OVERVIEW 1 TWO ACTIONS TOGETHER ‘When we want to talk about two actions together, ‘we can use two verbs. The first verb follows the normal rules of person and tense, while the second verb is either an -ing form, a to-infinitive, or a bare infinitive. I've always avoided visiting my cousins My parents will never agree to lend us that much My mother made me stay at home until [had finished clearing up. We're going to have to postpone visiting your mother again. Practise doing that every morning. Ir looks as if we'll be forced to give in. I challenge you to prove i. Theard him talk 0 Colin. Dial you see that guy run? * Verbs commonly followed by -ing include (see Section 1 for fuller lst imagine enjoy admit deny + Verbs commonly followed by to-infinitive include (see Section 2 for fuller list) ask promise agree expect + Some verbs can be followed by more than one form with little difference in meaning: T hope they don’t intend to visit / visiting me soon. + Here are some more examples: intend begin continue cease propose start We can also use -ing or to-infinitive after love, prefer, and like, The differences in meaning are sometimes very small: Tove to lie on the beach. is virtually the same as T love lying on the beach. + Like + toinfinitive usually suggests a preferred routine; we use like + -ing to talk about something that pleases us: 1 like t0 listen to music. (= a pleasing routine) 1 like listening to music. (= I enjoy it) + To talk about conditional and hypothetical preferences after would, we commonly use to.infiitive Pd prefer to wait abit if you don’t min. 1 love to visit you Pd like to think people trusted me. (See Section 1 for other differences between verb + to.infnitive /bare infinitive and verb + ~ing. See Section 2 for verbs followed by to-infinitive or bare infinstve.) 2 PREPOSITION + -ING Verbs that follow prepositions are always -ing forms am totally fed up with having to cover for you when ‘you're away, Gill and Stratis always insist on my visiting them when I'm in the country. + Some verbs are followed by a to-infinitive and others by the preposition to, When to is a preposition, any following verb must be -ing form: 1'm afvaid I have to confess to (= preposition) being completely ignorant about classical music. can’t believe they intend to (= to.infinitive) demolish such a historic building ‘+ Alter some verbs, especially stop, the to-infinitive may be an infinitive of purpose. We can replace it with im order to: 1 stopped to ask the way. (= stopped in order to ask) (cre doe] eet 29SECTION I Verbs followed by -ing or infinitive 1 VERBS FOLLOWED BY -ING OR TO-INFINITIVE We can use a number of verbs followed by another verb in the -ing form: {simply adore listening to music in the garden How can they can justify spending so much! + Some of these verbs are related in meaning, Verbs that we commonly use in this way include: like* /dislike —start*/stop* contemplate report adore quit forget” mention detest resume remember” suggest can’t bear*/ stand keep recall describe (don’t) mind go on* dread* advise* resent carry on regret” recommend* tolerate give up anticipate forbid* miss finish risk admit fancy keep on consider* deny (Those marked * can also be followed by to-infinitive ‘but with differences in meaning or use, See below.) 2 PERFECT -ING FORM With some verbs, we use a Perfect -ing form to. ‘emphasise that one action happens before the other: They denied having avoided me as wel. + We can usually rewrite this structure with a that clause and a Perfect tense ‘They denied that they had avoided me as wel 3 WITH AN OBJECT We can often put an object between the two verbs: 1 don’t ike their / them / people gossiping. ‘+ We can use both object pronouns (them, him, etc.) and possessives (their, your, etc.). The possessive is considered more formal. Ifan adjective comes before the -ing, we must use a possessive: don’t like thei spiteful gossiping. 4 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN -ING AND TO-INFINITIVE With some verbs where it is possible to use both -ing form and to-infinitive, any differences in meaning depend on the preceding verb, Here are the most, common differences, * Like, hate and can’t bear are usually followed by twinfinitive when We use would or could in a hypothetical or conditional sense: Ta like to hear that again, if possible. I couldn't bear to go through all that trauma again. 240 + Dread is followed by to-infinitive in these phrases: | dread to think / contemplate what will happen. In other uses of dread we use -ing: 1 dread getting ill when I'm abroad. + Forget and remember: when these have meanings that are ‘forward looking’, we use to-nfinitive Don't forget to send them a Christmas card ‘When forget and remember have meanings that are ‘backward looking’, we use ing: remember their teasing me about my knobbly knees + Regret + toinfinitive isa polite or formal form of apology: 1 regret to inform you that you were turned dove. When we use regret with -ing it means ‘wish it had hadn't happened’ Treally regret speaking to Jack like that + Advise, recommend and forbid are followed by to infinitive when there is an object: Tadvise you to stay oit of their way. ‘They are followed by -ing when there is no object: 1 advise staying out of their way. + Goon + -ing means ‘continue an action’ ignored her calling and went on reading my paper. Go on + to:nfinitive means ‘do something after you have finished doing something else He left Oxford and went on to train as a lawyer. 