USE OF ENGLISH – 2ND BACHILLERATO

Gerunds and infinitives

Verbs followed by a gerund (-ing)
We use a gerund (verb + /-ing/) in the following situations:
1. As the subject of a clause Example: Cycling is good for your health.
2. After a preposition Example: I did my homework before going out.
Consequently, after phrasal or prepositional verbs such as:
Example: I’m looking forward to seeing you.
accuse of blame for dream about/of object to
agree with care for feel like think of
apologize for carry on forgive for succeed in
ask about complain about give up use for
believe in concentrate on insist on look forward to
be used to depend on keep on

3. After the following verbs Example: I enjoy cooking.

admit deny mind feel like
advise dislike miss be/get used to
allow enjoy permit don’t mind
avoid fancy practise it is no use
can't help finish suggest look forward to
can't stand keep waste

Verbs followed by an infinitive (with to)

1. After an adjective (be+adj+to+inf.) Example: The new computer is really easy to use.
2. After a noun (noun+to+inf.) Example: It was a good decision to move to Paris.
3. With too + adjective/adverb + inf. Example: The box is too heavy to carry.
4. With adjective/adverb + enough + inf. Example: She is not tall enough to reach it.
5. After certain verbs (with to) Example: He refused to pay the bill.
afford expect manage refuse
agree fail mean want
appear help (also without offer wish
arrange to) plan would like to
beg hesitate prepare would love to
choose hope pretend would prefer to
decide learn promise

6. Let/Make are followed by an infinitive form without ‘to’.

Example: I let you go to the party. / I make her study the whole lesson.

Verbs followed either by an infinitive (with to) or gerund (-ing)

1. With the same meaning and use Example: I started to read. / I started reading.
attempt cannot bear hate prefer
begin cease intend start
bother continue love

2. With the same meaning but different use

Verb Infinitive – with an object Gerund – without an object

advise I advise you to go by bus. I advise going by bus.

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 USE OF ENGLISH – 2ND BACHILLERATO

allow/permit He allowed her to take the car. He allowed taking the car.
forbid She forbids us to smoke She forbids smoking.

3. With different meaning

Verb Infinitive Gerund

Remember With regard to the future
Remember to turn off the lights.
(¡Recuerda apagar las luces, por favor!)
Forget With regard to the future
Don’t forget to tell him the idea!
(¡No te olvides de contarle la idea!)
Regret With regard to the future / bad news
I regret to say that’s wrong.
(Lamento decir que está mal)
Stop Interrupt another action
I stopped to take a break.
(Paré para tomarme un descanso)
Try Do something complex (make an effort)
They try to solve this riddle.
(Ellos intentaron resolver este acertijo)
Go on Start something new
Go on to read that book.
(Ve a leer ese libro)
With regard to the past
Do you remember turning off the lights?
(¿Recuerdas haber apagado las luces?)
With regard to the past
I forgot telling him the idea.
(Me olvidé de contarle la idea.)
With regard to the past
I regret saying that’s wrong.
(Lamento haber dicho que está mal)
Leave a habit
I stopped smoking.
(Dejé de fumar)
Do it to see what happens (an attempt)
Try talking to him about the issue.
(Prueba a hablar con él sobre el tema)
Continue with the same action.
Go on reading it.
(Continua leyéndelo.)

Practice
Put the verb into the gerund or the infinitive with ‘to’(verbs with different meaning):
1. I couldn’t sleep so I tried _____________ (drink) some hot milk.
2. She tried _____________ (reach) the book on the high shelf, but she was too small.
3. They tried _____________ (get) to the party on time but the bus was delayed.
4. We tried _____________ (open) the window, but it was so hot outside it didn’t help.
5. He tried _____________ (get) a job in a newspaper firm but they wouldn’t hire him.
6. He tried _____________ (get) a job in a newspaper firm but he still wasn’t satisfied.
7. You should stop _____________ (smoke), it’s not good for your health.
8. We stopped _____________ (study) because we were tired.
9. They will stop _____________ (have) lunch at twelve.
10. We stopped _____________ (have) a rest, because we were really sleepy.
11. Oh no! I forgot _____________ (buy) milk.
12. Please don’t forget _____________ (pick) up some juice on your way home.
13. I forget _____________ (lock) the door, but I’m sure I must have locked it.
14. Have we studied this before? I’ve forgotten _____________ (learn) it.
15. Please remember _____________ (bring) your homework.
16. I remember _____________ (go) to the beach as a child.
17. Finally I remembered _____________ (bring) your book! Here it is.

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18. Do you remember _____________ (eat) steak in that little restaurant in Rome?
19. I regret _____________ (tell) you that the train has been delayed.
20. I regret _____________ (tell) Julie my secret; now she has told everyone.

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate form of the verb in brackets.
1. A lot of people are worried about _______________ their jobs. (lose)
2. He agreed _______________ a new car. (buy)
3. The question is easy _______________ (answer)
4. Not everybody can afford _______________ to university. (go)
5. I look forward to _______________ you at the weekend. (see)
6. We decided _______________ a new car. (buy)
7. I regret _______________ you we won’t lend you the money. (tell)
8. Peter gave up _______________. (smoke)
9. He'd like _______________ an aeroplane. (fly)
10. I enjoy _______________ picture postcards. (write)
11. He offered _______________ help with the cleaning. (help)
12. Are you thinking of _______________ London? (visit)
13. He apologized for _______________ so late. (arrive)
14. Stop _______________ noise, please; I’m studying. (make)
15. She doesn't mind _______________ the night shift. (work)
16. I learned _______________ the bike at the age of 5. (ride)
17. Avoid _______________ silly mistakes. (make)
18. My parents wanted me _______________ home at 11 o'clock. (be)
19. I dream about _______________ a big house. (build)
20. He advised me _______________ so much money. (not spend)

Use the verbs in brackets to fill the gaps.

1. We arranged _____________ under the station clock at half nine. (meet)
2. I always try to avoid _____________ him whenever I can. (see)
3. I long _____________ in Scotland again. (be)
4. My Mum demanded _____________ the manager. (see)
5. My brother denied _____________ my chocolate mousse. Maybe his hamster ate it. (eat)
6. I tried _____________ but I just couldn't. (understand)
7. In the end I gave up _____________ to persuade her. (try)
8. Charlie was pretending _____________ a chicken. (be)
9. They chose _____________ in a cheap hotel but spend more money on meals. (stay)
10. We like Galicia so much that we keep _____________ back there. (go)
11. He deserves _____________ severely punished. (be)
12. When we visit my aunt, they expect me _____________ on my best behaviour. (be)
13. I didn't mean _____________ her feelings. I'm really sorry. (hurt)
14. I always put off _____________ my homework until the last possible moment. (do)
15. He goes on _____________ me the same thing over and over again. (tell)
16. I can't stand _____________ in the queue at the baker's. (wait)

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17. The firemen managed _____________ the fire pretty quickly. (put out)
18. I never risk _____________ through that part of town. (go)
19. Clare offered _____________ me to the airport, which was very kind of her. (take)
20. Dad threatened _____________ my pocket money if I didn't do my homework. (stop)