GERUNDS x INFINITIVES THE ING FORM Look at the following examples: 1. You should avoid giving any unnecessary information. 2. The English course is really worth attending. 3. After shortlisting candidates, she invited them for an interview. -ing forms are used Ø after certain verbs (1) admit, appreciate, consider, delay, deny, discuss, face, imagine, involve, mention, mind, miss, postpone, practice, recommend, report, risk, suggest… Ø after certain expressions (2) no good, no use, no point, be waste of time, can´t help/ bear /stand/ face/ help/resist, be worth… Ø after the following time conjunctions (3) before, after, when, while, on, since More examples: * I adore reading your books. * They anticipated winning the election. * I detest going to discos. * We postponed making any decision in the meeting. * I quit smoking. * Do you recall seeing someone like that? EXPRESSIONS WITH THE ING FORM It’s no use apologising to Sheila. She’s too stubborn. It’s no good talking to Pete. He’s in a bad mood now. I suggest going out tonight. Nadia wants to give up smoking. Leonard cannot imagine working on the project with Roger. Ian spends his time reading books on politics. Paula doesn’t mind earning less money as long as she loves what she does. Sam is very good at gardening. Helen prefers writing to speaking French. THE INFINITIVE Look at the following examples: 1. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need any help. 2. Could you remind me to post this letter? 3. I can’t decide what to do next. infinitive forms are used Ø after certain verbs (1) afford, arrange, fail, forget, guarantee, intend, prepare, pretend, promise, prove, tend, train, threaten, undertake, volunteer, wish… Ø after the object of certain verbs (2) advise, allow, ask, cause, enable, encourage, expect, forbid, invite, order, permit, persuade, recommend, remind, teach, tell, train, urge, want, warn… Ø after certain verbs and a question word (3) know/wonder what, discuss/explain how much, consider/find out when… More examples: * I can't afford to go to the pub. * He agreed to practise more. * You should learn to express yourself. * They managed to fix the problem. Verbs followed by both –ing or to infinitive forms Ø with a difference in meaning (1) forget, remember, regret, go on, mean, try, need Ø with no or little difference in meaning (2) attempt (to do something, an attempt at doing something), begin, continue, deserve, fear, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, start I deserve to be promoted. X Several other points deserve mentioning. REMEMBER + FORGET Ing form I remember playing dodgeball when I was a small child. (referring to the past experiences) Dean will never forget kissing Ruth for the first time. (referring to the past experiences) Infinitive Remember to/Don’t forget to lock door before you leave. (referring forward in time) REGRET Ing form Hank regrets lying to her. He should not have done that. (referring back to the past mistakes) InfinitiveWe regret to annouce that the train is delayed due to leaves on the train line. (announcing bad news) STOP Ing form I have stopped smoking. (I have given up smoking) Infinitive I stopped to smoke. (I stopped so that I could light a cigarette) MEAN Ing form If you want to apply for this job, it will mean sending a CV. (it involves sending a CV) Infinitive I didn’t mean to upset you by my remark. (I didn’t want to upset you) More examples and explanations (taken from the presentation): 1a. I forgot to switch off the computer. 1b. I forgot switching off the computer. 1a. I wanted to switch off the computer, but I did not do it. 1b. I switched off the computer, but I did not remember that I had done it. 2a. I’d just started writing a letter when the phone rang. 2b. I’d just started to write a letter when the phone rang. no difference in meaning 1a. I remembered to cancel the appointment. 1b. I remembered writing down their address. 1a. I remembered something this morning, and then I did it. 1b. I wrote their address down, and later I remembered that I had done. 2a. I’m trying to run this computer program. 2b. I have tried clicking on the box, but it doesn’t work. 2a. I’m making an effort to run this computer program, which I find difficult. 2b. I’have done an experiment to solve a problem. 3a. We regret to inform you that you haven’t been shortlisted. 3b. I regret not applying for the job. 3a. We feel sorry about saying that you haven’t been shortlisted. 3b. I wish I had applied for the job or I should have applied for the job. 1a. I mean to leave the meeting with a new contract signed. 1b. My new job will mean travelling all over the world. 1a. I intend to leave the meeting with a new contract. 1b. My new job will involve travelling all over the world. 2a. He welcomed the members of the committee and went on to introduce Mr Parker. 2b. He went on studying law despite failing the first year exams. 2a. After welcoming them, he introduced Mr Parker. 2b. He continued his studies of law despite difficulties.