Verb + Gerund/ Infinitive
with a change in meaning
Some verbs have different meanings when they are follwed by a gerund or
an infinitive.
forget
GERUND | INFINITIVE |
---|---|
looks back in the past | looks into the future |
He'll never forget spending so much money on his first computer. | Don't forget to spend money on the tickets. |
go on
GERUND | INFINITIVE |
---|---|
to continue with the same thing | to change the activity |
Go on reading the text. | Go on to read the text. |
mean
GERUND | INFINITIVE |
---|---|
sth. has to be done to get a result | intend to do sth. |
You have forgotten your homework again. That meansphoning your mother. | I meant to phone your mother, but my mobile didn't work. |
regret
GERUND | INFINITIVE |
---|---|
you did sth in the past and you are not happy about it | to tell bad news and you are not happy about it |
I regret being late for school. | We regret to inform you that the flight has beeen delayed for another two hours. |
remember
GERUND | INFINITIVE |
---|---|
looks back in the past | looks into the future |
I remember switching off the lights when I went on holiday. | Remember to switch off the lights when you go on holiday. |
stop
GERUND | INFINITIVE |
---|---|
to stop with an activity | to stop in order to do sth. |
I stopped smoking. | I stopped to smoke. |
try
GERUND | INFINITIVE |
---|---|
to test sth. | to do sth. that is not easy |
I tried taking an aspirin but it didn't help. | Try to be quiet when you come home late. |
The following words are a little more tricky.
like
I like reading books. = I like to read books.
There is normally no difference in meaning.
There is normally no difference in meaning.
- Use the Gerund when like is used in the sense of 'enjoy'.
Example: I like riding my bike. - Use the Infinitive when you do sth. in the sense of a habit.
Example: I like to do my homework in the afternoon. (I think, it is good to do my homework in the afternoon).
Mind the following examples:
- I like watching films.
- I would like to watch the film.
be afraid
Use the Gerund when you worry about sth.
- I'm afraid of having an accident.
In other cases there is no difference in meaning whether we use Gerund or Infinitive.
- I'm afraid to go by bike on this road. = I'm afraid of going by bike on this road.
need
If we use a Gerund after need, then the sentcene has a passive meaning:
- The window needs cleaning.
used to
The form to be used to + Gerund means that the person is familiar with sth.
- He is used to smoking. (He still smokes.)
The form used to + Infinitive means that the person did sth. in the past.
- He used to smoke. (He does not smoke any more.)
Attention!
- He is used to smoke. (This sentence is wrong.)
EXERCISES:
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