5 VERB + -ING OR BARE INFINITIVE (One group of verbs connected with observation, e.g. see, observe, sense, fel, hear, watch, perceive, can be followed by either -ing or a bare infinitive T noticed him sneaking / sneak out at lunchtime, We heard the alarm bell ring / ringing and rushed out to sce what was happening. + We normally use a bare infinitive when the action is completed. We use the -ing form when the action is still in progress ~ this is similar to Continuous tenses (see Unit 1, Section 3) a= Match these sentences with the main points above, a felt something brush against my arm in the dark. bb 1 regret to say your progress has been too slow: € As for my neighbours, I really can't stand their relentless quartelling. 4 Vasil didn’t mention going to the party conight. © My grandmother could remember having ridden Jn one of the first ears on the island@ Match the first part (1-8) of each sentence with the most appropriate ending (a-h). Example: 0 (0 My four year old son a doing this can't bear) b swimming and playing, 1 Lonly have to mention around in water. 2 The problem is he washing it and he goes dreads and hides. 3 Oddly enough, he d.the water getting into absolutely adores his eyes. 4. Some friends advised dropping him on his me head in the bath. 5 Somehow I didn't f to hold him upside faney down while washing. 6 Strange as it may the shampoo off. seem, I didn’t want having a bruise on his to risk head instead of water ? [didn’t think he would in his eyes. appreciate hh to think what happens 8 [dread to my friends’ children. having his hair washed.) © Tick (/) the correct form of the underlined verbs that completes each sentence. a. I wouldn't advise any parent to take / taking their children to a z00. bb It was so horrible couldn't bear watching 10 swatch € ll never forget co meet / meeting my alltime favourite author. 4 I dread to go/ going back to see my dentist. € Lonly just remembered to warn / warning her in £ When his playing career finished he went on becoming /to become a suecessful chat-show host g You are recommended leaving / to le valuables at Reception hb Itis strictly forbidden entertaining / to entertain guests in these rooms. 1 Your work is not up to standard, I regret 0 say saying j) saw him lose /losing his footing and fal / falling VERBS FOLLOWED BY -ING OR INFINITE @© Fill cach of the blanks with a suitable word ‘or phrase. a Tdidn’t remember last scene. b T don't anticipate your problems with Paper 3 € Ifthe boss goes... himself under so much pressure, he'll crack before long di Tresent all the menial tasks to do by my immediate superior. © [don't mind you... me as long as you remember to pay me back £ You can't stop your... grey, so why worry? & My dear old mother regrets never... to drive. h He won't tolerate his employees ..... in jeans. i Have you ever considered ..... ears pierced? J We watched the two men in handcufls.... away by the police. © Undertine the word or phrase that best completes the sentences. play before until the very than a few minor 1 My cousin suggested ...... together this weekend. a getting bto get chaving got d to getting 2 They are. 10 builel a new by-pass around the town a suggesting b planning on € proposing d advising 3 eink he really... to go to the races last weekend aenjoyed b wanted c appreciated d adored 4 How can you bear him... t0 tell such obvious lies to you, week after week? a keeping b carrying on ¢ continuing, d going on By the weekend, people had the volcano, afinished b ceased quit d given up to worry about reget to inform you tht pute cot been shortited T regret applying for the job now 2aell SECTION 2 Verbs followed by infinitive 4 VERBS FOLLOWED BY TO-INFINITIVE We can use a number of verbs followed by another verb in a to-infinitive form. The two verbs may be separated by an object when the first verb is transitive: agreed to do the lion's share of the donkey work. I wanted her to take more responsibility for checking the details, + Some of these verbs are related in meaning. Verbs that are commonly followed by a to.infinitive include guarantee threaten want* arrange consent demand wish" decide undertake plead faim negotiate pledge ask* desire agree swear beg" seek consent resolve prefer* expect* volunteer + Verbs commonly followed by an object and 0 infinitive (in addition to those marked * above) include: advise force oblige teach encourage command onler train help permit program inspire expect tell brainwash invite forbid prefer induce persuade urge challenge enable remind allow condemn instruct warn (For differences between -ing and to-infinitive for certain verbs, see Section 1.4) 2 VERBS FOLLOWED BY TO BE We can use a passive infinitive after some verbs, especially report verbs (See Unit 2, Section 2.2): He failed to be elected for the third time in a row. The silver was alleged to have been stolen fiom the palace. + Here are some more examples: rumour assume reckon report understand think prove estimate believe consider feel + After these verbs we can often use to be and an adjective or noun: The judge instructed me to be more attentive to the evidence. He originally wanted to be a gymnast before eventually becoming a sprinter. 