HALL: Advanced Learners’ Grammar, 01

10

-ing forms and infinitives

-ing FORMS

As subjects and objects

We can use -ing forms of verbs in the same way that we use nouns – as the subject, object or

complement of a verb. We often refer to -ing forms used in this way as gerunds:

Swimming makes you fit.

The whole family has taken up cycling.

Her worst habit is lying.

Sometimes -ing forms can have their own subjects and objects:

I’m looking forward to my wife returning. (subject + -ing form)

Meeting new people is one benefit of taking evening classes. (-ing form + object)

We can make a negative with not + -ing:

Not getting a refund on faulty goods is what really annoys me.

! But we use no + -ing to explain that something is impossible or not allowed:

✘ There’s not smoking in this office/There isn’t smoking in this office.

✔ Could you go outside? There’s no smoking in this office.

There’s no skiing here in the summer season. (= Skiing is impossible.)

No Parking (= Parking is not allowed here.)

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-ing form patterns

We can use determiners, e.g. the, this; possessives, e.g. Peter’s; possessive adjectives, e.g. his;

or object pronouns, e.g. him; before -ing forms. Object pronouns are more common in informal

English:

All this complaining won’t get you anywhere, you know.

Peter’s complaining didn’t do him any good.

Exorbitant tax rates led to his leaving the country.

Exorbitant tax rates led to him leaving the country. (informal)

We often use an object + -ing form after verbs of the senses:

I heard Alagna giving a marvellous rendition of ‘Nessun Dorma’.

! We always use the object pronoun after sense verbs:

✘ Have you seen our performing yet?

✔ Have you seen us performing yet?

! When we use the + -ing form and we want to link it with an object, we use of:

✘ The giving presents is a traditional part of the Christmas festivities.

✔ The giving of presents is a traditional part of the Christmas festivities.

We also use -ing forms as adjectives :

The remaining items will be sold in our January sale.

Many adjectives and nouns are followed by a preposition + -ing form:

Lara isn’t capable of lying and she has no reason for not telling the truth.

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Infinitives

Form

Infinitives with to can be the subject, object or complement of a verb:

To give is better than to receive. Everyone loves to win.

We make a negative with not + infinitive:

I tried not to look at the accident.

An infinitive can have its own subject, introduced with for:

For evil to succeed it is only necessary for the good to do nothing.

! In informal English we sometimes put an adverb between to and the infinitive. This is known

as a ‘split infinitive’ and we usually avoid it in formal English by putting the adverb in another

position:

[The doctor started to carefully remove the bandages.]

✔ The doctor started to remove the bandages carefully.

There are also perfect, continuous and passive forms of the infinitive. If, for example, the person

who is doing the action described by the infinitive is not the subject of the sentence, we usually

use the passive infinitive:

✘ The report is to hand in first thing tomorrow morning.

✔ The report is to be handed in first thing tomorrow morning.

Infinitives of purpose and result

We can use an infinitive to describe the purpose or reason for an action:

Cover the turkey in silver foil to keep the meat moist.

To stop the train, pull the lever downwards.

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We use for before the infinitive when the subject of the infinitive is different from the subject of

the sentence:

✘ She went to WalMart for to get some groceries.

✔ She went to WalMart to get some groceries.

✔ We bought a cage for John to keep his hamster in.

In more formal English we can use in order or so as + infinitive of purpose:

Interest rates have been raised in order to reduce inflationary pressures.

We have removed the warning signs so as not to alarm members of the public.

The infinitive can also describe a result or something surprising, especially with only and verbs

such as find, discover, realise, etc.:

They queued for hours at the box office only to discover that the show was sold out.

We also use infinitives after too and enough to talk about results:

That blue outfit was too informal to wear to the reception.

There isn’t enough (food) to go around, I’m afraid.

Infinitives after adjectives and nouns

Many adjectives, especially those describing feelings, can be followed by to + infinitive (some

common examples are in the box below):

We’re thrilled to welcome this year’s prizewinner onto the podium.

