Grammar summary | Unit 8

Verb patterns with -ing verb + -ing / verb + infinitive

and infinitive with similar meanings
verb + -ing These verbs can be followed by either of the patterns
without a significant change in the meaning of the sentence.
We always use the -ing form of the verb which follows these
verbs. These verbs are never followed by an infinitive. This begin continue hate like love prefer start
verb + -ing pattern is used with verbs that include:
We began working flexitime a couple of years ago.
avoid consider dislike enjoy finish We began to work flexitime a couple of years ago.
imagine keep mind practise recommend I don’t like eating ice cream in winter.
regret risk suggest I don’t like to eat ice cream in winter.

I dislike getting home late from work. verb + -ing / verb + infinitive
(I dislike to get home late from work.)
with different meanings
The negative form of this pattern is not + -ing:
I regret not talking to him before now. These verbs can be followed by both of the patterns, but
(I regret not to talk to him before now.) there is a change in the meaning of the sentence.

forget go on mean regret remember stop try

verb + to + infinitive
Did you remember to buy bread on your way home?
We use to + infinitive of the verb which follows these verbs.
We’ve run out. (= talking about an action that needs
These verbs are never followed by -ing. This verb + to +
to be done)
infinitive pattern is used with verbs that include:
Do you remember buying these souvenirs in Rome?
agree aim arrange choose decide (= talking about a past activity or a memory)
expect hope intend learn manage You didn’t like the company, so why did you go on
need plan prepare promise want
working there? (= why did you continue / carry on)
She learned to play the piano when she was 25. After leaving her job, Mary went on to work as a volunteer
(She learned playing the piano when she was 25.) for a charity. (= Mary changed the situation and did
something different)
The word order in the negative form is not + to + infinitive:
The mistake with the orders meant phoning every client
We agreed not to discuss the matter until the meeting.
personally. (= the result of something)
(We agreed to not discuss the matter until the meeting.)
Sorry. I meant to phone you last night, but I forgot.
▶ Exercises 1 and 2 (= an intention)
I regret saying John’s application was perfect – it wasn’t.
verb + object + to + infinitive (= to be sorry about something you did)
I regret to say your application wasn’t successful on this
We use to + infinitive of the verb when it follows these
occasion. (= a way of giving bad news in a formal situation)
verbs + object.
I forgot to go to my appointment last week.
allow ask encourage expect force (= talking about an action that needs to be done)
help invite need persuade remind I’Il never forget going to the beach for the first time.
teach tell want would like (= talking about a past activity or a memory)

I persuaded him not to leave his job. I’m going to stop having lunch at my desk. (= I won’t eat
Shall we invite Jim to come with us to the theatre? at my desk anymore)
I’m going to stop to have lunch in about half an hour.
verb + object + infinitive (= I’ll take a break so that I can have lunch)
I’ve tried sending her emails, but she doesn’t respond.
We use the infinitive of the verb without to when it follows (= talking about an action that was completed but didn’t
these verbs + object. have a positive result)
feel hear let make notice see watch I’ve tried to send her an email, but my connection isn’t
working today. (= talking about an attempt to do something
We heard the car hit the lamppost that wasn’t completed)
I didn’t notice Andy arrive today. Is he here?
▶ Exercises 5 and 6
▶ Exercises 3 and 4

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 EXERCISES 4 Complete the text with the correct form of these verbs.
There is one extra verb.
1 Choose the correct option to complete the sentences.
1 I practise speaking / to speak French whenever I can. be do find get give give up
go off invite learn set stop
2 I really enjoy working / to work with my colleagues.
3 Did they agree looking / to look at the ideas again?
I work all day and study in the evening, and recently
4 I can’t imagine not living / not to live in this great city.
it’s been getting too much. My friend suggested
5 When did your friend decide giving up / to give up his job? 1
my course, but I don’t want
6 We expect reaching / to reach our targets in all areas. 2
now. The course is nearly finished
7 Why would she risk losing / to lose her job like that?
and, anyway, I’ve always enjoyed 3
8 I dislike having / to have to queue for things.
things. In fact, I need 4 time to
2 Match the parts to make sentences. revise for the final exams next month. I could ask my
boss 5 me some time off work,
1 When I turned 30, I decided
but I don’t think he’d agree 6 that.
2 Nobody should avoid
I decided 7 my alarm clock for 6 am
3 After a year at home with his kids, he learned
hoping 8 some work done before
4 I think most of us need
breakfast. That was a disaster because I just didn’t hear
5 We can all consider
the alarm 9 ! Well, it’s not long to go
6 My sister’s planning
now. I don’t mind 10 exhausted if I
a making small changes to our daily routine. pass everything in the end.
b taking responsibility for their own lives.
c to appreciate his family life more.
5 Complete the sentences with the logical form of the verbs.
d to spend all her savings on a motorbike. 1 A: You seem a lot more relaxed lately.
e to stop all my bad habits and turn my life around. B: Yes, I stopped (check) my work mail
f to think about the balance in our lives. on my personal phone.
2 A: The place you stayed last weekend looks amazing.
3 Complete the conversations with the correct form
B: It was. We regretted not (stay) there
of the verbs.
longer.
1 A: Can you remind me (book) a 3 A: Why did you stop (talk) to that man?
room for the meeting? B: Oh, he goes to my gym. He’s a nice guy.
B: Of course. Or would you like me 4 A: Did you remember (buy) the tickets
(do) it for you? It’s no for the play next week?
problem. B: Of course. They’re on the kitchen table.
5 A: I was awake for hours last night – I just can’t get
2 A: We’re going to watch our team
to sleep.
(play) football tomorrow.
B: Have you tried (eat) an apple before
B: Do you expect them (win)?
you go to bed? Apparently that helps.
The other team is pretty strong.
6 A: Your sister was really successful at Smith’s, wasn’t
3 A: I don’t think we can force staff she?
(come) in on Saturdays, B: Yes. After her first promotion, she went on
do you? (be) CEO eventually.
B: No. But I heard Paulina (say)
she needed some extra money this month. 6 Correct the mistake in each sentence.
4 A: I wonder if the golf club will let us 1 Sorry, I forgot tell the neighbours about our party!
(use) their room for a party? 2 I recommend to you read this book – it’s great.
B: Probably – they allowed Harry 3 Taking a break can help you to avoid get stressed.
(have) a chess tournament there. 4 My company doesn’t allow to do flexitime.
5 My friend asked me to not phone him too early.
6 I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want that you know.

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