Verbs taking to-infinitive or gerund with a change in meaning

1. forget + to-inf. (= fail to remember to do something) He forgot to take his exercise-book.

forget + V-ing (= not recall a past event) I’ll never forget seeing this accident.

2. remember + to-inf. (= not forget to do something) Please, remember to answer the email.

r emember + V-ing (= recall the past action) I don’t remember seeing this man before.

3. regret + to-inf. (= be sorry to – it is normally used in the present simple and is followed by verbs such as say, tell, inform) We regret to inform you that you have failed.

regret + V-ing (=feel sorry about a past action) I regret accepting his invitation.

4. go on + to-inf. (= then, afterwards; finish doing something and start doing something else) She introduced herself and went on to talk about her book.

go on + V-ing (= continue) He went on speculating on the Stock Exchange.

5. mean + to –inf. (= intend to) He means to study psychology.

mean + V-ing (= involve) She is determined to go to the concert even if it means paying a lot of money.

6. would prefer + to-inf. (specific preference) I’d prefer to walk.

prefer + V-ing (general preference) I prefer reading detective stories.

prefer + to-inf. + rather than + bare inf. I prefer to drive to work rather than take the bus.

7. like + to-inf. (= think that something is good or right to do) I like to pay my bills as soon as I get them.

like + V-ing (= enjoy – general preference) I like meeting people.

would like + to-inf. (= want - specific preference) I would like to think over your offer before accepting it.

8. try + to-inf. (= do one’s best; attempt) We tried to discuss all the issues of the day.

try + V-ing (do something as an experiment) If you can’t find a job, try placing an announcement in the newspaper.

9. want + to-inf. (= wish) I want to curtail my losses.

want + V-ing. (= something need to be done). The problem wants discussing.

10. stop + to-inf. (= pause temporally to do something else) We stopped to exchange our opinions on the matter.

stop + V-ing (= finish, cease) We stopped studying and switched on the TV.

11. be sorry + to-inf. (= regret) I was sorry to hear he failed the exam.

be sorry for + V-ing (= apologize for) She was sorry for yielding at him.

12. hate + to-inf. (= not like about one is about to do) I hate to argue but you are definitely wrong.

hate + V-ing (= feel sorry what one is doing) I hate bothering you at such a late hour.

13. be afraid + to-inf. (= hesitate to do something; be too frighten to do something) He was afraid to say a word.

be afraid of + V-ing (= the subject is afraid that what is described by the -ing form may happen) She doesn’t want to drive her father’s car. She’s afraid of crashing it.

1. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.

1. Jane and Mark went on ………. (argue) over the details for another two hours. 2. He told his name and went on ……… (introduce) us to his guests. 3. We didn’t mean ……… (interrupt) you. 4. Being a nurse means ……. (work) long hours. 5. She tried …….. (finish) writing her report though it was difficult. 6. Just try …. (eat) more fruit. It’s good for your health. 7. He regrets ….. (argue) with his colleagues. 8. We regret …… (inform) you that the meeting will be cancelled. 9. Oh, no! I forgot …… (lock) the front door. 10. I’ll never forget …… (win) my first game. 11. She likes …… (read) science fiction. She says it’s very exciting. 12. I like …… (go) to the dentist every six months. 13. I must remember …… (post) these letters today. 14. I remember …… (read) the book but I don’t remember who wrote it. 15. I am sorry for ……. (forget) to phone you. 16. I’m sorry ….. (tell) you that you have failed your exam. 17. She is afraid …… (take) this job. She is afraid, she won’t manage it. 18. She never wears her diamonds. She is afraid of ……….. (rob). 19. I have stopped ……. (watch) horror films because they give me nightmares. 20. We stopped …….. (buy) some food before continuing our journey.

