When one verb follows another verb, the structure is usually verb + ~ing or verb + to ... Compare:
verb + ~ing
* They denied stealing the money.
* I enjoy going out.
Often we use ~ing for an action that happens before the first verb or at the same time:
stealing <- denied verb + to ...
* They decided to steal the money.
* I want to go out.
Often we use to... for an action that follows the first verb:
decided -> to steal want -> to go
This difference is often helpful (see Section B) but does not explain all uses of ~ing and to...
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'm absolutely sure I locked the 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 happened, but he couldn't remember the accident itself.
I remembered to do something = I remembered that I had to do it, and so I did it.
You remember to do something before you do it:
* 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)
* 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 now regret saying what I said. I shouldn't have said it.
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 we are unable to offer you the job.
go on
Go on doing something = continue doing the same thing:
* The minister went on talking for two hours.
* We must change our ways. We can't go on living like this.
Go on to do something = do or say something new:
* After discussing the economy, the minister then went on to talk about foreign policy.
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
55.1 Put the verb into the correct form, ~ing or to... . Sometimes either form is possible.
1. They denied _stealing_ the money. (steal)
2. I don't enjoy --- very much. (drive)
3. I don't want --- out tonight. I'm too tired. (go)
4. I can't afford --- out tonight. I haven't got enough money. (go)
5. Has it stopped --- yet? (rain)
6. Can you remind me --- some coffee when we go out? (buy)
7. Why do you keep --- me questions? Can't you leave me alone? (ask)
8. Please stop --- me questions! (ask)
9. I refuse --- any more questions. (answer)
10. One of the boys admitted --- the window. (break)
11. The boy's father promised --- for the window to be repaired. (pay)
12. Ann was having dinner when the phone rang. She didn't answer the phone; she just carried on ---. (eat)
13. 'How did the thief get into the house?' 'I forgot --- the window.' (shut)
14. I've enjoyed --- you. (meet) I hope --- you again soon. (see)
15. The baby began --- in the middle of the night. (cry)
16. Julia has been ill but now she's beginning --- better. (get)
55.2 Here is some information about Tom when be was a child.
1. He was in hospital when he was four.
2. He went to Paris when he was eight.
3. Once he fell into a river.
4. He cried on his first day at school.
5. He said he wanted to be a doctor.
6. Once he was bitten by a dog.
He can still remember 1, 2 and 4. But be can't remember 3, S and 6. Write sentences beginning He can remember ... or He can't remember...
1. He can remember being in hospital when he was four.
2. ---
3. ---
4. ---
5. ---
6. ---
55.3 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.
55.1
2 driving 3 to go
4 to go 5 raining
6 to buy 7 asking
8 asking 9 to answer
10 breaking 11 to pay
12 eating 13 to shut
14 meeting ... to see
15 crying or to cry
16 to get
55.2
2 He can remember going to Paris when he was eight.
3 He can't remember falling into a river.
4 He can remember crying on his first day at school.
5 He can't remember saying he wanted to be a doctor. or He can't remember wanting to be.
6 He can't remember being bitten by a dog.
55.3
1 b. lending
c. to phone
d. to give
e. leaving/putting
2 a. saying
b. to say or to tell you
3 a. to become
b. working
c. reading