The Bensons are lucky to be having such good weather.

adjective + to + infinitive able/unable, afraid, anxious, ashamed, bound, careful, certain, crazy,

curious, due, eager, fit, happy, impossible, likely, lucky, pleased, right, shocked, stupid, sure,

surprised, thrilled, welcome, wrong

Many nouns can be followed by to + infinitive (some common examples are in the box below):

She’s finally made a decision to leave. Clare would be a fool to marry him.

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noun + to + infinitive attempt, bid, decision, desire, incentive, need, nuisance, opportunity,

place, pleasure, reason, time, wish

! We can use a noun + to + infinitive after there is/are and have (got) to express an obligation:

Don’t disturb me, I’ve got a report to write this evening.

Verbs followed by -ing forms and infinitives

12.3A Verb + -ing form

Certain verbs (see box below) can be followed by an -ing form, but not by an infinitive:

✘ I avoid to travel in the rush hour whenever possible.

✔ I avoid travelling in the rush hour whenever possible.

With some of these verbs (marked * in the box below) we can also put an object before the -ing

form. Compare:

Can you imagine wearing that dress! (verb + -ing form)

Can you imagine Jemima wearing that dress! (verb + object + -ing form)

verb + -ing form admit, appreciate*, avoid*, burst out, can’t help*, consider, contemplate, defer,

delay, deny, detest*, dislike*, endure*, enjoy*, escape, excuse*, face*, fancy*, feel like, finish,

give up, imagine*, involve*, justify*, keep (on), leave off, mention*, mind*, miss*, postpone,

practise, prevent*, put off, put sb off, recall*, recommend, resent*, resist*, risk*, save, suggest,

tolerate*, understand*

! Certain verbs, particularly sense verbs (see box below), are only followed by an -ing form

when they have an object:

✘ In ‘Hamlet’ the prince discovers hiding behind the curtains.

✔ In ‘Hamlet’ the prince discovers Polonius hiding behind the curtains.

verb + object + -ing form catch, discover, feel, find, hear, leave, notice, observe, see, spot,

watch

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! The verbs advise, allow, forbid and permit are followed by an -ing form when they have no

object, but an infinitive when they have an object.

✔ The doctor advised taking a course of antibiotics.

✘ The doctor advised him taking a course of antibiotics.

✔ The doctor advised him to take a course of antibiotics.

Verb + infinitive

Certain verbs can be followed by an infinitive, but not by an -ing form (see box below):

✘ She’s decided applying for the job.

✔ She’s decided to apply for the job.

Some of these verbs can also have an object before the infinitive (marked * below):

He doesn’t really expect her to pass the exam.

verb + infinitive afford, agree, aim, appear, arrange1, ask*, attempt, beg*, campaign1, care,

choose*, consent, dare*, decide, demand, deserve2, expect*, fail, fight, forget, guarantee,

happen, help*, hesitate, hope, intend*, long1, manage, need*, neglect, offer, pause, plan1,

prepare, pretend, promise, propose, prove, refuse, seem, swear, tend, threaten, trouble*, try,

undertake, vow, wait1, want*, wish*, yearn

1
With these verbs we use for before the object + infinitive:

✘ We spent ages waiting them to arrive.

✔ We spent ages waiting for them to arrive.

2
In British English, we can use deserve + -ing when it has a passive meaning:

That naughty child deserves smacking. (= deserves to be smacked)

Some verbs are followed by an infinitive only when they have an object (see box below):

✘ They forced to open our suitcases. ✔ They forced us to open our suitcases.

verb + object + to + infinitive advise, allow, cause, command, compel, encourage, forbid,

force, get, instruct, invite, leave, oblige, order, permit, persuade, recommend, remind, request,

teach, tell, tempt, urge, warn

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Verb + -ing form/ infinitive

Some verbs can be followed by an -ing form or an infinitive, with no difference in meaning:

I can’t stand to see/seeing animals in pain.

verb + -ing form or infinitive attempt, begin, bother, can’t bear, can’t stand, cease, continue,

deserve, fear, hate, intend, like (= enjoy), love, prefer, start

! We usually avoid putting two infinitives or two -ing forms together:

[He wanted to start to take lessons.] ✔ He wanted to start taking lessons.

