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 … ➜ Units 54–55 Other verbs + -ing or to … ➜ Units 57–58
 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 driving very much. (drive)
3 I can’t afford to go away. I don’t have enough money. (go)
4 Have you ever considered going to live in another country? (go)
5 We were unlucky to lose the game. We played well and deserved to win . (win)
asking
6 Why do you keep me questions? Leave me alone! (ask)
asking
7 Please stop me questions! (ask)
to answer
8 I refuse any more questions. (answer)
9 The driver of one of the cars admitted causing the accident. (cause)
to do
10 Mark needed our help, and we promised what we could. (do)
11 I don’t mind being alone, but I’d rather be with other people. (be)
12 The wall was quite high, but I managed to climb over it. (climb)
13 Sarah doesn’t know about the meeting. I forgot to tell her. (tell)
14 I’ve enjoyed talking to you. I hope to see 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 remember criyng on his first day at school.
3 Once he fell into the river. He remembers this.
He remembers falling in the river .
4 He said he wanted to be a doctor. He doesn’t remember this.
He doesn't remember wanting to be a doctor.
5 Once he was bitten by a dog. He doesn’t remember this.
He doesn't remember being bitten by a dog.
6 His sister was born when he was four. He remembers this.
He remembers his sister being born when he was four .

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 meeting him.
c Someone must have taken my bag. I clearly remember putting it by the
window and now it isn’t there.
d When you see Steve, remember to say 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 lenting you any money.
f a: Did you remember to call 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 doing it.
b I knew they were in trouble, but I regret to say I did nothing to help them.
c It started to get cold, and he regretted not having his coat.
d I now regret leaving my job. It was a big mistake.
3 a Ben joined the company nine years ago. He became assistant manager after two
being
years, and a few years later he went on manager of the company.
b I can’t go on working 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 reading her book.
increasing
d Food prices have gone up again. How are we going to manage if prices go on ?

➜ Additional exercises 26–28 (pages 317–19) 113