2 The Infinitive I -ing form / Participles Put the verbs in brackets into the infinitive or -ing form. Scotland was the perfect place 1) ...to grow up... (grow up). My parents had spent years 2)................. ........... (save up) because they wanted 3).......................... (buy) a small farmhouse in the Scottish Highlands. Shortly after I was born their dream came true and our new life in the country began. To begin with, I was probably too young 4)............................ (appreciate) the fresh air and breathtaking views, but as I grew up I began 5)....................... (enjoy) exploring the unspoilt countryside. I soon got used to 6)................. (have) to walk miles to the shops, and since it was too far 7)......................... (travel) to the nearest primary school, my parents did their best 8)................ (educate) me at home. However, I never felt lonely and was usually too busy 9)................................. (help) my father on the land to worry about 10) ................................. (not/have) any friends. My brothers and sisters were also starting 11)............................ (grow up) fast and we had no difficulty 12)........................... (amuse) ourselves for hours on end. When I reached the age of eleven, my parents decided it was time 13)....................................... (send) me to secondary school as they didn't feel they were capable of 14)............................(provide) me with the range of skills I would need for my future life. This would involve 15)...............................(travel) twenty miles to the nearest town and twenty miles back. I was sorry 16)...............................(say) goodbye to my old way of life, but at the same time I looked forward 17)............................ (mix) with new people. After 18)............................ (finish) school I was forced 19)............................ (move) to Edinburgh to look for work and I have now made the city my home. Although I love the cosmopolitan lifestyle, I sometimes can't help 20)......................(wish) I was back in the Highlands. In Other Words • It is exciting to watch a football match. Watching a football match is exciting. • It's too cold for him to go swimming. It isn't warm enough for him to go swimming. It is so cold that he can't go swimming. • They made her tell the truth. She was made to tell the truth. • I prefer walking to riding a bike. I prefer to walk rather than ride a bike. • Could you open the door? Would you mind opening the door? • We were bored by the film. We found the film boring. The film bored us. • He had difficulty (in) hearing the music. It was difficult for him to hear the music. He found it difficult to hear the music. He could hardly hear the music. • They allowed him to attend the meeting. He was allowed to attend the meeting. • It took her an hour to reach the station. She took an hour to reach the station. Reaching the station took her an hour. Complete the sentences using the words in bold. Use two to five words. 1 He arrived too late to catch the 9.30 train. arrive He ...didn't arrive early enough... to catch the 9.30 train. 2 Preparing the meal took her three hours. prepare She.......................................................................................................................the meal. 21 4 2 The Infinitive / -ing form / Participles 3 These trousers are too small for me. enough These trousers ........................................................................................................for me. 4 Politicians found the results of the local election surprising. were Politicians...........................................................................................of the local election. 5 Could you pass me the cheese, please? mind Would..............................................................................................................the cheese? 6 They made her pay £2,000 tax. to She....................................................................................................................£2,000 tax. 7 She was allowed to stay at her friend's house. her They .................................................................................................at her friend's house. 8 He wasn't tall enough to become a policeman. short He ..................................................................................................................a policeman. 9 He had difficulty seeing in the dark room. hardly He ...........................................................................................................in the dark room. 10 It took her six months to learn how to drive. took She.................................................................................................................how to drive. 11 I prefer going out to staying at home. than I prefer to..............................................................................................................at home. 12 Would you mind keeping quiet while she's talking? keep Could ............................................................................................................she's talking? 13 The runner could hardly keep up with the others. had The runner............................................................................................up with the others. 14 I think it's interesting to visit other countries. visiting I think ................................................................................................................interesting. 15 She prefers taking the train to travelling by coach. take She prefers.......................................................................................than travel by coach. 16 Could you run through the details once more? mind Would ............................................................................................the details once more? 17 They took ages to reach a decision. them It ........................................................................................................................a decision. 18 The police let the suspect make one phone call. was The suspect...............................................................................................one phone call. 19 The tourists found the carnival fascinating. were The tourists .....................................................................................................the carnival. 20 It was difficult for the jury to reach a verdict. difficulty The jury................................................................................................................a verdict. 21 The 17-year-olds weren't old enough to get into the club. too The 17-year-olds ...........................................................................................into the club. 22 She prefers speaking Frencn to writing it. than She prefers..............................................................................................................write it. 23 Learning about other cultures is important. learn It ........................................................................................................about other cultures. 24 They made him work overtime. was He ........................................................................................................................overtime. 25 During the rush hour it takes me over an hour to get to work. getting During the rush hour....................................................................................over an hour. 26 The instructions were so complicated that I couldn't follow them. too The instructions were...............................................................................................follow. 27 It was difficult for me to hear what he was saying. hardly I ..........................................................................................................what he was saying. 28 Could you keep the noise down? mind Would.......................................................................................................the noise down? 29 They made the passengers wait at the airport for hours. were The passengers............................................................................at the airport for hours. 30 I have difficulty in understanding his accent. find I .........................................................................................................................his accent. ► 22