up early and watching...5 6 N O T ... looking forward to g o ...

W ith begin and start, we usually use a to-infinitive


In fin itiv e s and -ing fo rm s as sub ject o f a sentence
after starting or beginning, and an -ing form after
to sta rt or to finish. 9 We do not normally use to-infinitives as the subject o f
a sentence; we usually use an -ing form or dummy it
I'm starting to get used to the cold.
instead.
NOT I'm starting getting used...
Coming to Antarctica was always my dream. OR It was
always my dream to come to ...
5 A few verbs can be followed by an infinitive without to,
► See Unit 15 for more information on dummy it.
e.g. make, let, have and help. ► See Unit 17 for more information on -ing forms (gerunds).
What made you decide to come?
The scientists le t me sta y with them. In fin itiv e s and -ing fo rm s a s a se p a ra te p a rt o f a
I'll have my assistant send you a form. (= I’ll arrange this.) sentence
The verb make in the passive takes to. 10 We use a to-infinitive to explain the purpose of
I was made to fill in lots o f forms. something.
NOT I was made fill in ... I came to Antarctica to paint.
The verb help is possible with or without to. We can use a to-infinitive after pronouns such as
I'll help you pack. OR I'll help you to pack. something and nothing, quantifiers like little and
much, and some nouns, to show that something must /
6 Verbs describing senses, e.g. see, hear, watch, listen to can / can’t be done.
and notice, can be followed by an infinitive without to There isn’t much (work) to do.
when they describe complete events and by an -ing form I don't have (enough) time to watch TV.
when they describe an unfinished process.
I watch the sun rise, (from start to finish) 11 The following useful phrases use infinitives and -ing
As I was driving along the road, I saw M ike washing his forms o f the verb:
car. (a process with no finish) not to mention
to be honest
to cut a long story short
to tell the truth
frankly speaking
considering
► See Unit 22 for verb patterns after adjectives.

Infinitives and -ing forms 113

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