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.

UNIT 56. Verb + ~ing or to... (2) (try/need/help)

A. Try to... and try ~ing

Try to do = attempt to do, make an effort to do:

* I was very tired. I tried to keep my eyes open but I couldn't.

* Please try to be quiet when you come home. Everyone will be asleep.

Try also means 'do something as an experiment or test'. For example:

* These cakes are delicious. You must try one. (= you must have one to see if you like it)

* We couldn't find anywhere to stay. We tried every hotel in the town but they were

all full. (= we went to every hotel to see if they had a room)

If try (with this meaning) is followed by a verb, we say try ~ing:

* A: The photocopier doesn't seem to be working.

B: Try pressing the green button. (= press the green button - perhaps this will help to solve the problem)

Compare:

* I tried to move the table but it was too heavy. (so I couldn't move it)

* I didn't like the way the furniture was arranged, so I tried moving the table to the other side of the room. But it still didn't look right, so I moved it back again.

B. Need to... and need ~ing

I need to do something = it is necessary for me to do it:

* I need to take more exercise.

* He needs to work harder if he wants to make progress.

* I don't need to come to the meeting, do I?

Something needs doing = something needs to be done:

* The batteries in the radio need changing. (= they need to be changed)

* Do you think my jacket needs cleaning? (=... needs to be cleaned)

* It's a difficult problem. It needs thinking about very carefully. (= it needs to be thought about)

C. Help and can't help

You can say 'help to do' or 'help do' (infinitive with or without to):

* Everybody helped to clean up after the party. or Everybody helped clean up...

* Can you help me to move this table? or Can you help me move...

There is also an expression 'can't/couldn't help doing something'. 'I can't help doing something' = I can't stop myself from doing it:

* I don't like him but he has a lot of problems. I can't help feeling sorry for him.

* She tried to be serious but she couldn't help laughing. (= she couldn't stop herself from laughing)

* I'm sorry I'm so nervous. I can't help it. (= I can't help being nervous)