We use to + infinitive after would like, would love and would hate:

✘ When we get there I would like taking a nap.

✔ When we get there I would like to take a nap.

When like means ‘think something is a good idea’, we only use the infinitive. Compare:

I like going/to go to the gym. It’s so relaxing. (= I enjoy visiting it.)

Because of my weight problem I like to go to the gym at least twice a week. (= I think this is

a good idea.)

Verb + -ing form or infinitive

Some verbs can be followed by an -ing form or by to + infinitive, but there is a difference in

meaning:

verb + -ing form + to + infinitive

forget/ = forget/remember an = forget/remember to do a future

remember earlier action: action:

Do you remember going to I must remember to set my alarm

school for the first time? clock tonight.

I’ll never forget meeting him. Don’t forget to lock the back door.

go on = continue: = change to another action:

They went on playing despite After opening the hospital the Prince

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the bad weather. went on to meet the staff.

mean = involves or will result in: = intend to do something:

This new job means living The builders mean to finish by

abroad. Friday.

regret = feel sorrow about the past: = announce bad news:

I really regret getting that We regret to inform you of delays in

tattoo when I was eighteen. today’s service.

stop = finish an action: = finish one action in order to do

They stopped making fax another one:

machines about ten years ago. We stopped to get petrol.

try = do something to see what = make an effort to do something

will happen: difficult:

Try using a screwdriver to get We tried to get tickets but the show

the lid off. was sold out.

Sense verbs

Sense verbs can be followed by an object + -ing form when we are describing an action in

progress or an action that is repeated:

As I walked past the church I heard someone playing Handel’s ‘Messiah’ on the organ. (The

person was in the middle of playing when I walked past.)

I saw a young mother slapping her child. (She slapped him several times.)

These verbs can be followed by an object + infinitive (without to) when we are describing a

single action or the action is complete:

We saw a young mother slap her child in the supermarket. (She slapped once.)

Last week I heard them play the fifth symphony. (I heard the complete symphony.)

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! We use to + infinitive after a passive sense verb:

The young mother was seen to slap her child.

Practice

10a

Underline the mistakes in these sentences and correct them.

1. A great advantage of credit cards is no having to carry cash around all the time. not_

2. Have you ever heard my singing O Sole Mio? .......................

3. We had to come in early for the opening the new extension. .......................

4. Constant criticisms led to she resigning from that stressful job. .......................

5. You’ll have to put that out, sir, this is a not smoking carriage. .......................

6. Passengers can find a heated wait room adjacent to platform ten. .......................

7. The making a successful soufflé requires expert timing. .......................

8. There’s not swimming from this beach, the current’s too treacherous. .......................

9. The argument ended up with we demanding a refund and compensation. .......................

10. They stopped to make vinyl records ages ago. .......................

11. The crane isn’t capable lifting it – it’s too heavy. .......................

10b

Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it is as similar

as possible in meaning to the sentence before it.

12. I really don’t want to see him again.

I have no ...........descire tp see him again....

13. I want you to hand the report in tomorrow.

The report is ..........................................................

14. You can’t join the army because you aren’t sufficiently fit.

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You aren’t fit ..........................................................

15. He was very worried that he would arrive late.

He was anxious not ..........................................................

16. Right now I’m afraid I can’t give you an answer.

I am not ..........................................................

17. The government closed the borders with the aim of catching the criminals.

In order ..........................................................

18. Closing the office was something the manager decided this morning.

The manager made ..........................................................

19. I learnt that Amanda was going to marry Ronald, which was surprising.

I was ..........................................................

20. They didn’t publish the news because they didn’t want to frighten the public.

They didn’t publish the news so ..........................................................

21. Checking the balance on my current account was my main reason for visiting the bank this

morning.

