Verbs that take gerund or infinitive with a

change of meaning
 

forget
 
Forget to do something: Used to talk about things that we need to do, and we
forget to do them.

 I think forgot to lock the door when we left. 

 Don’t forget to call me when you finish.

Forget doing something: It’s normally used in negative sentences. Used to talk
about memories; normally about things that we did in the past and that we will not
forget.

 I’ll never forget walking on that amazing beach for the first time. 

remember
 
Remember to do something: Used to talk about things we need to do.

 He didn’t remember to turn off the heating after class. 

 Please, will you remember to close the windows if you leave?

Remember doing something: Used to talk about memories. We remember things

from the past.

 I remember eating on this same chair the day I graduated. 

 I remember mentioning the issue to Elisabeth last week.

try
 
Try to do something: When we try to do something, we make an effort to achieve
something that we maybe will or will not accomplish.

 Could you please try to be a bit less rude?

 I’ll try to convince him, but I’m not sure that’s going to change anything. 

Try doing something: Used when we have an objective and we try something as an

experiment to see if it helps us achieve that objective. We try something in order to
achieve an objective.
  A: “I need to sleep but I can’t.” B: “Why don’t you try drinking a glass of hot
milk?”
 I can’t contact Jane. I’ve tried calling her home number and also on her
mobile, but nothing. 

stop
 
Stop to do something: Used when we stop doing an activity so as to start doing a
different one.

 We had been driving for hours, so we had to stop to eat something and go to

the toilet. (=We stopped driving in order to eat.)

Stop doing something: It means to finish doing something that we are doing.

 Could you stop biting your nails? 

 I need to stop smoking once and for ever. 
Exercise 2
Choose the correct gerund or infinitive form for each gap below.
Page 1 of 2

1He told me ______ for him.

a.wait
b.to wait
c.waiting
2You promised ______ to the concert.
a.let me go
b.to let me go
c.to let me going
3I'd prefer ______ a cup of tea, thanks. I don't like coffee.
a.have
b.to have
c.having
4We spent the whole morning ______ the house.
a.clean
b.to clean
c.cleaning
5We are not allowed ______ Japanese in class.
a.speak
b.to speak
c.speaking

You must remind me ______ Suzan this afternoon.

a.call
b.to call
c.calling
7I'm planning ______ here until Wednesday.
a.stay
b.to stay
c.staying
8He offered ______ me with my maths.
a.help
b.to help
c.helping
9They make us ______ this ridiculous uniform.
a.wear
b.to wear
c.wearing
10He seems ______ a good listener.
a.be
b.to be
c.being

Exercise 3
Fill in the gaps with the verbs in brackets in the correct gerund or infinitive form.

1It isn't so easy   (get) a good result.

2Would you mind   (turn) the TV down, please?
3He managed   (escape) by breaking the window.
4I remember   (cross) this door for the first time. I was so nervous!
5I must remember   (send) him a copy of the document.
6I tried   (stay) awake to see the final, but I was too tired.
7A: I would like my boss to like me.   B: Why don't you try   (arrive) at work
on time?
8What do you want me   (do) with the boxes?
9She is a workaholic, she can't stop   (work).
10I was running really fast but I had to stop   (tie) my shoe.

Exercise 3
Fill in the gaps with the verbs in brackets in the correct gerund or infinitive form.

1It isn't so easy   (get) a good result.

2Would you mind   (turn) the TV down, please?
3He managed   (escape) by breaking the window.
4I remember   (cross) this door for the first time. I was so nervous!
5I must remember   (send) him a copy of the document.
6I tried   (stay) awake to see the final, but I was too tired.
7A: I would like my boss to like me.   B: Why don't you try   (arrive) at work
on time?
8What do you want me   (do) with the boxes?
9She is a workaholic, she can't stop   (work).
10I was running really fast but I had to stop   (tie) my shoe.