-Ing forms and infinitives

We use the -ing forms

• Sometimes as a noun: Dancing is my favourite hobby.

• After all prepositions, including particles of phrasal verbs: I learned to play the guitar by practising. I’ve given up smoking.

• After certain expressions/prepositional phrases: I’m fed up with doing exams.

• As the second part of a compound adjective: He’s very good-looking.

1) -ing forms

• After certain verbs: 1. Sarah enjoys going to school. 2. I’m considering going to college.

• After prepositions: He’s looking forward to going to University. Is there any point in studying literature?

• In certain expressions:It’s no good/use waiting.It’s not worth waiting.It’s a waste of time asking.I’m having difficulty/problems concentrating.We spend a lot of time revising.

2. To-infinitive

After certain verbs/phrases:I want to study medicine.My friends taught me to swim.I can’t afford to go on holiday.

Agree, appear, arrange, ask, attempt, care, choose, decide, expect, …

• After certain adjectives or nouns:It’s hard to learn language well.It’s my ambition to be a doctor.

3. Bare infinitive

• After make/let:The teacher let me go home.

• After certain expression:I’d rather not go.You’d better do your homework.

• After most modal verbs:I might see you later.

• (!!Be careful of ought to: We ought to leave now.)

4. -ing form vs infinitive

• I like to play/playing tennis on Saturday (specific situation)small change of meaning: begin, continue, start

• A. I remember starting primary school (memory of a past event)

• B. I must remember to do my homework tonight. (I mustn’t forget) Complete change in meaning: forget, go on, mean, regret, remember, stop, try

• A. I heard my friend shout (completed action)• B. I heard my friend shouting (action in

progress)