Unit 56: Verb + -ing or to ... 1 (remember/regret ect.)

English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 56: Verb + -ing or to ... 1 (remember/regret ect.)

Some verbs are followed by -ing and some are followed by to ... .

Verbs usually followed by -ing:

admit
fancy
postpone
avoid
finish
risk
consider
imagine
stop
deny
keep (on)
suggest
enjoy
mind

For exam ples, see Unit 53.

Verbs usually followed by to ... :

afford
fail
offer
agree
forget
plan
arrange
hope
promise
decide
learn
refuse
deserve
manage
threaten

For examples, see Unit 54.

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.
You remember doing something after you have done it.

I know I locked t he door. I clearly remember locking it. (= I locked it, and now I remember this)
He could remember driving along the road just before the accident, but he couldn't remember the accident itself.

I remembered to do something = I remembered that I had t o do it , so I did it.
You remember to do something before you do it.

I remembered to lock the door, but I forgot to shut the windows. (= I remembered that I had to lock it, and so I locked it)
I must remember to pay the electricity bill. (= I must not forget to pay it)

regret

I regret doing something = I did it and now I'm sorry about it:

I now regret saying what I said. I shouldn't have said it.
Do you regret not going to college?

I regret to say / to tell you / to inform you = I'm sorry that I have to say (etc.):

(from a formal letter) We regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful.

go on

Go on doing something = continue with the same thing:

The president paused for a moment and then went on talking.
We need to change. We can't go on living like this.

Go on to do something = do or say something new:

After discussing the economy, the president then went on to talk about foreign policy.

The following verbs can be followed by -ing or to .. . with no difference of meaning:

begin
start
continue
intend
bother

So you can say:

It started raining. or It started to rain.
Andy intends buying a house. or Andy 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)

56.1 Put the verb into the correct form, -ing or to ....

They denied ⁽¹⁾ the money. (steal)
I don't enjoy ⁽²⁾ __________ very much. (drive)
I can't afford ⁽³⁾ __________ out tonight. I don't have enough money. (go)
Has it stopped ⁽⁴⁾ __________ yet? (rain)
We were unlucky to lose the game. We deserved ⁽⁵⁾ __________ . (win)
Why do you keep ⁽⁶⁾ __________ me questions? Can't you leave me alone? (ask)
Please stop ⁽⁷⁾ __________ me questions! (ask)
I refuse ⁽⁸⁾ __________ any more questions. (answer)
The driver of one of the cars admitted ⁽⁹⁾ __________ the accident. (cause)
Mark needed our help, and we promised ⁽¹⁰⁾ __________ what we could. (do)
I don't mind ⁽¹¹⁾ __________ alone, but it's better to be with other people. (be)
The wall was quite high, but I managed ⁽¹²⁾ __________ over it. (climb)
'Does Sarah know about the meeting?' 'No, I forgot ⁽¹³⁾ __________ her.' (tell)
I've enjoyed ⁽¹⁴⁾ __________ to you. I hope ⁽¹⁵⁾ __________ you again soon. (talk, see)

56.2 Tom can remember some things about his childhood, but he can't remember others. Complete the sentences.

He was in hospital when he was a small child. He can still remember this
when he was a small child.
He went to Paris with his parents when he was eight. He remembers this.
He remembers __________ with his parents when he was eight.
He cried on his first day at school. He doesn't remember this.
He doesn't __________ on his first day at school.
Once he fell into the river. He can remember this.
He __________ .
He said he wanted to be a doctor. He can't remember this.
__________ to be a doctor.
Once he was bitten by a dog. He doesn't remember this.
__________ a dog.

56.3 Complete each sentence with a verb in the correct form, -ing or to ... . Sometimes either form is possible.

Please remember the door when you go out.
A: You lent me some money a few months ago.
B: Did I? Are you sure? I don't remember __________ you any money.
A: Did you remember __________ your sister?
B: Oh no, I completely forgot. I'll phone her tomorrow.
When you see Steve, remember __________ hello to him from me.
Someone must have taken my bag. I clearly remember __________ it by the window and now it has gone.
I believe that what I said was right. I don't regret __________ it.
I knew they were in trouble, but I regret __________ I did nothing to help them.
It started to get cold, and he regretted not __________ his coat.
Ben joined the company nine years ago. He became assistant manager after two years, and a few years later he went on __________ manager of the company.
I can't go on __________ here any more. I want a different job.
When I came into the room, Lisa was reading a newspaper. She looked up and said hello, and then went on __________ her newspaper.
If the company continues __________ money, the factory may be closed.
Julia has been ill, but now she's beginning __________ better.
The baby started __________ in the middle of the night.

Answer Key

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