VERBS THAT TAKE GERUND OR INFINITIVE

WITH A CHANGE IN MEANING

1. Forget
-Forget + gerund
a. I will never forget calling Jill for the first time.
-I first called Jill for a long time ago, but I will never
forget this event.)

-Forget + infinitive
b. I forgot to call Jill yesterday, so I couldn’t give her
the news.
-I didn't call Jill yesterday.
2. Remember
Remember + gerund
a. I am absolutely sure I locked the door. I clearly
remembered locking the door.
-I locked it, and now I remember this.

Remember +infinitive
b. I remembered to lock the door when I left.
-I remembered that I had to lock the door while I was
leaving the house, so I locked it.
3. Regret
Regret + gerund
a. I regret telling you that your father is ill.
- I regret that I have told you that your father is ill.

Regret + infinitive
b. I regret to tell you that your father is ill.
-I am sorry to tell you that your father is ill.
4. Stop
Stop + gerund
a. She stopped smoking on the doctor’s advice.
-She didn’t smoke any longer.

Stop + infinitive
b. She stopped to smoke a cigarette.
- She stopped whatever she was doing in order to
smoke a cigarette.
5. Try
Try + gerund
a. I couldn’t get to sleep. I tried reading a book, then I
tried listening to music. However, they didn’t work.

Try + infinitive
b. I tried to sleep in spite of the noise coming outside.
I made an effort to do it.