GERUND versus INFINITIVE

Exercise 1. Complete the sentences with the gerund or the infinitive of the verbs in brackets. 1. Can you fancy (win) $100 from Mr Brown at cards? 2. Do you enjoy (dance) ? 3. I refuse (participate) in the meeting? 4. You should avoid (hurt) Mrs Clarks feelings. 5. I promise (return) the books soon. 6. Im sorry I cant stand (watch) television every day. 7. Would you mind (bring) a bottle of champagne? 8. When I am abroad, I will certainly miss (see) my friends. 9. I am against (make) any complaints. 10. Its no use (cry) over spilt milk. 11. People used (make) fire by (rub) two sticks together. 12. He was fined for (drive) without lights. 13. After (read) this article you will give up (smoke). 14. Is there anything here worth (buy)? 15. They agreed (divide) the profits regularly. 16. I dont feel like (work), what about (go) to a disco instead? 17. Im afraid I cant stand (sit) on chairs like that one. 18. She didnt really fancy (go) to the cinema, so she stayed at home. 19. I hope (meet) a lot of interesting people while Im there. 20. I used (enjoy) (listen) to pop music, but my testes have changed. 21. She promised (let) me know the results as soon as they came out. 22. In the winter months I miss (lie) in the sun on the beach. 23. Excuse me, but would you mind (open) the door for me? 24. I think I would like (lie) down for a bit, if thats alright. 25. Do you mind (wait) for the steak a few minutes longer? 26. The main idea is (prevent) the other team (score) more goals.

hear, listen to, notice, see, watch, feel + sb + do

It is used to describe a complete action, something that somebody saw, heard, etc. from beginning to end, e.g. I listened to James sing a song. (I listened to the song from the beginning to end.)

hear, listen to, notice, see, watch, feel + sb + doing

It is used to describe an incomplete action, that is to say that somebody saw, heard, etc. only a part of the action, e.g. I listened to James singing a song. (I listened to part of the song. I didnt listen to the whole song.)

Exercise 3. Put the verbs into the gerund or the bare infinitive (without to). 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. I watched her (get up) and (walk) slowly out of the room. I heard the phone (ring) twice and then stop. Tim and Jill (stand) outside the butchers as he was driving to work. Jane stopped to watch the river (flow) down the mountainside. Listen to the wind (blow) through the trees. We heard the workmen (drill) the road as we were eating breakfast. The witness saw the burglar (break into) the house and steal the television. Listen to he (sing) the song and then tell us what you think of it.

Exercise 4. Put the verbs in brackets into the gerund or the infinitive. 1. A: Mum, this programmes nearly finished. Cant I go on (watch) TV for a while? B: No, I want you to do your Maths homework and then go on (write) your English essay. You havent even started it yet and its due tomorrow. 2. A: Why dont we stop (get) something to eat on the way home? B: OK, but we should really stop (spend) money on junk food. 3. A: Did you remember (tell) him about the party? B: I dont remember (tell) him, but Im sure I did. 4. A: Do you regret (offer) him the job? B: Yes, I regret (say) hes not a reliable employee. 5. A: Did you mean (park) so far away? B: Yes, otherwise it would mean (pay) to get into a car park. 6. A: Ive been trying (contact) Mr Isaacs all morning. B: Why dont you try (phone) his club? 7. Do you remember (meet) her at my house last year? 8. Please remember (wipe) your feet before coming in. 9. I completely forgot (lock) the front door last night. 10. Dont forget (bring) your bathing suit with you. 11. I regret (inform) you that your injury will prevent you from playing any more matches this season. 12. He regrets (argue) with the referee as it resulted in his being sent off the pitch. 13. the cyclist had to stop (mend) a flat tyre during the race. 14. You should sop (smoke) if you want to enter the marathon next year. Exercise 5. Complete the sentences by putting the verbs in brackets into the gerund or the infinitive. 1. On the way to London, he stopped (get) some petrol. 2. Im sorry I forgot (send) you a birthday card. 3. She stopped (eat) chocolate because she wanted to lose some weight. 4. I hope you will remember (do) all the things I have asked you. 5. Why dont try (open) the tin with a coin? 6. Im sure hes a doctor. I remember (talk) to him about his work the other day. 7. He always regretted (not go) to university. 8. I regret (say) I wont be able to come to the wedding. 9. They were talking very loudly. I couldnt help (overhear) them. 10. He looks so funny. Whenever I see him, I cant stop (smile). 11. I was very tired. I tried (keep) my eyes open but I couldnt. 12. I rand the doorbell but there was no answer. Then I tried (knock) on the door but there was still no answer. Exercise 6. Use an ing form, or to + infinitive, of the word in brackets to complete each sentence.

