Lesson 18: Various infinitive and gerund structures

This lesson was prepared from materials published in Thomson & Martinet (Chapter 6 & 7) and
British National Corpus

Study these examples taken from BNC:

When Prudence and Blackberry were too young to be trusted in the dining room, they were tie…
… he and Louis felt their children were too young to take part in any religious life at home…
… I was too young to understand why, but then I made some friends, ..
…. and her children were too young to work for their keep…

Now give your own examples:

I’m too …………………. to …………………….
…. is too ………………. to ……………….
…. are too ……………. to ………………….

You are old enough to get a driving license, aren’t you?

Give your own examples:

I am ………………………. enough to ………………………….
… is ………………………. enough to ………………………….
… are ………………………. enough to ………………………….

Write sentences about people who gave up doing something (smoking, dieting, etc.)
………………………… gave up ……………………………
………………………… gave up ……………………………
………………………… gave up ……………………………

Complete the sentences with a suitable ~ing verb (T&M, ex. 75). The first two heve been done for
you as an example:

I try to avoid sneezing in buses.

You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs. (proverb)

I must stop ………………………..
I prefer ……………………….to ……………………….
I am against ……………………….
It’s no use ……………………….
I suggest ……………………….
He finished ………………………. and went to bed.
He was fined for ………………………..
It is difficult to get used to ………………………..
If you can’t turn the key try ………………………..
He lost no time in ………………………..
We are looking forward to ………………………..
They don’t allow ……………………….. in here.

Underline the correct form (T&M, ex. 76):

1. I am looking forward to seeing / to see you.

2. He dreads having / to have to retire.
3. I arranged meeting / to meet them here.
4. He urged us working / to work faster.
5. I wish seeing / to see the manager.
6. It’s no use waiting / to wait.
7. He warned her not touching / to touch the wire.
8. Don’t forget locking / to lock the door before going / to go to bed.
9. My mother told me not speaking / to speak to anyone about it.
10. I can’t understand her behaving / to behave like that.
11. He tried explaining / to explain but she refused listening / to listen.
12. At dinner she annoyed me by smoking / to smoke between the courses.
13. You are expected knowing / to know the safety regulations of the college.
14. He decided disguising / to disguise himself by dressing / to dress as a woman.
15. I am prepared waiting / to wait here all night if necessary.

Go to this website and do the exercise a few times (until your score is perfect!).

http://www.manythings.org/fq/1/9996.html