Modern English part II—Sentence & Complex Structures

Exercises for Non-native Speakers

7-7 INFINITIVE VS. GERUND OBJECTS

pp. 127~128

Some verbs may be followed by either infinitive phrase objects or gerund

phrase objects.

attempt hesitate regret

cannot bear intend remember
(also interrog.) like cannot stand
begin love (also interrog.)
commence neglect start
continue plan try
hate

After regret, remember, the gerund often refers to past time, the infinitive to
future time.

I remember taking care (or having taken care) of that matter. (past time)
I must remember to take care of that matter. (future time)

Use the infinitive or gerund form of the verb. If either form of verbal objet
may be used, give both.
EXAMPLE: a. They will begin (harvest) the wheat today.
They will begin to harvest (or harvesting) the wheat today.
(The infinitive or the gerund may be used after begin.)
b. We missed (see) you at the meeting.
We missed seeing you at the meeting. (Only the gerund object
is used after miss.)
c. We arranged (meet) him at the station.
We arranged to meet him at the station. (Only the infinitive is
used after arrange.)

1. The farmers risk (lose) losing their crops if it doesn’t rain soon.
2. We enjoyed (meet) meeting you last night.
3. They will continue (work) to work/working seven days a week until the
buildings is finished.
4. I expect (finish) to finish the work next week.
5. We must never neglect (do) to do/doing our duty.

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 Modern English part II—Sentence & Complex Structures
Exercises for Non-native Speakers
7-7 INFINITIVE VS. GERUND OBJECTS

6. He started (have) to have/having trouble with his skin a year ago.

7. I like (get up) to get up/getting up early.
8. Try (go) to go/going to be earlier.1
9. The boy refused (do) to do what he was told.
10. The cashier admitted (take) taking/having taken the money from the
cash register.
11. She stopped (visit) visiting her brother after a bitter quarrel they had.2
12. She can never resist (contradict) contradicting her husband.
13. We regret (advise) to advise you that we no longer manufacture the item
you have ordered.
14. They finished (take) taking inventory a few days ago.
15. The driver put on his brakes to avoid (hit) hitting the car in front of him.
16. I forgot (mail) to mail the letter my wife gave me yesterday.3
17. I must remember (mail) to mail these letters.

1
Try + the infinitive usually means “make a greater effort,” while try + the
gerund means “perform as a kind of experiment.” In this sentence either
meaning is appropriate.
2
The gerund object is used after stop, unless an adverbial of purpose is
intended—We stopped at a service station to get some gas. (purpose)
3
Sometimes the gerund object is used after forget, especially with a negative
or interrogative verb—Who can ever forget winning a million dollars in the
lottery?
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