2. Fill in the correct form of the infinitive or gerund.

1. I advise you ………. (take) some money in case the banks are shut. 2. My mother used ……. (encourage) me to study history. 3. Do you remember ……. (meet) a friend of yours. 4. When you finish ……. (look) through the journals, go on ……. (study) the documents. 5. Would you mind …….. (put off) this matter till next week. 6. Why don’t we try ……. (carry out) new methods of investigation? 7. Don’t forget ….. (lock) the door before you leave the office. 8. We stopped …. (read) the documents….. (have) a rest. 9. He put off ….. (tell) her bad news. 10. I really regret ….. (inform) you that they complained about your bad behaviour. 11. I suggest …. (look) this word up in the dictionary. 12. David was too afraid …… (act) as a chief. 13. He doesn’t look old enough …. (be) responsible for his actions. 14. I couldn’t stop …… (wonder) whether I had taken the right steps. 15. In general I prefer ….. (deal) with all the problems on my own. 16. I’m sorry I didn’t mean ………. (hurt) you. 17. I hate…. (be) late again. 18. I need to get a job. I’m tired of ……… (have) to rely on parents for money. 19. Have you considered ……… (move) to another city. 20. I can’t stand ……….. (listen) to you complaining all the time.

3. Choose the correct answer.

1. I don’t advise … in the office.

a) smoking; b) to smoke; c) smoke; d) to have smoke

2. Paul noticed a woman … at him while he was waiting at the station.

a) to stare; b) staring; c) has stared; d) stares

3. My father objects … my mother with the housework.

a) to help; b) help; c) have helped; d) to helping

4. He is said … to the police during his interrogation.

a) to lie; b) lying; c) to have lied; d) lied

5. I really can’t risk the children … these awful programmes.

a) seeing; b) to see; c) see; d) to have seen

6. I prefer eating out … cooking at home.

a) than; b) from; c) to; d) of

7. … seem to be a lot of people here.

a) They; b) There; c) It; d) These

8. Do you fancy … a pizza tonight?

a) to order; b) have ordered; c) ordering; d) order

9. Don’t forget to congratulate Robin …. passing her driving test.

a) from; b) with; c) on; d) about

10. Jane may … already.

a) have left; b) has left; c) left; d) leave

11. Lara is incapable (1) … lying and she has no reason (2) … not telling the truth.

a) of; b) in; c) for; d) at

12. He must … the police about the robbery at once when he saw it.

a) informed; b) have informed; c) inform; d) has informed

13. Is it worth … so much money on space travel?

a) have spent; b) to spend; c) spend; d) spending

14. I saw her 1) … the corner and 2) ….

(1) a) turned; b) turns; c) turn; d) turning

(2) a) disappear; b) disappearing; c) disappeared; d) disappears.

15. They have postponed … house till next week.

a) to move; b) move; c) moving; d) will move

16. The accident is supposed … by reckless driving.

a) to have caused; b) to have been caused; c) having been caused; d) to cause

17. She was made … the truth.

a) tell; b) telling; c) to tell; d) have hold

18. He complained to me … my never paying attention to details.

a) with; b) on; c) about; d) over

19. She is believed … drugs for a long time.

a) was taking; b) to be taking; c) taking; d) to have been taking

20. I can’t hear the speaker … the result of voting.

a) to announce; b) announcing; c) announce; d) announced

21. How do you know the man stole the watch? – I saw him … it in the pocket and leave the shop without paying.

a) put; b) putting; c) puts; d) to put;

22. He … to meet her yesterday.

a) happen; b) to happen; c) happened; d) was happened

23. He … to be a brilliant lawyer.

a) expects; b) expected; c) is expecting; d) is expected

24. The contract is reported … last week.

a) to sign; b) to be signed; c) to have been signed; d) to have been signing;

25. I’m looking forward … in June

a) to meet her; b) to meeting her; c) meeting her; d) to have met her;

26. The arrested man was suspected … into a house.

a) of breaking; b) in breaking; c) break; d) to break

27. After a long time we eventually succeeded …. the crime.

a) of prevent; b) in preventing; c) to prevent; d) preventing

28. He was the first runner... the marathon.

a) finish; b) to finish; c) finishing; d) on finishing

29. I quite fancy... out for a Chinese meal tonight.

a) to go; b) to going; c) going; d) go

30. He admitted.... in court.

a) lie; b) to lying; c) to lie; d) have lied.

31 You... better go to your doctor. a) had; b) would; c) should; d) have

32. I suggest... his suggestion tomorrow.

a) considering; b) to consider; c) consider; d) to be considering

33. I would rather... a novel than read a biography.

a) to read; b) having read; c) read; d) reading

34.We rushed to the station only... after the train had left.

a) to arrive; b) to arriving; c) arriving; d) arrive

35. What made you... this offence?

a) to commit; b) to committing; c) committing; d) commit

Дата добавления: 2015-08-18