Gerund and Infinitive

Sample sentences

e.g. Next month the production department will start to control stock levels every week.

e.g. Next month the production department will start controlling stock levels every week.

e.g. Do you like working on the assembly line?

e.g. Do you like to work on the assembly line?

Form

After some verbs we can use: Verb ...ing or infinitive + to,

e.g. We will continue to automate the process.

e.g. We will continue automating the process.

e.g. You should never try to operate this machinery unless you are wearing protective clothing.

e.g. You should never try operating this machinery unless you are wearing protective clothing.

Uses

Sometimes the meaning is the same:

We can use both forms after these verbs:

begin continue intend prefer start

e.g. We prefer to inspect drilling equipment on a monthly basis.

e.g. We prefer inspecting drilling equipment on a monthly basis.

Sometimes the meaning is different:

We can use both forms after these verbs, but with a different meaning:

forget remember try

e.g. Please remember to check the bill of materials. (Don’t forget.)

e.g. I remember checking the bill of materials. (I checked it and I remember it.)

e.g. We tried to mix the two chemicals that you delivered. (We attempted to do it.)

e.g. We tried mixing the two chemicals that you delivered. (We experimented with it.)

Sometimes there is a slight difference in meaning:

e.g. The employees like rotating jobs, as it increases their motivation. (They enjoy it.)

e.g. We like to use a subcontractor to maintain this equipment. (It is a good thing to do.)

Notes: phrases with “prefer”:

e.g. We prefer to use organic products rather than chemical ones.

e.g. We prefer organic products rather than chemical ones.

e.g. We prefer carrying out thorough lab tests to field trials.

Ex. 23. Choose the correct sentence in each of the following.

1. This new telephone system has been such a success.

1. l really regret not making a change a long time ago.

2. l really regret to not make a change a long time ago.

2. This unit is extremely heavy.

1. Could you try moving it, please?

2. Could you try to move it, please?

3. Security is very important.

1. Don't forget changing your password regularly.

2. Don't forget to change your password regularly.

4. This sounds as though it could work!

1. Would you like setting up trials?

2. Would you like to set up trials?

5. It was several years ago but

1. l remember discussing the advantages of videoconferencing.

2. l remember to discuss the advantages of videoconferencing.

Ex. 24. Complete the following sentences with either “to + infinitive” or “verb + …ing”. Choose from the verbs in the box.

a) produce	c) visit	e) deliver	g) reduce
b) scratch	d) overload	f) increase	h) switch

1. Installing another machine could risk _______ the electricity supply.

2. Tell him _____ off the power supply.

3. We expect _____ production by 15%.

4. We’ll finish _____ that model in November.

5. The suppliers have agreed _____ the amount of packaging.

6. Please avoid _____ the disc.

7. The firm refused _____ without payment in advance.

8. We want our customers _____ our website for further information.

Ex. 25. This is a part of a memo sent form a computer consultant to a manufacturing company. Complete the memo using the words in brackets.

To: Helmut Pohl From: Steve Banks Re: computer software

M E M O

I have begun work on the software for order processing. I had planned (1) _____ (come) and see you but I’ve decided (2) _____ (begin) _____ (work) on what I’ve got here. I am trying (3) _____ (develop) your existing software so that your office staff can keep (4) _____ (use) the existing routine. If we do that we can avoid (5) _____ (create) further training costs. The idea will involve (6) _____ (link) all the modules form quotations, order processing, bill of materials to invoicing. When we link them in this way we will hopefully prevent mistakes (7) _____ (happen).

I’d like to invite an associate (8) _____ (join) us on this project and if he agrees (9) _____ (do) this, we can hope (10) _____ (complete) the outline of the programme by July. I don’t want (11) _____ (delay) _____ (run) the demonstration and will try (12) _____ (arrange) a suitable time to discuss this further.