Some verbs that take gerunds or infinitives with a change in meaning

1. forget + infinitive = not remember

I’m sorry, I forgot to buy milk.

forget + gerund = forget a past event

He’ll never forget flying over the Alps.

2. try + infinitive = do one’s best

The firemen are trying to put out the fire.

try + gerund = do sth as an experiment

Why don’t you try adding some sugar to the sauce? It might taste better.

3. want + infinitive = wish

I want to spend my holidays in Spain.

want + gerund = need sth done

This room wants painting again.

4. stop + infinitive = pause temporarily

She stopped to get some petrol before continuing her journey.

stop + gerund = finish, end

Stop talking, please!

2.Write what each word is followed by: F.I (full inf.), B.I. (bare inf.), or –ing (form).

1.mind + ing 2.make + … 3.what + … 4.used + … 5.decide + …

6.suggest + … 7.refuse + … 8.would love + … 9.avoid + … 10.it’s no use + …

11.must + … 12.risk + … 13.can + … 14.object to + … 15.it’s worth + …

3.Comment on the difference between the following pairs of sentences.

1.I like cooking for my family. - I'd like to cook something delicious today.

2.The manager stopped, speaking on the phone. - The manager stopped to pick up the file.

3.He'll never forget meeting Mary for the first time. - Don't forget to meet the children after school.

4.They went on talking all night. - After college, Andrew went on to study law.

5.If you want to improve your French, you can try watching French films. - I am trying to give up smoking.

6.The piano needs tuning. She needs to be very, very careful.

4.Complete the conversation between a travel agent and a woman, using the infinitive or gerund.

A: Good morning, madam. Can I 1) help (help) you?

W: Yes, I’d like 2) _____ (book) a holiday please.

A: Certainly. I must 3) ____ (ask) you a few questions. Now … where would you like 4)____ (go)? How long are you going 5) ____ (stay)? Would you prefer 6) ____ (have) a relaxing beach holiday or 7) ____ (go) sightseeing? Which countries are you interested in 8) ____ (visit)? What means of transport do you prefer?

W: Well, young man. I don’t know where 9) ____ (go) or how long 10) ____ (stay). I hate 11) ____ (go) to the beach and I don’t enjoy sightseeing. I don’t want 12) ____ (visit) any foreign countries because foreign food makes me 13) ____ (feel) ill. As for means of transport, I’m too frightened 14) ____ (fly) in an airplane. I hate 15) ____ (go) on boats, I don’t like 16) ____ (travel) by train and 17) ____ (travel) on a coach makes me 18) ____ (feel) sick.

A: Well madam, I don’t know what 19) ____ (suggest). I don’t want 20) ____ (appear) rude, but I really think you should 21) ____ (stay) at home!!

5.Make up sentences.

1.Yoko / want / go / abroad

2.Her mother / suggest / go / to Canada

3.She / decide / visit / BC

4.She / consider / study / in Vancouver

5.However, she / hate / live / in big cities

6.Finally, she / choose / go / to Victoria

6.Read the story putting the verbs in brackets into the required form of infinitive or gerund.

Yuri was in his first year at university, studying History. He was rather a lazy student, and he tended to avoid (work) whenever he could. In the middle of the semester, his history professor gave out an assignment, due in two weeks. Yuri intended (do) the assignment, but he postponed (write) it for a week. The following week, he forgot (do) it. The night before the assignment was due, he suddenly remembered it, and rushed to the library. He tried (read) as much as possible on the topic, but there wasn't enough time. Yuri considered (ask) for more time to do his paper, but the History professor was known to be very tough on students, so finally he decided (cheat) and copy his paper from somewhere else. He found an old article on the same topic, and quickly typed it out. The next day, he submitted the paper. The following week, he was alarmed (see) the professor approaching him, looking angry.

"Is this your own work, or did you copy it?" asked the professor. Yuri denied (copy) the paper.

"If you expect me (believe) that, you must be very stupid," said the professor. "Every word is taken from an article I wrote myself five years ago. Did you really think I would forget (write) it?"

7.Put the verbs into the correct form (infinitive or gerund).

1.A student can't learn (spell) without (be) taught.

2. I had to ask the boys (stop) (ride) their mini-scooters in the corridor.

3. Have you ever watched people (try) (catch) fish?

4. We can't think of (buy) a new house before (sell) the old one.

5. I promise to give you an opportunity (ask) questions before (leave) the classroom after (listen) to my lesson

6. It's stupid (risk) (break) a leg with those mini-scooters.

7. I must remember (remind) the students that this grammar point needs (revise).

8. I hate (get up) early in winter and (get ready) in the dark.

9. If you can't fix that old thing, try (hit) it with a hammer!

10. I advise you (wait) before (decide) (accept) that position at the supermarket.

8.Fill in the gaps with the verbs in brackets in the infinitive or gerund form.

1.She forgot....... (invite) her best friend to the party.

2.I’ll never forget...... (see) snow for the first time.

3.I want...... (speak) to Sally, please.

4.These windows are dirty. They want....... (wash).

5.I’ve been trying....... (start) this car for hours.

6.Why don’t you try....... (put) some petrol in the tank?

7.On the way home he stopped....... (buy) some chocolate.

8.The baby didn’t stop....... (cry) all night.

9. Test yourself. Choose the correct form in each sentence (Infinitive or Gerund).

1.I enjoy _____ to the theatre.

a) to go b) going

2.We anticipate _____ two weeks here.
a) to spend b) spending

3.John finished _____ his paper at midnight.
a) to write b) writing

4.Don't avoid _____ my questions.
a) to answer b) answering

5.I don't fancy _____ to this program.
a) to listen b) listening

6.We suggested _____ for the bus.
a) to wait b) waiting

7.The shop assistant offered _____ me.
a) to help b) helping

8.We'll postpone _____ because of the bad weather.
a) to leave b) leaving

9.Helen doesn't mind _____ chocolate alone.
a) to eat b) eating

10.Why do you refuse _____ with me?
a) to speak b) speaking

Unit 10 BEVERAGES Alcoholic beverages Types of alcoholic beverages The story of Coca-Cola Tea: black, green or oolong Fruit juices GRAMMAR Participles