Some verbs take only -ing, some only to .... A few (remember, regret, go on) take both with a change of meaning, and a few more (begin, start, continue, intend, bother) take both with no change at all.
A Verbs that take -ing and verbs that take to ...
Some verbs are followed by -ing and some by to ...:
| Verbs + -ing (not to ...) | Verbs + to ... |
|---|---|
| admit, avoid, consider, deny, enjoy, fancy, finish, imagine, keep (on), mind, postpone, risk, stop, suggest | afford, agree, arrange, decide, deserve, fail, forget, hope, learn, manage, offer, plan, promise, refuse, tend |
For examples of the first group, see Unit 53. For the second, see Unit 54.
- Have you finished ironing?
- We can't afford to replace the boiler.
B remember, regret, go on: two forms, two meanings
Some verbs can take -ing or to ..., and the meaning changes.
remember
| I remember doing something | I remember to do something |
|---|---|
| I did it, and now I remember it. The doing comes first. | I remembered that I had to do it, so I did it. The remembering comes first. |
regret
| I regret doing something | I regret to say / to tell you / to inform you |
|---|---|
| I did it and now I am sorry about it. | I am sorry that I have to say this. It belongs in formal letters, usually just before bad news. |
go on
| go on doing something | go on to do something |
|---|---|
| Continue doing the same thing. | Move on and do or say something new. |
- I definitely turned the oven off. I clearly remember doing it.
- She remembers walking to the bus stop, but she can't remember anything after that.
- I remembered to post the parcel, but I forgot to buy milk.
- Remember to take your umbrella.
- I regret lending him my car. I'll never see it again in one piece.
- Do you regret not learning to drive?
- We regret to inform you that the 8.15 to Doncaster has been cancelled.
- The vicar paused, coughed and went on talking.
- We can't go on arguing like this.
- After the weather, the presenter went on to talk about the local elections.
C begin, start, continue, intend, bother: no difference
These verbs can take -ing or to ... with no difference of meaning:
begin, start, continue, intend, bother
We do not normally put an -ing form straight after another -ing form. So It's starting to snow is usual, while "It's starting snowing" is not.
- It started snowing.
- It started to snow.
- Hollie intends opening a café.
- Hollie intends to open a café.
- Don't bother washing up.
- Don't bother to wash up.
- It's starting to snow.
Exercises
56.1 Put the verb into the correct form, -ing or to ....
The boys denied taking the apples. (take)
The boys denied taking the apples.
I don't enjoy in the dark. (cycle)
I don't enjoy cycling in the dark.
I can't afford out every weekend. (eat)
I can't afford to eat out every weekend.
Have you ever considered your own business? (start)
Have you ever considered starting your own business?
We trained hard all season and deserved the cup. (win)
We trained hard all season and deserved to win the cup.
Why do you keep me the same question? (ask)
Why do you keep asking me the same question?
Please stop your fingers on the table! (tap)
Please stop tapping your fingers on the table!
I refuse for something I didn't break. (pay)
I refuse to pay for something I didn't break.
The manager admitted a mistake. (make)
The manager admitted making a mistake.
Shona needed somewhere to stay, and we promised what we could. (do)
Shona needed somewhere to stay, and we promised to do what we could.
I don't mind on my own, but I prefer having people around. (work)
I don't mind working on my own, but I prefer having people around.
The fence was quite high, but I managed over it. (jump)
The fence was quite high, but I managed to jump over it.
Jordan doesn't know about the party. I forgot him. (invite)
Jordan doesn't know about the party. I forgot to invite him.
I've enjoyed with you. I hope you again soon. (chat, see)
I've enjoyed chatting with you. I hope to see you again soon.
56.2 Megan can remember some things about her childhood, but not others. Write sentences with She remembers ... or She doesn't remember ....
She went to Blackpool when she was five. She can still remember this.
She remembers going to Blackpool when she was five.
She remembers going to Blackpool when she was five.
She broke her arm at nursery. She doesn't remember this.
She doesn't remember breaking her arm at nursery.
Once she got lost in a supermarket. She remembers this.
She remembers getting lost in a supermarket.
She said she wanted to be an astronaut. She doesn't remember this.
She doesn't remember saying she wanted to be an astronaut.
Once she was chased by a goose. She doesn't remember this.
She doesn't remember being chased by a goose.
Her brother was born when she was three. She remembers this.
She remembers her brother being born.
56.3 Complete the sentences with a suitable verb in the correct form, -ing or to .... Items 1 to 6 use remember, items 7 to 10 regret, and items 11 to 14 go on.
Please remember to switch the lights off when you leave.
Please remember to switch the lights off when you leave.
She says we were at school together, but I don't remember her.
She says we were at school together, but I don't remember meeting her.
Somebody must have moved my keys. I clearly remember them on the table, and now they've gone.
Somebody must have moved my keys. I clearly remember putting them on the table, and now they've gone.
When you see Rachel, remember her my best wishes.
When you see Rachel, remember to give her my best wishes.
"You borrowed my umbrella last week." "Did I? I don't remember it."
"You borrowed my umbrella last week." "Did I? I don't remember borrowing it."
"Did you remember your mum?" "No, I forgot. I'll ring her tonight."
"Did you remember to ring your mum?" "No, I forgot. I'll ring her tonight."
The flat was expensive, but I don't regret it.
The flat was expensive, but I don't regret buying it.
We regret you that the concert has been cancelled.
We regret to inform you that the concert has been cancelled.
It began to pour with rain, and he regretted not an umbrella.
It began to pour with rain, and he regretted not taking an umbrella.
I now regret my course. It was a terrible decision.
I now regret leaving my course. It was a terrible decision.
Sian started at the hotel as a waitress. A few years later she went on the manager.
Sian started at the hotel as a waitress. A few years later she went on to become the manager.
I can't go on in this office. I need a change.
I can't go on working in this office. I need a change.
When I came into the kitchen, Dad was doing the crossword. He looked up, said hello and went on it.
When I came into the kitchen, Dad was doing the crossword. He looked up, said hello and went on doing it.
Rents have gone up again. How will anybody manage if they go on ?
Rents have gone up again. How will anybody manage if they go on rising?