Ing Form or Infinitive
Infinitive or -ing?
Sometimes we need to decide whether to use a verb in its: * -ing form (doing, singing)
or * infinitive form (to do, to sing).
For example, only one of the following sentences is correct. Which one? * I dislike working late. (???) * I dislike to work late. (???)
When to use the infinitive
The infinitive form is used after certain verbs:
- forget*, remember*, help, learn, teach, train
- choose, expect, hope, need, offer, want, would like
- agree, encourage, pretend, promise
- allow, can/can't afford, decide, manage, mean, refuse * I forgot to close the window. * Mary needs to leave early. * Why are they encouraged to learn English? * We can't afford to take a long holiday.
The infinitive form is always used after adjectives, for example:
- disappointed, glad, happy, pleased, relieved, sad, surprised * I was happy to help them. * She will be delighted to see you.
This includes too + adjective: * The water was too cold to swim in. * Is your coffee too hot to drink?
The infinitive form is used after adjective + enough: * He was strong enough to lift it. * She is rich enough to buy two.
When to use -ing
The -ing form is used when the word is the subject of a sentence or clause: * Swimming is good exercise. * Doctors say that smoking is bad for you.
The -ing form is used after a preposition: * I look forward to meeting you. * They left without saying "Goodbye."
The -ing form is used after certain verbs:
- avoid, dislike, enjoy, finish, give up, mind/not mind, practise * I dislike getting up early. * Would you mind opening the window?
Some verbs can be followed by the -ing form or the infinitive without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start. * It started to rain. * It started raining. * I like to play tennis. * I like playing tennis.
MISSING:
TO stop (to begin a new action)
ask
Sometimes we need to decide whether to use a verb in its: * -ing form (doing, singing)
or * infinitive form (to do, to sing).
For example, only one of the following sentences is correct. Which one? * I dislike working late. (???) * I dislike to work late. (???)
When to use the infinitive
The infinitive form is used after certain verbs:
- forget*, remember*, help, learn, teach, train
- choose, expect, hope, need, offer, want, would like
- agree, encourage, pretend, promise
- allow, can/can't afford, decide, manage, mean, refuse * I forgot to close the window. * Mary needs to leave early. * Why are they encouraged to learn English? * We can't afford to take a long holiday.
The infinitive form is always used after adjectives, for example:
- disappointed, glad, happy, pleased, relieved, sad, surprised * I was happy to help them. * She will be delighted to see you.
This includes too + adjective: * The water was too cold to swim in. * Is your coffee too hot to drink?
The infinitive form is used after adjective + enough: * He was strong enough to lift it. * She is rich enough to buy two.
When to use -ing
The -ing form is used when the word is the subject of a sentence or clause: * Swimming is good exercise. * Doctors say that smoking is bad for you.
The -ing form is used after a preposition: * I look forward to meeting you. * They left without saying "Goodbye."
The -ing form is used after certain verbs:
- avoid, dislike, enjoy, finish, give up, mind/not mind, practise * I dislike getting up early. * Would you mind opening the window?
Some verbs can be followed by the -ing form or the infinitive without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start. * It started to rain. * It started raining. * I like to play tennis. * I like playing tennis.
MISSING:
TO stop (to begin a new action)
ask