Герундий или инфинитив

Некоторые глаголы могут употребляться как с инфинитивом, так и с герундием.

Infinitive	Gerund
1. remember, forget Remember to send the letter. Don't forget to put out all the lights before you leave. (They take an infinitive when they refer to an action which comes afterwards.)	Do you remember seeing this man before? I will never forget seeing the Beatles. (These verbs take a gerund when they refer to an action which occurred beforehand.)
2. regret I regret to tell you that your application has not been successful.	Do you regret not having gone to univer­sity? (the action refers to the past)
3. like, love, hate, prefer Would you like to have a look round? (= to want, to wish)	I don't like cooking that much. (= to enjoy, to take pleasure in) Do you prefer typing letters to writing them by hand? (gerund is used in a comparison)
4.mean He means to get at the truth however long it can take. (= to intend)	I agree if the job won't mean moving to another area. (= to involve)
need, want, require Do you want to discuss the matter? We need to borrow some money to repair the roof.	The piano requires tuning. The house needs painting. (a passive action)
go on, keep on, carry on After describing the project, he went on to give us its benefits. (= to introduce a new action)	They went on talking about their business. (= to continue an action)
stop, give up, end He stopped to look at the map and then walked on. (= to interrupt one action in order to perform another)	Please, stop crying. (= to cease)
advise, allow, encourage, recommend, permit He doesn’t allow anyone to smoke in his office. (an object is used) We are not allowed to smoke. (passive)	He doesn’t allow smoking in his office. (no object is used)
try Try to climb in through the window. (an attempt)	Try ringing the doorbell. Someone may be in (an experiment)

Exercise 30. Read these sentences. Pay attention to the difference in meaning of gerunds and infinities.

1. Remember to lend the book to him.

2. I don't remember lending this book to anyone.

3. Will you stop listening to the radio, please?

4. He stopped to say "good-bye" to us.

5. Your daughter likes swimming, doesn't she?

6. "Would you like to have a swim before lunch?" "Yes, I'd love to."

7. "He hates getting up early." "So do I."

8. I'd hate to spend a night in the woods.

9. I'd like to feel independent.

10. Children like playing more than studying.

11. I meant to buy an evening paper but I didn't see anyone sell them.

12. "I want to catch the 7 a.m. train tomorrow." "But that means getting up at 6".

13. I regret being unable to help you.

14. I regret to tell you that I failed.

15. The librarian didn't allow (permit) us to talk here.

16. The librarian doesn't allow (permit) talking here.

Exercise 31. Open the brackets. Use either gerunds or infinitives.

S tudent A: Student B:

1. "Let's go for a swim." "I'm not particularly good at (to swim). What about (to go) for a drive instead?"

2. "Do you feel like (to dine) out or would you rather (to have) dinner at home?" "I'd like (to go) out. I always enjoy (to have) dinner in a restaurant."

3. "I don't mind (to travel) by bus, but I hate (to stand) in queues." "I don't like (to queue) either, and you waste so much time waiting for buses. I think it's better (to go) by underground."

4. "Would you like (to come) to a lec­ture on Beethoven tonight?" "No, thanks. I like (to listen) to music but I don't like (to listen) to people talking about it."

5. "All right. When would you like (to start)?" "In a few minutes." "Let's wait till it stops (to rain); otherwise we'll get wet walking to the bus station."

6. "Do you remember (to meet) him at my house last year?" "Yes, certainly. I shall never forget (to meet) him. He's a wonderful man."

Exercise 32. Use infinitives or gerunds in the correct form:

1. What must you remember (do) before leaving home?

2. I regret (remind) him about his debt.

3. Don't tell me the secret. I prefer not (know) it.

4. Do you remember (take) to the art gallery for the first time?

5. He went on (say) something, but we couldn't hear him because of the noise.

6. “We expect the administration to take a decision”, the speaker went on (say).

7. I can't tell her the truth. I'm afraid (upset) her.

8. The old lady forgot (put on) her glasses.

9. She hardly ever took a bus to the station, she preferred (walk).

10. Don't forget (take) your swimming suit.

11. The girl was afraid (come) near the dog, because she was afraid (bite).

12. I need (find) him urgently.

13. The parents regretted (allow) their daughter to stay out late.

14. He realized she would stand on her rights and stopped (argue).

15. Your hair is too long. It needs (cut).

16. They meant (be) on time but had to stop several times (ask) the way.

17. I try hard (master) spoken English but I find it difficult. - Try (watch) English video films and (listen) to tape stories.

18. It seemed so exciting to stay at the sea coast a few more days, but it would mean (return) by plane, and he hated (fly).

19. If you intend (catch) the bus it means (leave) now.

20. I remember my father (tell) me (respect) my friends’ opinion.

21. Remember (lock) the door for the night before (go) to bed.

22. She was afraid (say) a word, for she was afraid (wake) up the parents.