Difference in meaning between the to-infinitive and -ing form

Some verbs can take either the to-infinitive or the -ing form with a change in meaning.

1. forget + to-infinitive = not remember - She forgot to lock the door.

forget + -ing form = not recall - We'll never forget travelling around Africa.

2. remember + to infinitive = not forget - Did you remember to turn off the computer?

remember + -ing form = recall -1 remember talking to Jenny at the party.

3. mean + to-infinitive = intend to - I'm sorry; I never meant to offend you.

mean + -ing form = involve - If he gets this job, it will mean moving to a new town.

4. regret + to-infinitive = be sorry to (normally used in the present simple with verbs such as say/tell/inform) - We regret to inform passengers that the Air France flight to Paris has been delayed.

regret + -ing form = feel sorry about - I regret losing touch with my old school friend Robert.

5. try + to-infinitive = attempt, do one's best - I tried to call her but I couldn't get through.

try + -ing form = do something as an experiment - Why don't you try changing the batteries?

6. stop + to-infinitive = stop temporarily in order to do something else - After working for five hours they stopped to have a rest.

stop + -ing form = finish doing something - At five o'clock everyone stopped working and went home.

7. need + to infinitive = the subject of the sentence will do the action: I need to mend my jeans. (= I will mend them)

need + ing form = there is a passive meaning. My jeans need mending. (= we don't know who will mend them)

The to-infinitive is used:

· to express purpose. She went to the clothes shop to buy a new dress for the reception.

· after certain verbs that refer to the future (agree, appear, decide, expect, hope, plan, promise, refuse, etc). They plan to buy a new car.

· after would like, would prefer, would love, etc to express a specific preference. I would prefer to stay at home tonight.

· after adjectives which describe feelings/emotions (happy, glad, sad, etc), express willingness/unwillingness (eager, reluctant, willing, etc) or refer to a person's character (clever, kind, etc); and the adjectives lucky and fortunate. I was very glad to hear that Liz got married.

Note: With adjectives that refer to character we can also use an impersonal construction.

It was kind of you to help me with my essay.

· after too/enough. It isn't warm enough to go out without a coat.

· to talk about an unexpected event (usually with only). I finally arrived home only to find that I had left my keys at the office.

· with it + be + adjective/noun. It was easy to find the house after all.

· after be + first/second/next/last/etc. She was the first person to congratulate me on my promotion.

· after verbs and expressions such as ask, decide, explain, find out, learn, want, want to know, etc when they are followed by a question word. Their Maths teacher explained how to solve the problem.

Note: why is followed by subject + verb, NOT an infinitive. I wonder why she didn't let us know about it.

· in the expressions to tell you the truth, to be honest, to sum up, to begin with, etc. To be honest, I don't trust him anymore.

Note: If two to-infinitives are linked by and or or, the to of the second infinitive is omitted.

I would like to go and visit Kate at the weekend.

The infinitive without to (also called bare infinitive) is used:

· after modal verbs. Carol can speak Italian and French.

• after the verbs let, make, see, hear and feel. They made her fill out a lot of forms.

BUT: we use the to-infinitive after be made, be heard, be seen

Too/Enough

We use too + adjective/adverb (for sb/sth) + to-infinitive to show that something is more than is wanted/permitted/etc. He is too young to drive. (He isn't allowed to drive.)

The suitcase is too heavy (for me) to carry. (I can't carry it.)

We use (not)... enough... (for sb/sth) + to-infinitive to show that something is (not) as much as is wanted/necessary/etc.

He isn't old enough to drive. (He isn't allowed to drive.)

The suitcase is light enough (for me) to carry. (I can carry it.)

Enough follows an adjective/adverb, but is placed before a noun.

I have(n't) got enough money to buy a new car.