Grammar & Usage

1. Grammar & Usage Unit 7 Verb + to-infinitive/bare infinitive or -ing 7.1 Uses 7.2 to-infinitive or -ing Grammar Practice Part C Part A Part B Language Practice Part A Part C Part B Part D

2. start continue begin intend like love propose prefer advise bear hate recommend bother permit allow 7.1 Uses  We can use either a to-infinitive or -ingafter the following verbs, without changing meaning. Teacher’s notes P.53

3. to-infinitive to rain. raining. We were about to leave when it started -ing P.53

4. 1 We do not normally use the -ingafter the continuous forms of begin, start and continue (to avoid having two -ing endings).  Correct:It’s starting to rain.  Wrong:It’s starting raining. We also use the infinitive form of the verbs like understand, know, realise, like, admire after start, begin and continue. After working with him for some time, I began to admirehis flexibility. P.53

5. 2 We most often use the to-infinitive after would like. I would like to readthe novel. 3 It is more common to use a to-infinitive after prefer. She doesn’t like meetings in the morning. She prefers to havethem in the evening. We also use prefer in these structures: He prefersgoingfor a swim to playing tennis. He prefers to gofor a swim than to play tennis. P.53

6. When we talk about what we would prefer to do in a particular situation, we use would prefer + to- infinitive. A: It’s hot. Let’s go out for a cold drink. B: I’d prefer to stayat home and have a drink. Compare:I’d rather stayat home and have a drink. P.53

7. 4 When verbs such as advise and allow are followed by a personal object (me, us, etc.), they require the use of the to-infinitive. Without the personal object, the gerund is used. He advised an Octopus card. They won’t allow here. buying usto buy parking usto park P.53

8.  We can use the bare infinitive (the infinitive without to) or verb + -ingafter see, notice, watch, observe, hear, overhear, feel, etc. if the action is in progress. I saw him talking on the phone, so I thought I’d better wait. We use the bare infinitive when we see, hear, etc. an action from beginning to end. People rushed to help the old man when they saw him fall into the water. P.54

9. 7.2 to-infinitive or -ing The verbs below may be followed by the to-infinitive or -ing, depending on the meaning we want to express. P.54

10. remember/forget We use the -ingwhen we remember/forget something after we do it. I remember meeting you at John’s party last month. We use the to-infinitive when we remember/forget something before we have to do it. I must remember to post the letter for you on my way to school tomorrow. P.54

11. try When we try to do something, we make an effort to do it. Tom: You’re late. Pat: Sorry. I tried to get a taxi, but I couldn’t. When we try doing something, we do it and see what happens. Tom: I can’t get this price sticker off my new mug. Pat: Why don’t you try soaking the mug in water? P.54

12. stop If we stopdoing something, we no longer do it. When the teacher came in, the students stopped talking. If we stop to do something, we stop what we are doing so that we can do something else. While on his way to work, he stopped to buy a newspaper. P.54

13. go on (= continue) We use go on + -ingto describe something that continues. We told him to take a rest, but he wouldn’t listen. He went on painting the flat until he finished the whole thing. We use go on + to-infinitive to describe a change. After he finished the living room, he went on to paint the bedroom. P.54

14. regret We use regret + -ingto show that we feel sorry for something we did. I didn’t mean to hurt her. I regret shouting at her. We use regret + to-infinitive when we are sorry for what we must do now. I regret to inform you that you have not been chosen for the position. P.55

15. mean When we use meanto show something will result in something else, we use the -ing form after the verb. We can’t afford to miss the ferry. It’ll mean waiting another half an hour. We use mean + to-infinitive to say that we intend to do something. I meant to call you last night, but I forgot. P.55

16. afraid We use be afraid of + -ingwhen we are afraid there is a possibility that the action in the gerund will happen. I don’t like climbing. I’m afraid of falling. We use be afraid + to-infinitive to say that we do not have the courage to do something because of the results that the action in the infinitive may bring about. I’m afraid to ask her again for help. She may get angry. P.55

17. sorry We use sorry + for + -ingto apologise for something we have done. I’m sorry forbeing late. I was held up in a traffic jam. We use sorry + to hear, learn, see, read,etc. to show sympathy for somebody. We’re sorry to hear that your apartment was broken into. P.55

