LONGMAN ENGLISH GRAMMAR PRACTICE

16.8 The to-infinitive or the '-ing' form?

16.6

16.6A

Study:

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Verb + the '-ing' form

'I deny taking it' [> 16.41 -44]

1 Some verbs are followed only by the -ing form, not by a fo-infinitive: e.g.

admit, appreciate, avoid, consider, delay, deny, detest, dislike, enjoy, explain, fancy, feel like,

finish, forgive, can't help, imagine, it involves, keep, mention, mind, miss, pardon, postpone,

practise, prevent, recall, resent, resist, risk, stop [> 16.8C] suggest, understand.

verb + present '-ing' form verb + perfect/past '-ing' form

active: I deny/denied taking it. I deny/denied having taken it.

passive: He resents/resented being accused. He resents/resented having been accused.

2 After the verbs come and go, we often use the -ing form relating to outdoor activies: e.g.

climbing, driving, fishing, riding, sailing, shopping, skiing, walking, water-skiing:

Why don't you come sailing with us? Let's go sailing! (Not *to sail/for sail(ing)*]

3 The -ing form can follow need and want.

He needs encouraging. It wants mending.

Write: Supply any suitable verb in a suitable form.

1 Our neighbours are very considerate. They avoid a lot of noise.

2 Just imagine in a country where it is always warm and sunny!

3 The police questioned me at some length and I didn't enjoy

4 What does the job involve? - It involves the engine apart.

5 I missed an interesting programme on TV last night. I really mind it.

6 We often go during the weekend. Would you like to come with us?

7 Look at the state of those windows! They really need!

8 Our front gate is falling to pieces. It really wants

16.6B

Study:

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Write:

'Start him working' [>LEG 16.41-44]

1 These verbs are followed by -ing [but compare > 16.2A]: hear, keep, smell, start, stop, watch:

When are you going to start working?

But if we want to refer to someone else, we use a direct object after the verb:

When are you going to start him (John, etc.) working?

2 These verbs always have a direct object: catch, find, leave, notice, observe, perceive, see:

I'd better not catch you doing that again!

Match A and B.

A

1 It's difficult to keep them

2 I think that's enough to start her

3 I could smell smoke

4 The police caught him

5 The searchers found the boy

6 They left us

7 Will you please stop

8 I can hear someone

В

a) sheltering in the barn.

b) coming from the forest.

c) worrying again.

d) opening the safe.

e) thinking about the problem.

f) working all the time.

g) shouting in the distance.

h) changing TV channels.