
Verb + -ing or to… (1)
Изучаем речевые конструкции английского языка, для построения которых использован глаголы remember/regret (помнить/сожалеть) с инговым ( -ing) окончанием или после глагола стоит частичка «to»
И практикуемся в использовании таких английских предложений
A. When one verb follows another verb, the structure is usually verb + -ing or verb + to…
Compare:
verb + -ing |
verb + to… | |
They denied stealing the money. | They decided to steal the money. | |
I enjoy going out. | I want to go out. | |
Often we use -ing for an action that happens before the first verb or at the same time: | Often we use to… for an action that follows the first verb: | |
denied <— stealing | decided —> to steal | |
enjoy <—> going | want —> to go |
This difference is often helpful but does not explain all uses of -ing and to…
B. Some verbs can be followed by -ing or to… with a difference of meaning:
remember
I remember doing something = I did it and now I remember this. | I remembered to do something = I remembered that I had to do it, and so I did it. | |
You remember doing something after you have done it: | You remember to do something before you do it: | |
I’m absolutely sure I locked the door. I clearly remember locking it. (= I locked it, and now I remember this) | I remembered to lock the door when I left but I forgot to shut the windows. (= I remembered that I had to lock the door and so I locked it) | |
He could remember driving along the road just before the accident happened, but he couldn’t remember the accident itself. | Please remember to post the letter. (= don’t forget to post it) |
regret
I regret doing something = I did it and now I’m sorry about it: | I regret to say / to tell you / to inform you = I’m sorry that I have to say (etc.): | |
I now regret saying what I said. I shouldn’t have said it. | (from a formal letter) We regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you the job. |
go on
Go on doing something = continue doing the same thing: | Go on to do something = do or say something new: | |
The minister went on talking for two hours. | After discussing the economy, the minister then went on to talk about foreign policy. | |
We must change our ways. We can’t go on living like this. |
C. begin start intend continue bother
These verbs can be followed by -ing or to… with little or no difference in meaning. So you can say:
- It has started raining, or It has started to rain.
- John intends buying a house, or John intends to buy…
- Don’t bother locking the door. or Don’t bother to lock…
But normally we do not use -ing after -ing:
- It’s starting to rain. (not ‘it’s starting raining’)
EXERCISES
1 Put the verb into the correct form, -ing or to… . Sometimes either form is possible.
- They denied …stealing... the money, (steal)
- I don’t enjoy ………………………………… very much. (drive)
- I don’t want………………………………… out tonight. I’m too tired, (go)
- I can’t afford ………………………………… out tonight. I haven’t got enough money, (go)
- Has it stopped ………………………………… yet? (rain)
- Can you remind me ………………………………… some coffee when we go out? (buy)
- Why do you keep ……………………………. me questions? Can’t you leave me alone? (ask)
- Please stop ………………………………… me questions! (ask)
- I refuse ………………………………… any more questions, (answer)
- One of the boys admitted ………………………………… the window, (break)
- The boy’s father promised ……………………………… for the window to be repaired, (pay)
- Ann was having dinner when the phone rang. She didn’t answer the phone; she just carried on…………………………………. (eat)
- ‘How did the thief get into the house?’ T forgot………………………………… the window.’ (shut)
- I’ve enjoyed ………………………………. you. (meet) I hope …………………………… you again soon. (see)
- The baby began ………………………………… in the middle of the night, (cry)
- Julia has been ill but now she’s beginning ………………………………… better, (get)
2 Here is some information about Tom when he was a child.
- He was in hospital when he was four.
- He went to Paris when he was eight. r.
- Once he fell into a river.
- He cried on his first day at school.
- He said he wanted to be a docto
- Once he was bitten by a dog.
He can still remember 1, 2 and 4. But he can’t remember 3, 5 and 6.
Write sentences beginning He can remember… or He can’t remember… .
- He can remember being in hospital when he was four….
- ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3 Complete these sentences with a suitable verb in the correct form, -ing or to… .
1. a Please remember …to lock. the door when you go out.
b A: You lent me some money a few months ago.
B: Did I? Are you sure? I don’t remember ………………………………… you any money.
c A: Did you remember ………………………………… your sister?
B: Oh no, I completely forgot. I’ll phone her tomorrow.
d When you see Mandy, remember ………………………………. her my regards, won’t you?
e Someone must have taken my bag. I clearly remember ………………………………… it by the
window and now it has gone.
2 a I believe that what I said was fair. I don’t regret………………………………… it.
b (after a driving test) I regret ……………………………… that you have failed the test.
3 a Keith joined the company 15 years ago. He was quickly promoted and became assistant manager after two years. A few years later he went on …………………. manager of the company.
b I can’t go on ………………………………… here any more. I want a different job.
c When I came into the room, Liz was reading a newspaper. She looked up and said hello to me, and then went on ………………………………… her newspaper.