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Unit 56. Verb + -ing or to ... 1 (remember / regret etc.)

Unit 56; Part A

galka.jpgSome verbs are followed by -ing and some are followed by to ... .

Verbs usually followed by -ing:                   
Verbs usually followed by to ... :
admit
avoid
consider
deny
enjoy
fancy
finish
imagine
keep(on)
mind
postpone
risk
stop
suggest

afford
agree
arrange
decide
deserve
fail
forget
hope
learn
manage
offer
plan
promise
refuse
threaten
For examples, see Unit 53.
For examples, see Unit 54.

Unit 56; Part B

galka.jpgSome verbs can be followed by -ing or to ... with a difference of meaning:
56.6.jpg

Unit 56; Part C

galka.jpgThe following verbs can be followed by -ing or to ... :
begin        start       continue       intend        bother

So you can say:

•     It has started raining.    or    It has started to rain.
•     John intends buying a house.  
  or   John intends to buy ...
•     Don't bother locking the door.  
  or    Don't bother to lock ...

But normally we do not use -ing after -ing:

•     It's starting to rain.  (not It's starting raining)



Exercises

flag.jpgPut the verb into the correct form, -ing or to ... . Sometimes either form is possible.
Key.2    driving
3    to go
4    to go
5    raining
6    to win
7    asking
8    asking
9    to answer
10  breaking
11  to pay
12  losing    or    to lose
13  to tell
14  crying    or    to cry
15  to get
16  meeting ... to see


1    They denied    stealing    the money.  (steal)
2    I don't enjoy ____________ very much.  (drive)
3    I don't want ____________ out tonight. I'm too tired.  (go)
4    I can't afford ____________ out tonight. I don't have enough money.  (go)
5    Has it stopped    yet?  (rain)
6    Our team was unlucky to lose the game. We deserved ____________. (win)
7    Why do you keep ____________ me questions? Can't you leave me alone?  (ask)
8    Please stop ____________ me questions!  (ask)
9    I refuse ____________ any more questions.  (answer)
10  One of the boys admitted ____________ the window.  (break)
11  The boy's father promised ____________ for the window to be repaired.  (pay)
12  If the company continues ____________ money, the factory may be closed.  (lose)
13  'Does Sarah know about the meeting?'    'No, I forgot ____________ her.'  (tell)
14  The baby began ____________ in the middle of the night.  (cry)
15  Julia has been ill. but now she's beginning ____________ better.  (get)
16  I've enjoyed ____________ you. I hope ____________ you again soon.  (meet, see)
flag.jpgHere is some information about Tom when he was a child.
Key.2   He can remember going to Paris when he was eight.
3   He can't remember crying on his first day at school.
4   He can remember falling into the river.
5   He can't remember saying he wanted to be a doctor.    or He can't remember wanting to be a doctor.
6   He can't remember being bitten by a dog.
1    He was in hospital when he was four.   
2    He went to Paris when he was eight.   
3    He cried on his first day at school.    
4   Once he fell into the river.
5   He said he wanted to be a doctor.
6   Once he was bitten by a dog.

He can still remember 1, 2 and 4. But he can't remember 3, 5 and 6. Write sentences beginning He can remember ... or He can't remember ... .

1       He can remember being in hospital when he was four.       
2      ______________________________________________________ 
3      ______________________________________________________ 
4      ______________________________________________________ 
5      ______________________________________________________ 
6      ______________________________________________________ 
flag.jpgComplete each sentence with a verb in the correct form, -ing or to ... .
Key.1 b    lending
   с    to phone / to call
  d    to give
  e    leaving/putting
2 a   saying
   b   to say
3 a   to become
   b   working
   с    reading


1    a   Please remember    to lock    tne door when you go out.
     b   A: You lent me some money a few months ago.
          B: Did I? Are you sure? I don't remember ______________ you any money.
      с    A: Did you remember ______________ your sister?
           B: Oh no. I completely forgot. I'll phone her tomorrow.
      d   When you see Steve, remember ______________ him my regards.
     e   Someone must have taken my bag. I clearly remember ______________ it by the window and now it has gone.
2    a   I believe that what I said was fair. I don't regret ______________ it.
     b   I knew they were in trouble, but I regret ______________ I did nothing to help them.
3   a   Ben joined the company nine years ago. He became assistant managerafter two years, and a few years later he went on ______________manager of the company.
     b   I can't go on ______________ here any more. I want a different job.
     с   When I came into the room, Liz was reading a newspaper. She looked upand said hello, and then went on ______________ her newspaper.


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