Gerunds and infinitives both possible
Generally, verbs are followed by either a gerund (doing) or an infinitive (to do), and that’s it.
e.g. to want to do something
e.g. to avoid doing something
You can’t say:
*to want doing something
to avoid to do something.
However, there are a few verbs where both options are possible – the verb can be followed by a gerund or an infinitive.
These verbs include: stop, try, remember, forget, need, mean, regret, like, hate, go on.
With these verbs, the meaning or grammar of the verb changes depending on whether you use a gerund or an infinitive. These are common verbs, and it’s important to learn them to avoid misunderstandings and miscommunications.
In this exercise, we’ll begin by looking at the verbs stop, try, remember and need.
Here are the verbs with explanations of the different meanings, along with example listening exercises. Good luck!
Stop doing vs stop to do
Listen to these two micro-listenings. One uses stop + gerund, and the other uses stop + infinitive. Can you understand the difference in meaning?
If you stop doing something, then you are doing something and then you stop it.
e.g. I stopped working after several hours.
If you stop to do something, then you stop whatever you are doing in order to do something else. This structure communicates the reason for stopping.
e.g. After working for a few hours, I stopped to make some lunch.
The basic meaning of the verb stop is the same in both sentences, but there is a difference in sequence. With stop doing, first you do something and then you stop. With stop to do, first you stop, and then you do something.
Try doing vs try to do
Again, here are two micro-listenings with the two possible verb patterns:
If you try doing something, then you experiment, experience, taste or test something to see what it is like or whether it works.
e.g. This soup tastes a bit boring. Have you tried adding a bit more salt?
If you try to do something, then you attempt to do something difficult or challenging. You make an effort to do something.
e.g. I really tried to think of a nice birthday present for him, but couldn’t come up with anything.
Imagine someone having trouble opening a jar because the lid is screwed on very tightly. They are trying to open it. A friend might see what they are doing it and make a suggestion – try running it under warm water for 30 seconds.
Remember doing vs remember to do
Here are two micro-listenings for the verb to remember:
If you remember doing something, then you remember something from an earlier time. First you do something, and then you remember it.
e.g. I still remember learning how to ride a bike for the first time.
If you remember to do something, then you remember something you need to do. First you remember, and then you do it.
e.g. I must remember to call Mike soon – we haven’t had a chat for quite a while.
Note that the same rule applies to the verb forget.
e.g. I’ll never forget getting my first article published.
e.g. Please don’t forget to take your coat – it’s going to rain this afternoon.
Need doing vs need to do
Here are two micro-listenings for the verb to need:
The structure need to do something has an active meaning. We focus on the task or action that someone or something must do.
e.g. John needs to study a lot more if he wantes to pass his exams.
When we use need doing, we are focussing on the object, the thing that receives the action, rather than the person or thing that does the action.
e.g. These shoes need cleaning – they’re covered in mud.
Compare the same idea expressed using both structures:
You’re old enough to remember to hang your coat up when you come in. I shouldn’t need to tell you.
You’re old enough to remember to hang your coat up when you come in. You shouldn’t need telling.
Keep an eye out for a follow-up post on more verbs like this. Until then, feel free to ask if you have any questions, I’m always happy to help.
Chris
Photo by Taylor Franz on Unsplash
Comments