-ing vs the infinitive1

A. Verbs followed by an -ing form

admit adore appreciate avoid consider delay
deny detest dislike enjoy fancy finish
imagine involve keep mention mind miss
(=continue)
postpone practise resent risk suggest understand

B. Verbs followed by a to-infinitive (full infinitive)

afford agree aim appear arrang ask attempt choose
e
claim decid deman deserv expect fail guarante happe
e d e e n
help hope learn manag offer plan prepare preten
e d
promis refus seem swear tend threate want wish
e e n

*Many verbs followed by a to-infinitive express a concern for the

future (e.g., arrange, expect, hope, intend, plan)
1) Many creatures wanted _______________ (settle down) to sleep.
2) Have you decided where _______________ (spend) your holiday?
3) Jane seems _______________ (sleep) for hours.
4) Tom suggested _______________ (drive) to the seaside.
5) Steve claims _______________ (travel) around the world.
6) He admitted to _______________ (steal) a car.
7) I detest _______________ (study) for exams.
8) I enjoy _______________ (play hooky).
9) Mary tends _______________ (speed) once she gets on the highway
1
Bell and Gower, First Expert Coursebook, 187, 46; Dooley and Evans, Grammarway 4, 32, 36.
10) Barney promised _______________ (quit) drinking after
Octoberfest.

C) Verbs with a change in meaning:

1) Forget
o -ing (=forget that I did something in the past)
 I’ll never forget seeing you looking so miserable.
o infinitive (=forget that you need to do something)
 Don’t forget to send the e-mail!
2) Remember
o -ing (=remember that I did something in the past)
 I remember locking the door.
o Infinitive (=remember that you need to do something)
 Please remember to write to me.
3) Go on
o -ing (=continued)
 He went on talking and talking.
o Infinitive (=changed the activity/subject)
 He went on to ask me how old I was.
4) Mean
o -ing (=involves)
 Being a good photographer means having a lot of patience.
o Infinitive (=intend)
 Did you mean to leave the house unlocked?
5) Need
o -ing (=somebody needs to do it—passive meaning)
 This room needs painting.
o Infinitive (=I must—it’s important)
 I need to have a bath.
6) Regret
o -ing (=I did something I wish I hadn’t)
 I regret spending so much on that trip.
o Infinitive (=I am sorry that I have to tell you this)
 I regret to tell you that you owe me some money.
7) stop
o -ing (=no longer do something)
 Stop worrying!
o Infinitive (=stop something and do something else)
 She stopped to talk to me.
8) try
 o -ing (=see what happens—experiment)
 Try changing the bulb.
o Infinitive (=make an effort)
 I tried to phone you last night.

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct infinitive form or the -
ing form.
1) Jane went on _______________ (sleep) for another two hours.
2) He told us his name and went on _______________ (introduce)
us to his wife.
3) We didn’t mean _______________ (interrupt) you.
4) Being a doctor means _______________ (work) long hours.
5) She tried _______________ (finish) her homework, but it was
too difficult.
6) You should try _______________ (eat) more fruit. It’s good for
your health.
7) He regrets _______________ (argue) with his best friend.
8) We regret _______________ (inform) you that tonight’s
performance will be cancelled.
9) Oh, no! I forgot _______________ (lock) the front door.
10) I’ll never forget _______________ (meet) my favourite
film star.
11) I must remember _______________ (post) these letters
today.
12) I remember _______________ (read) the book, but I don’t
know who wrote it.
13) I have stopped _______________ (watch) horror films
because they give me nightmares.
14) We stopped _______________ (buy) some food before
continuing our journey.
 -ing vs the infinitive (cont’d)2
The (Full) Infinitive
A) After Certain Adjectives
We can use an infinitive after certain adjectives. Some of the most common adjectives are
those which describe:
 personal feelings or attitudes (e.g., anxious, determined, delighted, eager).
 aspects of possibility, probability, necessity, or ability (e.g. certain, crucial,
imperative, likely, possible).
 person’s character (mean, clever, etc).

Adjective Infinitive
I’m sorry to be a nuisance.
Is it necessary to make so much noise?

B) After too + adjective/much or many + noun

a) I’m too old to learn new tricks.

b) There’s too much information to digest.
B) After adjective + enough or enough (+ noun)
c) I’m fit enough to play.
d) Have you got enough (money) to get home?

-ing endings3
C) After Prepositions
When we use a verb after a preposition, this has to be an -ing form.
 Is she still interested in dancing?
 Upon entering the room, she immediately noticed tension in the air.

D) In Some Fixed Expressions (e.g. it’s (no) use, it’s (no) good, it’s (not) worth, can’t
help, can’t stand, have trouble, have a hard/difficult time, etc.)

2
Parrott, Grammar for English Language Teachers, 171-172; Bell and Gower, First Expert Coursebook, 46;
Dooley and Evans, Grammarway 4, 31.
3
Parrott, Grammar for English Language Teachers, 175; Bell and Gower, First Expert Coursebook, 46; Dooley
and Evans, Grammarway 4, 31.
  The family spent a lot of time arguing.
 It’s always worth asking for a discount.

(More) Practice: -ing vs. (full) infinitive

Using the correct form of the verbs in brackets (-ing or full infinitive), fill in the
blanks. Identify the specific rule you followed (A-D).

1) Sadly, Jonathan’s essay contains too many typos _______________

(receive) a passing grade. Rule: _____
2) Nadia is keen on __________ (learn) a new trade. Rule: _____
3) She’s eager _______________ (learn) astronomy. Rule: _____
4) It’s no use __________ (reason) with him—he’s completely lost his
marbles! Rule: _____
5) Let’s be honest: Junior is no longer well enough _______________
(function) as the boss of the Soprano crime family. Rule: _____
6) I’m thinking of __________ (get) a new job. Rule: _____
7) Tony was clever ________________ (not believe) his mother’s lies.
Rule: _____
8) Eoin can’t stand __________ (lose) a fight. Rule: _____
9) Niamh looks forward to __________ (see) you tomorrow night at
Balkanarama. Rule: _____
10) I have trouble __________ (read) on the train sometimes. Rule:
_____
11) Unfortunately, Corby is still too young _______________ (ride)
the roller coasters at Six Flags over Texas. Rule: _____
12) Caoimhe is determined _______________ (ace) her next English
test. Rule: _____
13) Jenna has the hardest time __________ (hit) high notes. Rule:
_____
14) He is reluctant _______________ (help) his sister, Janis. Rule:
_____
15) Do you think Mary will have enough time _______________
(meet) with me tomorrow afternoon? Rule:_____
16) He was found guilty of __________ (lie) in court. Rule: _____