Verb + - ing and verb + to- infinitive 1.4
When do we use verb + - ing and verb + to- infinitive ? She misses playing her guitar. I don’t mind helping, but I ’d prefer to do it tomorrow, not today. They forgot to buy the tickets. We use the - ing form after some verbs and prepositions, and the to- infinitive after others. Copyright © 2 020 by Pearson Education Wider World 3
There are three - ing forms. Look ! How many examples of - ing forms can you find in this text ? How many examples of to- infinitives ? I love staying up late. On Saturday nights, I sometimes start to watch a film at 11 p.m. I’d like to stay up late on weekday nights too, but my parents don’t allow me to do that. Instead, I agree to go to bed at 10. I try to sleep, but I’m not very good at sleeping at that time. I prefer lying in bed all morning. Copyright © 2 020 by Pearson Education Wider World 3 There are five to- infinitives.
verb + - ing How do we make sentences with verb + - ing and verb + to- infinitive ? Copyright © 2 020 by Pearson Education Wider World 3 I avoid using flash in my camera. I can’t stand smiling for photos. She ’s good at designing posters. I ’m looking forward to seeing my grandpa. verb + to - infinitive They offered to bring some food. She ’s trying to hide from the camera. I ’d love ( would love) to have a camera like his. I hope to take better photos in the future. We use the to- infinitive after agree, allow, ask, choose, decide, forget, hope, learn, offer, plan, try, want, would like. We use verb + - ing after avoid, can’t stand, enjoy, finish, (not) mind, miss, practise, stop. The - ing form is also used after prepositions.
How do we make sentences with verb + - ing and verb + to- infinitive ? Copyright © 2 020 by Pearson Education Wider World 3 verb + - ing OR verb + to- infinitive He loves taking photos of cats. He loves to take photos of cats. I started tidying my room an hour ago! I started to tidy my room an hour ago! These verbs include : like, love, hate, prefer, start. Some verbs can have either a verb + - ing or a to- infinitive after them. The meaning is the same.
A: What are you planning 1 to do / doing at the weekend, Josh? B: I don’t know. I want 2 to write / writing the French essay. Finish 3 to write / writing it, in fact. A: That doesn’t sound very exciting! B: Well, no, it doesn’t. I can’t stand 4 to learn / learning French. What about you, Jessica? A: Well, I’m trying 5 to earn / earning some money for a new camera. My old one is broken. I can help my uncle in his garden. He is offering 6 to pay / paying me five pounds an hour. In fact, he wants me 7 to bring / bringing a friend too. There’s enough work for two people with planting apple trees. B: That’s great! I need some cash. And I’m really good at 8 to plant / planting ! A: Really? That’s great! Choose the correct options. Practice Time Copyright © 2 020 by Pearson Education Wider World 3
