J The Infinitive / -ing form / Participles

6 Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the infinitive or -ing form.

Steam trains were replaced by electric ones years ago, so when the newspaper I work for heard that the ‘Black
Admiral’ steam engine had been restored, they decided 1) ...to send... (send) me on its first trip. I didn't
object to 2) going (go) even though I generally dislike 3) travelling (travel) by train. In fact I was looking
forward 4) to seeing (see) something I had never seen before. When I arrived at the station I saw lots
of people 5) celebrating (celebrate) the rebirth of the Admiral, and I was glad 6) to be (be) part of
the party. At 2 o’clock everyone was ready 7) to board (board) the train. I settled myself into a
compartment where I was soon joined by an old man who claimed 8) to have been (be) one of
the original workers on the Admiral. He claimed 9) to have been working/to have worked (work)
for a penny a day, and told me how much he had hated 10) being covered (be/covered) in
coal dust all the time. His family had been too poor 11) to buy (buy) more than the basic
necessities. It was a sad story, but it was a pleasure 12) to listen (listen) to him. At every
station people were waiting 13) to greet (greet) the train, and it was exciting 14) to see (see)
the spectators’ faces as the past seemed 15) to come/to have come (come) alive again. If all
trains were as appealing as the Black Admiral, I would choose 16) to travel (travel) by train all

Verbs taking to-infinitive or -ing form without a change in meaning

• began
begin, continue, intend, start + to-inf or -ing form. We don’t normally have two -ing forms together. She
dancing /to dance (NOT: She is beginning donoing.)
•
•
advise,allow, encourage, permit, require + object + to-inf. He advised me to stay indoors.
advise, allow, encourage, permit, require + -ing form. He advised staying indoors.
• indoors.
be advised, be allowed, be encouraged, be permitted, be required + to-inf. We were advised to stay

• The
need, require, want + to-inf/-ing form/passive inf.
trees need to be pruned.
need to prune the
You The trees need pruning
trees.

Complete the sentences using the words in bold. Use two to five words.

1 We are allowed to take a one-hour lunch break.

allow They ...allow us to take... a one-hour lunch break.
2 They require employees to work on Saturdays.
required Employees are required to work on Saturdays.
3 You need to improve your handwriting considerably.
needs Your handwriting needs to be improved considerably.
4 She has been learning German since last year.
began She began learning German last year.
5 They advised us against drinking the water.
were We were advised not to drink the water.

For Thomas 1) ...to agree... (agree) to go on a walking holiday was very surprising. He usually hated
2) doing (do) outdoor activities of any kind. We thought we’d have difficulty in 3) persuading (persuade) him but
it was his idea 4) to set off (set off) the very next day. We suggested 5) going (go) to the Lake District as it would
be the best place 6) to find (find) hotel rooms each night. Though we’d have preferred 7) to take (take) the
coach, Thomas encouraged us 8) to travel (travel) by train. We decided 9) to meet (meet) at the station early the
next morning as we wanted 10) to be (be) in Carlisle by midday. Imagine the look on our faces when Thomas
arrived on a huge, brand-new motorbike. “Do you think I’ll be allowed 11) to take (take) it on the train?” he said
“It needs 12) running in/to be run in (run in) and this holiday’s the ideal time 13) to do (do) it!”

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 The Infinitive / -ing form / Participles
Verbs taking to-infinitive or -ing form with a change in meaning

1 forget + to-inf (= fail to remember to do sth) 7 try + to-inf (= do one’s best; attempt)
He forgot to turn off the radio. Try to throw the ball into the basket.
forget + -ing form (= not recall a past event) try + -ing form (= do sth as an experiment)
/7/ never forget seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time. Try cooking with olive oil, you might find it
2 remember + to-inf (= not forget to do sth) improves the taste.
Please remember to feed the dog before leaving. 8 want + to-inf (= wish) I want to go home.
remember + -ing form (= recall a past event) want + -ing form (= sth needs to be done)
/ don't remember seeing him at the party last night. These windows want cleaning.
3 mean + to-inf (= intend to) 9 stop + to-inf (= pause temporarily).
She means to study art in Paris this summer. Can we stop here to admire the view?
mean + -ing form (= involve) stop + -ing form (= finish; cease)
/ won’t go if it means taking the train during rush hour. He stopped studying and switched on the TV.
4 go on + to-inf (= finish doing sth and start doing sth
else; then; afterwards) 10 be sorry + to-inf (= regret) I was sorry to
hear he failed his exam.
He pruned the hedges, then went on to mow the lawn.
go on + -ing form (= continue) be sorry for + -ing form (= apologise for)
We went on dancing until we got tired. She was sorry for yelling at him.
5 regret + to-inf (= be sorry to) I regret to inform you that 11 hate + to-inf (= not like what one is about to do)
there are no seats on the 12.30 flight. I hate to argue, but you are definitely wrong.
regret + -ing form (= have second thoughts about sth hate + -ing form (= feel sorry for what one is
already done) doing)
He regrets buying such an expensive sports car. / hate bothering you at such a late hour.
6 would prefer + to-inf (specific preference) 12 be afraid + to-inf (= be too frightened to do sth;
I’d prefer to eat at this restaurant. hesitate) She was afraid to jump into the pool.
prefer + -ing form (in general) / prefer reading spy stories. be afraid of + -ing form (= be afraid that what
prefer + to-inf + rather than + inf without to is referred to by the -ing form may happen)
/ prefer to drive to work rather than take the bus. When driving in the rain, I’m afraid of skidding
on the wet road.

Put the verbs in brackets into the infinitive or -ing form.

1 A: I’ll never forget ...travelling... (travel) across America.

B: Yes, but you forgot to send (send) me a postcard, didn’t you?
2 A: I hate to ask (ask) you, but can you help me with the housework?
B: Sure, but remember I hate doing (do) the vacuuming.
3 A: The door wants fixing (fix).
B: I know. I wanted to ask (ask) the carpenter to come and have a look but I forgot.
4 A: I’m sorry to put (put) you in such a difficult position.
B: It’s OK. I’m sorry for shouting (shout) at you.
5 A: I’d prefer to spend (spend) this weekend at home.
B: Really? I prefer going out (go out) whenever I’ve got free time.
6 A: Did he go on talking (talk) about the same boring topics all night?
B: No, he went on to show (show) us his holiday photos.
7 A: Don’t be afraid to talk (talk) to her in French.
B: I can’t. I’m afraid of making (make) mistakes.
8 A: Oh, I meant to tell (tell) you there’s a job vacancy at the chemist’s.
B: Well, I won’t apply if it means working (work) at the weekend.
9 A: Why don’t you try taking (take) a different medicine if you’re still ill?
B: I think I’ll just try to get (get) some more sleep.

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