Exercises

54.1 Complete the questions, Use do you want me to...? or would you like me to...? with one of these verbs (+ any other necessary words): come lend repeat show shut wait

1. Do you want to go alone or _do you want me to come with you? _

2. Have you got enough money or do you want ---?

3. Shall I leave the window open or would you ---?

4. Do you know how to use the machine or would ---?

5. Did you hear what I said or do ---?

6. Can I go now or do ---?

54.2 Complete the sentences for each situation.

1. Look the door. OK.

She told him to lock the door.

2. Why don't you come and stay with us for a few day? Yes, I'd love to.

They invited him ---

3. Can I use your phone? No!

She wouldn't let ---

4. Be careful. Don't worry. I will.

She warned ---

5. Can you give me a hand? Yes, of course.

He asked ---

54.3 Complete these sentences so that the meaning is similar to the first sentence.

1. My father said I could use his car.

My father allowed _me to use his car._

2. I was surprised that it rained.

I didn't expect ---

3. Don't stop him doing what he wants.

Let ---

4. He looks older when he wears glasses.

Glasses make ---

5. I think you should know the truth.

I want ---

6. Don't let me forget to phone my sister.

Remind ---

7. At first I didn't want to apply for the job but Sarah persuaded me.

Sarah persuaded ---

8. My lawyer said I shouldn't say anything to the police.

My lawyer advised ---

9. I was told that I shouldn't believe everything he says.

I was warned ---

10. If you've got a car, you are able to travel round more easily.

Having a car enables ---

54.4 Put the verb in the right form: ~ing or infinitive (with or without to).

1. She doesn't allow smoking in the house. (smoke)

2. I've never been to Iceland but I'd like --- there. (go)

3. I'm in a difficult position. What do you advise me ---? (do)

4. She said the letter was personal and wouldn't let me ---it. (read)

5. We were kept at the police station for two hours and then we were allowed --- (go)

6. Where would you recommend me --- for my holidays? (go)

7. I wouldn't recommend --- in that restaurant. The food is awful. (eat)

8. The film was very sad. It made me --- (cry)

9. Carol's parents always encouraged her --- hard at school. (study)

UNIT 55 Verb + ~ing or to... (1) (remember/regret etc.)

A. 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...

B. 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.

C. 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')