infinitives and -ING Forms .

infinitives and -ING Forms .

1. infinitives

   • Help + object pronoun can take either a full or bare infinitive . Can you help me (to) pack?
   • full infinitive is used :
     • to express purpose.
       • example :
         • I went to the post office post some letters.
     • after it +be adjective + (it's nice, it was stupid, etc.).
       • example :
         • It was great to see you after such a long time.
     • after the first/second/ last/best, etc.
       • example :
         • Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon.
     • after certain adjectives: afraid, surprised, free, happy, ready, sorry, etc.
       • example :
         • At last he was free to do what he wanted.
     • after too and enough
       • example :
         • Ahmed is too tired to go jogging today. It isn't warm enough to go to the sea yet.
     • after certain verbs (afford, agree, appear, decide, forget, hope, learn, manage, need, offer, plan, promise, refuse, seem, tend, want, would like, etc.).
       • example :
         • I hope to see you again soon
     • after the objects of certain verbs (advise, allow, encourage, invite, order, persuade, teach, tell, etc.).
       • example :
         • It was Glen who persuaded me to apply for this job.
     • after question words (how, what, when, where, etc.).
       • example:
         • I don't know what to do.
     • after certain nouns (pleasure, shock, chance, etc.).
       • example:
         • It was a great pleasure to meet you.
     • after some, any, no and their compounds.
       • example :
         • I'll make you something to eat. He doesn't have anywhere to stay.
   • bare infinitive is used :
     • after modal verbs (can, may, must, should, etc.)
       • example :
         • You should start thinking about your future.
     • after the verbs let and make in the Active Voice.
       • example :
         • My parents let me stay up later at weekends.
         • Our teacher made us retake the test.
     • after would rather and had better.
       • example:
         • I'd rather go bowling tonight.
         • You'd better tell me everything you know about this.

2. - ing forms

   • used :
     • as a noun (subject or object of a verb)
       • example:
         • Exercising is a good way of keeping fit.
     • after the verb go, indicating physical activities
       • example :
         • We often go fishing in the summer.
     • after certain verbs (avoid, enjoy, finish, like, love, hate, imagine, keep, risk, spend (time), suggest, consider, etc.)
       • example :
         • Martin suggested going to a Lebanese restaurant on Friday.
     • after certain expressions (be interested in, can't stand don't mind, how about, it's no use, it's no good, it's worth, there's no point (in), be used to, etc.).
       • example :
         • It's no use trying to do everything yourself Ask Ethan for help.
     • after prepositions (for, about, without, etc.).
       • example :
         • I'm so excited about going to university next year.

3. verbs folloewd by full infinitive and -ing form

   • Some verbs can be followed by either the full infinitive or the -ing form, but with a difference in meaning.
     • Enter text here...
     • try + -ing form = do something to see what effect it will have
       • If you have a sore throat, try drinking some hot tea.
     • try + full infinitive = make an effort
       • I'll try to come tonight, but I can't promise anything.
     • remember + -ing form = remember something that has already happened
       • Do you remember meeting Brian at the Bookers' last week?
     • remember + full infinitive = remember something before doing it
       • Did you remember to lock the door before you left?
     • forget + -ing form = forget something that has already happened
       • I'll never forget visiting the White House.
     • forget + full infinitive= forget something you are supposed to do
       • Tony forgot to tell you that he was going away for the weekend
     • regret + -ing form = regret something that has already happened
       • Chelsea regretted talking to her sister like that
     • regret + full infinitive = be sorry to do something
       • We regret to inform you that there are no more tickets for tonight's match.
     • stop + -ing form = terminate an action and no longer do it after that time
       • Stop making excuses all the time.
     • stop + full infinitive = pause temporarily in order to do something else
       • I was writing a letter but I stopped to answer the phone.
     • go on + -ing form = continue an activity without stopping
       • He was so fascinated by the book that he went on reading for hours.
     • go on + full infinitive = do something after completing something else
       • When he finished school, he went on to study Medicine.
   • Some verbs such as start, begin, continue, intend, etc. can be followed by either the full infinitive or the -ing form with no difference in meaning.
     • example
       • It started to rain /raining a minute ago.