18. sorry We use sorry + to-infinitive before we do something as a polite way of excusing ourselves. I’m sorry to bother you, but could you please tell me how to get to the MTR station? P.55

19. interested We use interested in doingsomething when we are eager todo it. Many of my classmates are interested in learning Japanese. We say interested to know, learn, see, hearsomething when we want to find outmore. Tell me about your plan. I’m interested to hear more about it. P.55

20. be used to We use be used to + -ingto mean ‘be accustomed to’. We can use this phrase with different tenses. After living here for some time, Mr Brown is now used to driving on the left. When Mr Brown first came to Hong Kong, he wasnot used to driving on the left. We use used + to-infinitive for former habits. Mrs Tam used to drive a school bus before she retired. P.55-56

21. 1We can say get(= become) used to instead of be used to. Having lived here for a few months, Mr Brown hasnow got used to driving on the left. 2We can also use a pronoun, a noun or noun phrase after be/get used to: I’ve lived in Canada for years, but I’mstill not used to the cold weather. Jane sometimes does things on impulse. You’llget used toit. P.56

22. Grammar Practice Use either the infinitive or the gerund form of the given verbs to complete the following sentences. Where two answers are possible, write ONE answer only. The first one has been done for you. Teacher’s notes P.56

23. to bring 1 I hope he will remember ____ (bring) the novel when he comes this evening. 2 After dinner, Mary continued ____ (do) her homework. 3 It’s very kind of you to offer me a lift, but I’d prefer ____ (walk) home. It’s such a beautiful day! 4 Would you like ____ (listen) to some music? (1) _____________ (2) _____________ (3) _____________ (4) _____________ to do/doing to walk/walking to listen P.56

24. 5 Do you like ____ (play) chess? 6 I’d like ____ (travel) to Europe one day. 7 It won’t take you long to get used to ____ (work) with your new colleagues. 8 I can’t wait ____ (see) her again. 9When will he start ____ (teach) you how to use the computer? (5) _____________ (6) _____________ (7) _____________ (8) _____________ (9) _____________ to play/playing to travel working to see to teach/ teaching P.56

25. 10 My sister went to university, and I hope ____ (go) too. 11 I can’t imagine ____ (stand) on top of that tall building. I’d feel dizzy. 12 Do you remember when we went ____ (cycle) around Tai Po last year? What a wonderful time we had! (10) ____________ (11)____________ (12)____________ to go standing cycling P.56

26. Complete the following dialogues using either the infinitive or gerund form of the verbs in the box below. Where either form would be acceptable, write BOTH. The first one has been done for you. P.57

27. 1A: I’m bored. Let’s go out for a walk. B: It’s beginning _________________ . We’d better wait until it stops. 2 A: How do you know Jane won’t be there? B: I heard her _________________ Tony. to rain tell P.57 BOX

28. 3A: Do you know why John and Mary broke up? B: No, all I know is that they’ve stopped _____________ each other. 4A: I’m going to Guangzhou next week. Would you recommend going by plane or train? B: I’d recommend your _________________ the train. It’s cheaper and quite comfortable. seeing taking P.57 BOX

29. 5A: Climbing that mountain will be hard work. B: I know, but I’d like _________________ . 6 A: Let’s buy some peanuts for the monkeys. B: But they don’t allow us _________________ the animals. to try to feed P.57 BOX

30. 7A: There’s no one in the office. B: It’s lunchtime. The staff will return _______________ after their break. 8A: Why didn’t you buy a new car? B: Because it meant _________________ more than I can afford. to work spending P.57 BOX

31. 9A: When will the replacement teacher start? B: I think he’ll start ________________________ us next week. 10A: Did you manage to persuade Jane to give up on the idea? B: No. I tried __________________________ the risk to her, but she wouldn’t change her mind. to teach/teaching to explain/explaining P.57 BOX

32. Read the first sentence of each question, then complete the second sentence. Make sure you retain the original meaning. The first one has been done for you. P.58