1. You say that Ive met Janet, but I cant remember her. I cant remember (meet) Janet. 2. Please remember that you must buy some stamps. Please remember (buy) some stamps. 3. We wanted to open the door, but we couldnt We tried (open) the door. 4. John met Madonna once. Hell never forget it. John will never forget (meet) Madonna. 5. Sheila intended to phone Peter, but she forgot. Sheila forgot (phone) Peter. 6. Jenny had a headache. She took an aspirin, but it didnt help. Jenny tried (take) an aspirin for her headache. 7. I have a special soap that will probably get your hands clean. Try (wash) your hands with this special soap. 8. It will not be easy to do all the work today. Well try (finish) the work before tonight. 9. I stayed in Janes flat while she was on holiday. I remembered that I had to feed her cats every day. I remembered (feed) Janes cats every day while she was on holiday. 10. Remember that you must invite Mary to the party next week. Dont forget (invite) Mary to the party next week. Exercise 7. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the words given. 1. Rita, could I borrow your dictionary? MIND Rita, me your dictionary? 2. Its impossible for me not to laugh when he starts singing. HELP I cant when he starts singing. 3. I dont like playing football very much. KEEN I playing football. 4. I hate it when Im ill. STAND I ill, 5. Andrea doesnt usually arrive late. UNUSUAL It arrive late. 6. Do you know where theyre going to hold the Olympic Games in 2008? PLACE Do you know where the Olympic Games are going in 2008? 7. I cant play tennis very well. GOOD I playing tennis.

Exercise 9. Complete the sentences with the gerund or the infinitive of the verbs in brackets. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Stop (argue) and start (work). I suggest (hold) another meeting next week. Its difficult to get used to (eat) with chopsticks. If you cant turn the key, try (put) some oil in the lock. Imagine (live) with someone who never stops (talk). Would you mind (show) me how (work) the lift? If a thing is worth (do) it is worth (do) well. I advise you (start) (look) for a flat at once.

9. I suggest (phone) the hospitals before (ask) the police (look) for him. 10. He hates (answer) the phone and often lets it (ring). 11. After (hear) the conditions I decided (not enter) the competition. 12. Please go on (write); I dont mind (wait). Exercise 10. Fill in the correct form of the verbs in the brackets the infinitive with or without to. 1. He shouldn't (drive) today. He's just found out that his wife wants (divorce) him. 2. It is very easy for the Polish (be) wise after the accident has happened. 3. I was disappointed (find out) that you had refused (repair) my mother's house. Last week you offered (help) her. 4. I think you should (try) (speak) more clearly. Nobody wants (talk) with people who seem (be) drunk. 5. We were all afraid (touch) the spider, that came on my leg. We tried (frighten) it. We were shouting and waiting for it (escape). 6. I'm sorry (take) you away now but it's time (come back). 7. I don't want (learn) it now. I'd rather put the exam off for a week. I'm afraid it's impossible but you can try (ask) the headmaster. 8. It is very important for you (behave) carefully at the meeting. 9. Tom invited me (have) lunch with him but I refused (meet) him because I had (pick up) my sister from school. 10. It was very stupid for you (sign) the contract without being able (understand) everything in it.