I went ..........................................................

22. When we got there they had already closed the store for stocktaking!

We got there only ..........................................................

10c

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

I’m not disappointed, I never really expected .......... (pass) the test.

Please don’t hesitate .......... (call) if you have any problems.

The doctor recommended .......... (avoid) strenuous activity for the first few weeks.

The sales team aims .......... (exceed) its target by at least five per cent this year.

I don’t suppose you happened .......... (notice) whether there was a cash machine there?

How on earth do they justify .......... (keep) three dogs in such a small flat?

We’d better hurry up; I’d hate .......... (arrive) late.

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Despite all the rejections, Dave’s continuing .......... (apply) for every vacancy he sees.

We discovered an old document ......... (lie) under the floorboards.

I’ll put off .......... (call) them until after I’ve spoken to the personnel officer.

You can watch the film if you promise .......... (go) to bed straight afterwards.

Being a diabetic, I like .......... (avoid) anything containing sugar.

Thanks very much. Yes, we’d love .......... (join) you for dinner on Friday.

You really can’t help .......... (feel) sorry for the poor guy.

Passengers are permitted .......... (carry) only one piece of hand luggage onto the plane.

Jonathan’s the one who taught Rachel .......... (swim) last summer.

Sometimes you have to pretend .......... (like) people that you detest.

That’s strange, I don’t recall ......... (meet) him at all.

The judge will defer .......... (pass) sentence until the psychiatric reports have been submitted.

Whenever possible, the personnel department likes .......... (settle) salary reviews prior to the

quarterly board meetings.

10d

Underline the correct form in italics.

23. Darling, did you remember packing/to pack some spare cassettes for the video camera

yesterday?

24. I really regret leaving/to leave school so young, it’s ruined my career prospects.

25. We tried pressing/to press the ‘escape’ key but the program just wouldn’t respond.

26. A suspicious young man was seen enter/to enter the building shortly before the incident.

27. As we drove over the river we noticed local women washing/wash their clothes in the water.

28. I once heard Karajan conducting/conduct the entire Ring cycle – it was wonderful.

29. I stopped eating/to eat sugar years ago.

30. Nothing will stop their enquiries, they mean getting/to get to the bottom of this strange

business.

31. Don’t forget recording/to record ‘EastEnders’ tomorrow evening.

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32. The woman woke up in the middle of the night, looked out of her window and saw

something strange hovering/hover over the trees in the park.

33. After a career in the secret service, Ian Fleming went on achieving/to achieve fame as an

author.

34. Transglobe Airlines regrets announcing/to announce the cancellation of today’s service to

Istanbul due to air traffic restrictions.

35. Do you remember seeing/to see that film last summer?

36. If you can’t find the information in the manual, try looking/to look at our website.

37. We were all exhausted so we stopped getting/to get some rest at a motel.

10e

Read the article below and then decide which word or phrase (A–C) best
fits each space. The exercise begins with an example (0).

DEATH IN THE AIR

The death of Emma Christofferson from deep-vein thrombosis allegedly caused by a twenty-

hour plane journey has led to calls for an enquiry into so-called ‘economy class syndrome’. The

cabin crew were shocked (0) ........... the previously healthy 28-year-old in a state of collapse at

the end of a long-haul flight from Australia to London. A blood clot had spread from her legs to

her lungs with fatal results. Experts believe her death is just the latest example of the growing

danger posed by (1) ..... for extended periods of time in cramped aircraft seats.

Farol Khan, director of the Aviation Health Institute, (2) ..... to have evidence that more

than 6,000 passengers a year die of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) as a result of long-haul flights.