33. 1Will you please wait a moment? Would you mind _________________________________ _______________________________________________ 2 Their proposal is worthy of consideration. Their proposal is worth ____________________________ _______________________________________________ waiting a moment? considering. P.58

34. 3The minister failed to bring inflation under control. The minister did not succeed _______________________ _______________________________________________ 4 He made the same mistake. He kept ________________________________________ _______________________________________________ in bringing inflation under control. making the same mistake. P.58

35. 5Paul does not write to her anymore. Paul has stopped _________________________________ _______________________________________________ 6 The suspect said that he did not commit the crime. The suspect denied _______________________________ _______________________________________________ writing to her. having committed the crime/ committing the crime. P.58

36. to wear/wearing jeans on a hot day. 7Jessica hates to wear jeans on a hot day. Jessica does not like _______________________________ _______________________________________________ 8 Is she able to handle difficult customers? Is she capable ___________________________________ _______________________________________________ of handling difficult customers? P.58

37. 9I hate hearing her say such things. I can’t bear _____________________________________ _______________________________________________ 10 ‘I stole the car.’ ‘I admit ________________________________________ _______________________________________ .’ to hear her say such things/hearing her say such things. having stolen the car/stealing the car P.58

38. Language Practice Match the half-sentences in Column A with those in Column B. Each letter in Column B can be used only ONCE. The first one has been done for you. P.59

39. Column A 1 My mother is good 2 When I saw the photo, I couldn’t help 3 After finishing school he intends 4 My brother doesn’t mind 5 My grandmother prefers travelling by train G _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ F E A H P.59 COLUMN B

40. Column A 6 My mother likes 7 After finishing the novel she went on 8 After they’d been working for three hours, they stopped _________ _________ _________ B D C P.59 COLUMN B

41. Read the first sentence then complete the second. The first one has been done for you. P.59

42. to see a 1 Janet has a nasty cold. We’ve advised her ______________ _________________________ . 2 It’s still raining. Instead of going outside, I’d rather ______ ___________________________ . 3 Is Miss Chan in, please? I’d like ____________________ . 4 The man is still in hospital. He’s suspected _____________ ____________________________________ . doctor immediately stay home and watch TV to be suffering from food poisoning to talk to her P.59

43. to wait for films to come out on DVD suffering from arthritis leaving them on the table 5 I hardly ever go to the cinema. I prefer ________________ ______________________________________ . 6 The doctor said I was unfit. He recommended that I ________________________ . 7 My grandma is in poor health. She’s been ______________ _________________ . 8 I can’t find my keys. I remember _____________________ __________________ , but they aren’t there now. exercise regularly P.59

44. Your friend (A) is telling you something. Respond to your friend’s statements below by using the words in brackets to complete the sentence. The first one has been done for you. P.60

45. 1A: The light was on when I got up this morning. (turn off/ it/last night) B: Your brother must have forgotten _________________ ___________________________________________ 2A: Carol missed the chance of meeting him. (not/go/party) B: I know. She now regrets _______________________ ___________________________________________ to turn it off last night. not having gone to the party/not going to the party. P.60

46. 3A: I was annoyed by her remark. (hurt/you) B: She didn’t mean _____________________________ ___________________________________________ 4A: My MP3 player isn’t working. (change/batteries) B: Have you tried _______________________________ ___________________________________________ to hurt you. changing the batteries? P.60

47. 5A: She said that she had explained the details to you in her email. (receive/email) B: I don’t remember ______________________________ ____________________ from her in the past few weeks. 6A: Linda told me she didn’t know anything about the picnic. (contact/her) B: I’ve tried _____________________________________ several times, but each time she was out. receiving anemail/having received anemail to contact her P.60

48. 7A: You don’t seem to get along with Helen. (difficult/ understand/her) B: I’ve always found ____________________________ ___________________________________________ it difficult to understand her/her difficult to understand. Teacher’s notes P.60

49. of hurting his feelings/to hurt his feelings. 8A: You should have told Thomas to behave himself. (hurt/feelings) B: I was afraid _________________________________ ___________________________________________ P.60

50. Read the news report then complete the conversation between Mr and Mrs Chan on the following page, using ONE suitable word for each blank. The first one has been done for you as an example. P.60