3 VERBS FOLLOWED BY PERFECT INFINITIVE With some verbs, e.g. appear, seem, claim, pretend, happen, prove, tend, and report verbs, we often use a Perfect infinitive such as to have done to emphasise that one action happens before the other He appears to have put on weight. ‘+ We can usually rewrite this structure with introductory It + that-clause and a Perfect tense: It appears that he has put on weight. 4 USING FOR + OBJECT With one group of verbs connected with ‘wanting’ we commonly use for + object + to-infinitive: He appealed for help to find his missing wallet. + Here are some more examples: ask call plead press. clamour long yearn wish wait opt vote arrange apply 5 VERB + BARE INFINITIVE After dare, need (in negative sentences) and help we commonly use a bare infinitive, although a to infinitive is also possible with no change in meaning: J didn’t dare say what I really thought. ‘They stopped to help push the car out of the way. 1 don’t think you need (to) rewrite the essa. + Note that need can't be followed by to when used as a modal in questions Need you be so offensive? + We use dare in the common phrases I dare say meaning ‘I suppose it’s true’ or ‘I expect it’s true’, and How dare you said to show you feel offended: I dare say you're off to Greece for your holiday again. How dare you talk to me in that tone of voice! + A few verbs are followed by an object + bare infinitive: ll let you finish the rest of that cake. Do you want to help me wrap these Christmas presents? They ‘made the whole family stand outside while they searched the house + However, note the structure with to-infinitive in the passive with make and kelp: The whole family was made to stand outside. ‘Match these sentences with the five main points above. He claimed to be the rightful heir to the throne, ‘They pretended to have met before. I'm waiting for you to make up your mind. Tell me what you know and I'll let you go. | absolutely forbid you to see that man again,@ Fit each of the gaps in these sentences with a cotrect form of the vetb printed in bold and another verb of your own choice. Example: Lonce met Tom Cruise, who just fon the same plane as me. (happen) {once met Tom Cruise, who just happened to be traveling on the same pane 35 me a It was my English teacher who... me acting, (inspire) b He... me....... for drama school. (encourage) ¢ However | to University instead (decide) d This the right decision. (prove) € 1 was given parts in several student productions because 1 as a professional actor in the past. (claim) £ This was obviously not true, but {still professionally. (long) i ‘the attention of agents and directors by inviting them to these student productions, (hope) h However, I didn’t walk-on part. (dare) © Tick (7) the options that can complete each sentence; in some cases both are possible, in others just one. a. My little nephew proved proved to be quite a handfal throughout his stay bb Tonce dared / dared to let my pet rabbit into the house © Do younced to / Need you be so aggressive all the time? 4. Lying behind the sofa, I hardly dared / breathe € My parents never lets Jet us to watch ‘Star Trek’ when we were young £ Can you help me / help me to bring the washing & My teacher says I need /nced to concentrate on my pronunciation. h We were made / made to go out of the room when the programme started them I only had a wed 10 a, © Fil the gaps in the following sentences with a suitable word or phrase. a The builders undertook the end of the week b This computer is programmed password and nobody else's ¢ My father urged ...... reconsider my decision New Zealand... most people to have the best rugby team in the world. € The government is seeking rumours of mismanagement. £ The proposal was deeply unpopular and the committee called ...... rejected the whole job by your down the © complete cach sentence in such a way that i 1 similar as possible in meaning to the sentence printed before 2 In my opinion, exercise is a waste of time, Leonsider > Retreat was the only opion open tothe troops The 1roops were ¢ Forthei new chairman, the committee chose a relatively inexperienced candidate ‘The committee opted dL My next-door neighbour is looking after the house wile Ym ay. Te arranged I get the impression that she didnt undertand cnatly what is required of her. She doesn' seem Most people think Pacino is one ofthe finest aciort of his generation. Pacino 1g He requested the judge to take into account his good behaviour Fe asked the judge for h Lean imagine why anyone would want to go on a camping holiday Nothing would induce (Sneceu marae a 23