LONGMAN ENGLISH GRAMMAR PRACTICE

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

16.8

16.8A

Study:

Write:

16.8B

Study:

Write:

The fo-infinitive or the '-ing' form?

Verb + fo-infinitive or '-ing': no change in meaning:

'begin to read/reading' [> LEG 16.57]

1 We can use a fo-infinitive or the -ing form without a change in meaning after:

attempt, begin, can't bear, cease, commence, continue, intend, omit, start [> 16.6B]:

I can't bear to see/seeing people suffering.

2 We do not use the -ing form after the progressive forms of begin, cease, continue, start.

I'm beginning to realize how difficult this is. (Not *I'm beginning realizing*)

3 Stative verbs like know and understand cannot be used with an -ing form after begin, cease,

continue: I began to understand the problem. (Not *began understanding*)

Supply the correct forms. Give two forms where both are possible.

1 You must begin ...^..ШТ^./.ШШ^..... harder, (work)

2 I was beginning I was wrong, (think)

3 She continued all through the film, (talk)

4 I had just started when the waiter took my plate away! (eat)

5 We intended to the concert, but we were both ill. (go)

6 I'm intending him tomorrow, (see)

7 The conductor raised his baton and the orchestra commenced (play)

8 You omitted me about it. (tell)

9 I'll never begin how he thinks, (understand)

Verb + to- or '-ing': some changes in meaning: 'I love to read/reading'

[LEG > 16.58]

We can use to or -ing after: dread, hate, like, love and prefer. Sometimes there is a difference in

meaning and sometimes there isn't. Generally, the -ing form refers to a situation 'in general' and

the fo-infinitive refers to a future event:

1a I love/like watching TV. 1b I love/like to watch TV. (same meaning)

2a I hate disturbing you. (in general) 2b I hate to disturb you. (but I'm going to)

За I dread visiting the dentist, (in general)

3b I dread to think about what has happened, (so I try not to) (Not */ dread thinking*)

4a I prefer walking to cycling, (in general) 4b I prefer to wait here, (now)

5a I'd love sailing if I could afford it. (in general)

5b I'd love to sail if I could afford it. (at some time in the future)

Supply the correct forms. Give two forms where both are possible.

1 I love .ШШШХ^/.М.Ш^ОН/.. old films, (watch)

2 I hate for buses, (wait)

3 I hate you this, but your jacket's torn, (tell)

4 I dread for the telephone to ring, (wait)

5 I prefer at home to at restaurants, (eat, eat)

6 What will you have? - I'd prefer steak, please, (have)

7 Would you like to the beach with us tomorrow? (come)