Infinitives and gerunds

 Complement / object

1 Use a to-infinitive as an object

There is not only after V+O (O is noun), but some verbs following is another verb. There are two types:

1.1.   To-infinitive (to + verb)

agree attempt claim decide demand

desire expect fail forget hesitate

hope intend learn need offer

plan prepare pretend refuse seem

strive tend want wish

·         in the negative form, plus not before verb (verb is Object)

Ex: John decided not to buy the car.

1.2.  Verb-ing use as an Object

These verbs following is V-ing

admit appreciate avoid can't help delay deny resist

enjoy finish miss postpone practice quit resume

suggest consider mind recall risk repeat resent

Ex: You shouldn’t risk entering that building in its present condition.
He was considering buying a new car until the prices went up.

·          In the negative sentences, plus not before verb-ing.

Ex: John regretted not buying the car.

·         Lưu ý rằng trong bảng này có mẫu động từ can't help doing/ but do smt có nghĩa ‘không thể đừng được phải làm gì’

Ex: With such good oranges, we can't help buying two kilos at a time.

1.3 This table is verb which objects following are either to-inf or verb-ing, but the mean doesn’t change.

begin can't stand

continue dread

hate like

love prefer

start try

He started to study after dinner = he started studying after dinner.

Lưu ý rằng trong bảng này có một động từ can't stand to do/doing smt: không thể chịu đựng được khi phải làm gì.

He can't stand to wait (waiting) such a long time.

3. How to use Remember, forget, try, stop, regret:

3.1 Stop

Stop + doing: stop doing something
Stop + to do: stop does something in the past to doing something after that

ex: The boys stopped playing.
The boys were playing and they stopped to watch a large truck go past.

3.2 Try

Try + doing: try doing something
Try + to do: try to do something

Ex: I tried turning the tap but the water still poured out.
I tried to turn the tap but it was too old and rusty.

3.3 Remember and forget

Forget / Remember + doing: think about something happened in the past
Forget / Remember + to do: think about something need to do in the future.

Ex: I remembered seeing a bull running down the High Street.
I must remember to watch the news tonight.

3.4 Regret:

Regret to do something: regret what you are doing

Regret doing something: regret what happened in the past

Ex: We regret to inform you that we are not taking on any new staff at present.

I regret spending all that money on shoes. I’ve got none left.

3.5. Mean
“Mean to do something: intend to do something
* I think Nancy meant to break that vase. It didn’t look like an accident.
“Means doing something: Something happen lead to another one
* Failure on the exam means having to learn one more year
3.6. Go on

Go on to do something:  Do something next, do another one
* After finishing the Math problem, we go on to do the English exercise.
Go on doing something: continue to do something
* After a short rest, the children go on playing.
3.7. Need
* I need to clean my shoes.
* My shoes need cleaning.