Unfortunately, as symptoms often take some time (3) ....., the link between the condition and

flying is not always apparent. But there seems (4) ..... a clear relationship between the

occurrence of DVT and the steady reduction in the amount of legroom between seats in

economy class cabins. In a bid (5) ..... the number of passengers carried and their consequent

profitability, many airlines have squeezed more and more seats into their planes, at the cost of

comfort and legroom. And our (6) ..... these uncomfortable conditions is simply based on the fact

that we know more seats means lower prices. But with limited opportunities (7) ..... or move
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around, the blood circulation in passengers’ legs (8) ..... to slow down, and blood clots can

easily develop. Most at risk are elderly people, sufferers from heart conditions and smokers. But

as Emma Christofferson’s case shows, even the young and healthy can do little to prevent blood

clots (9) ... under these circumstances.

(10) ..... a ‘caring, sharing’ image is something many airlines are keen on, and some of

these have finally (11) ..... to take the problem more seriously by issuing health advice to

passengers ‘trapped’ on their long-haul flights. They usually recommend (12) ..... the legs and

feet regularly, and advise (13) ..... walks up and down the aisle at least once an hour. But, as

any experienced traveller knows, the aisles on most planes are only just wide enough for the

trolleys (14) ..... through. It is often impossible (15) ..... down the aisle (16) ..... to the toilets, let

alone (17) ..... exercise.

The truth is that until we are all prepared to (18) ... paying rock-bottom prices for long

distance travel, the airlines will have no incentive (19) ..... conditions. And a return to exclusive

and expensive air travel is something nobody would (20) ..... advocating.

A finding B to find C to be found

A sitting B to sit C sit

A suggests B admits C claims

A appearing B to appearC having appeared

A being B to be C be

A increasing B of increasingC to increase

A putting up with B put up with C to put up with

A stretching B to stretch C stretch

A begins B risks C can’t help

A occurring B to occur C occur

A promoting B to promote C to be promoted

A suggested B considered C started

A moving B to move C move

A taking B to take C take

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A getting B to get C get

A walking B to walk C walk

A getting B to get C get

A taking B to take C take

A give up B fail C refuse

A improving B to improve C improve

A undertake B choose C contemplate

10f

Complete the letter with suitable forms of words from the box below. The
first one has been done as an example (0).
ask attend be bring buy cash cook fill in find join knowlearn live let make open

say see take wonder write

Dear Mum and Dad,

So my first week at university is over! No lectures this morning so I thought I’d drop you a line

(0) .........to let............ you know how things are going.

I’m glad (1) ............. that everything has worked out fine in the hall of residence. I remembered

(2) ............. for a room as far away from the lifts as possible (they really are noisy) and they

found me a nice comfortable one on the second floor. The room’s not very large and I was a bit

shocked (3) ............. that ten people have to share one bathroom! And it’s a good thing you

recommended (4) ............. my own portable TV set from home as the one in the TV lounge is

permanently tuned to the sports channel. There’s also a little kitchenette on our corridor, so if I

feel like (5) ............. something for myself rather than eating in the canteen then that’s no

problem.

I think (6) ............. in a place like this is going to be a lot of fun. There are two other girls from my

course here and I plan (7) ............. friends with them so that we can help each other with the

course work. Everyone else seems very nice.

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As Monday was the first day it was devoted to administration, which involved (8) ............. lots of

forms. I got my student I.D. card and the timetable for this term. I’ve got a personal tutor and

he’s arranged (9) ............. me next week. The course coordinator persuaded me (10) .............

some extra courses which should be interesting. On Tuesday I managed (11) ............. a bank

account and I deposited my student loan cheque. I tried (12) ............. the cheque but the bank

said I will have to wait for it to clear. So I’ll have to delay (13) ............. books and things until next

week.

My first few lectures proved (14) ............. really fascinating. The lecturers really seem (15) .............

what they are talking about. Still, there’s a lot of work to do and I can’t help (16) ............. if I’ll be

able to keep up with it all, especially with all the distractions here. There are so many clubs and

societies, it’s incredible. I’m hoping (17) ............. the parachuting club, I’ve always fancied

(18) ............. how to do that!

Well, I’d better stop now, I’m going (19) ............. my first seminar this afternoon, so I’ve got some

preparation to do.

Anyway, I promise (20) ............. again soon,

love to everyone,

Charlotte

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