Transcript Infinitive or ING form? - Escola Oficial d'Idiomes

Infinitive or ING form
EOI
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Sometimes we need to decide whether to use a
verb in its:
-ing form (doing, singing)
or
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infinitive form (to do, to sing).
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For instance, only one of the following sentences
is correct. Which one?
I’ve just decided buying a new car. (?)
I’ve just decided to buy a new car. (?)
When to use the infinitive
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The infinitive form is used after certain verbs:
- forget, help, learn, teach, train
- choose, expect, hope, need, offer, want, would like
- agree, encourage, pretend, promise, recommend
- allow, can/can't afford, decide, manage, mean, refuse
I agreed to go with her.
He decided to leave the party early.
Why are they encouraged to learn English?
We can't afford to take a long holiday.
! For the negative form we use “not” before the infinitive:
I agreed not to go with her.
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The infinitive form is always used after
adjectives, for example:
- disappointed, glad, happy, pleased, relieved,
sad, surprised
I was happy to help them.
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This includes too + adjective:
The water was too cold to swim in.
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The infinitive form is used after adjective +
enough:
She is rich enough to buy two.
When to use -ing
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The -ing form is used when the word is the
subject of a sentence or clause:
Swimming is good exercise.
Doctors say that smoking is bad for you.
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The -ing form is used after a preposition:
I look forward to meeting you.
They left without saying "Goodbye."
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The -ing form is used after certain verbs:
- avoid, dislike, enjoy, finish, give up, mind/not
mind, practise, deny, postpone, fancy, admit,
miss, involve, imagine
I dislike getting up early.
Would you mind opening the window?
! For the negative form we use “not” before the gerund:
Would you mind not opening the window? It’s cold outside.
Gerund and infinitive
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Some verbs can be followed by the -ing
form or the infinitive without a big change
in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend,
like, love, prefer, propose, start.
It started to rain / It started raining.
I like to play tennis / I like playing tennis.
Fill in the blanks with the infinitive or ing form
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1. We like ______ our grandmother on Sundays.
(visit)
2. It wasn’t a nice day, so we decided _____ for
a walk. (not go)
3. My father hates _____a tie to work. (wear)
4. We can't afford ______ a vacation this
summer. (take)
5. The company was pleased ______ your
thank-you letter. (receive)
6. Our neighbour threatened _______ the police.
(call)
7. I hope ______ a job soon. (find)
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8. Would you mind _____ a window? (open)
9. She was too proud _____ the truth. (tell)
10. She cannot leave the table without ______ her
dinner. (finish)
11. The music will continue _______until you turn it off.
(play)
12. My little brother dislikes ______his hair brushed. (not
have)
13. Men aren’t very good at ______ women’s thoughts.
(guess)
14._________ is bad for your health. (smoke)