Oxford practice gramar part 17 potx

64 Remember, regret, try, etcWith some verbs, the choice of a to-infinitive or an ing-form depends on the meaning A Remember and forget / must remember to post this letter today.. 64 Exe

64 Remember, regret, try, etc

With some verbs, the choice of a to-infinitive or an

ing-form depends on the meaning

A Remember and forget

/ must remember to post this letter today It's

important The clothes are still dirty because

I forgot to

switch on the machine

We use remember/forget to do for necessary

actions The remembering is before the action

B Regret

We regret to inform you that we are not taking

on any new staff at present Regret to do

something means to be sorry for something you

are doing, e.g giving bad news

C Try

I'm trying to run this computer program Try

to do something means to attempt something,

to do your best

D Stop

An old man walking along the road stopped

to talk to us Stop to do something means to

stop so that you

can do it

E Mean

I think Nick meant to break that glass It didn't

look like an accident Mean to do something

is the same as to intend to

do it

F Go on

The teacher introduced herself and went on to

explain about the course

Go on to do something means to do something

else, to do the next thing

G Need

I need to clean my shoes

This means that I must clean my shoes, I have to

clean them

I can remember posting the letter I posted it on Friday morning I'll never forget flying over

the Grand Canyon It was wonderful

We use remember/forget doing for memories of

the past The action is before the remembering

I regret spending all that money I've got

none left

Regret doing something means to be sorry

because of something that happened in the past

I tried clicking on the box, but it doesn't work

Try doing something means to do something

which might solve a problem

There's too much noise Can you all stop

talking, please?

Stop doing something means to end an action, to

finish doing it

I'm applying for a visa It means filling in

this form

Means doing something expresses the idea of one

thing resulting in another

The teacher told everyone to be quiet, but they

just went on talking

Go on doing something means to continue

doing it

My shoes need cleaning This means that

my shoes need to be cleaned (see Unit 59B)

64 Exercises

1 Remember and forget (A)

Put in the to-infinitive or the ing-form of the verbs

Laura: Did you remember ( ►) to pick (pick) up those photos today?

Trevor: What photos?

Laura: Oh, no I can remember (1) (mention) it to you only this morning Trevor: I can't remember (2) ……… (agree) to pick up some photos

Laura: Well, don't forget (3)……… (call) at the shop for them tomorrow You've got a terrible memory Yesterday you forgot (4)……… (lock) the door

Trevor: I'm sure I didn't forget (5) (lock) it

I can clearly remember (6)……… (look) for my keys They were in my pocket Laura: You ought to write notes to yourself to remind you

Trevor: That wouldn't be any good I'd never remember (7) ……… (look) at them!

2 Remember, regret, try, etc (A-G)

Put in the to-infinitive or the ing-form of the verbs

I used to like going to our local cinema It was old and rather uncomfortable, but it had character Now

they've stopped (►) showing (show) films there The owner would like to go on (1) ……… (run)

the cinema, but he would need (2)……… (make) a lot of improvements, which would mean (3)………(spend) tens of thousands of pounds I remember (4)……….(watch) the last film at the cinema It was a murder mystery It was five minutes from the end, and we were trying (5)………(work) out who the murderer was when suddenly all the lights went out and the film stopped We sat in the dark for a few minutes, and then the owner appeared with a torch I regret

(6) ……… (tell) you,' he said, 'that our electricity has failed I don't mean

(7)……… (disappoint) you, but I'm afraid we can't show you the end of the film We've tried (8)………(phone) the electricity company, but they say they can't help.' He went on

(9)………(explain) to the audience how the film ended I didn't understand the story But I don't regret (10)……… (go) to the cinema on that last evening

3 Remember, regret, try, etc (A-G)

Write each pair of sentences as one Use a to-infinitive or an ing-form

? Trevor didn't ring Laura He forgot

Trevor forgot to ring Laura

? Tom and Nick had been playing cards for hours But they went on with the game

Tom and Nick went on playing cards

1 Harriet didn't think she could move the piano She didn't even try

2 Mike once saw a spaceship He'll never forget it

3 What about painting the walls? They need it

4 Natasha was unkind to Jessica But she didn't mean it

5 Andrew was studying He went on through the night

6 When Mark was driving, he needed to make a phone call So he stopped

TEST 12 Verb + to-infinitive or ing-form (Units 60-64)

Test 12A

Complete the conversations Put in a to-infinitive or an ing-form

► A: I hear you sometimes sail to France in your boat

B: That's right I really enjoy sailing

1 A: Are you going to organize our trip?

B: Yes, of course I've agreed it

2 A: You wear a uniform at work, don't you?

B: Yes, 1 have to, although I dislike it

3 A: Do you think they'll approve the plan?

B: Yes, I'm quite sure they'll decide it

4 A: What time will you be back?

B: Oh, I expect……… back some time around nine

5 A: Did I remind you about the dinner tonight?

B: Yes, thank you You keep me

6 A: Was your decision the right one, do you think?

B: Yes, luckily In the end it proved……… the best thing for everyone

7 A: Do you still work at the post office?

B: No, I gave up………… there last year

8 A: Have ICM bought the company?

B: Well, they've offered it

9 A: I'm sorry you had to wait all that time

B: Oh, it's all right I didn't mind

Test 12B

Make sentences from the notes

► Tessa / want / buy / a new coat / soon

Tessa wants to buy a new coat soon

1 we / must / avoid / waste / so much time

2 sometimes / a country / refuse / take part / in the Olympics

3 I / like / see / the Rocky Mountains / some day

4 I / mean / give / Judy / a nice welcome / yesterday

5 I / always / like / see / my doctor / once a year

6 the buses / usually / stop / run / before midnight

7 I / can't face / get up / at five / tomorrow

8 last year / we / make / an agreement / work / together

9 yesterday / you / promise / carry on / shoot / the film

10 my father / seem / get / better / now

Test 12C

Read the conversation and write the missing words Use one word only in each space.

Anna: I hear you're preparing to (►) leave for Australia.

Lisa: That's right And I'm really looking forward to it I can't (1)……… to get there.

I'm hoping (2) see all my friends while I'm there.

I'm going to enjoy (3)……… them again after so long.

Anna: Martin and I (4)……… like to go away, but we can't manage it this year.

Lisa: There's just one problem that I (5)……… to sort out My tickets haven't arrived I've tried to ring the travel agency, but I can't get through I'm beginning to regret (6)……… going there myself to pick them up Anna: I

expect they'll be here tomorrow.

Lisa: That's really leaving it to the last minute It's such a worry

Anna: Well, I know you You can't (7)……… worrying, can you?

Lisa: No, I can't I hope this holiday isn't going to turn out (8)……… be a disaster.

Anna: Of course it isn't Just keep (9)……… trying to get through.

Test 12 D

Each of these sentences has a mistake in it Write the correct sentence.

► The man kept-ask us for money The man kept asking us for money

1 We've finished to-decorate-the flat

2 I regret say what I-did

3 Tessa decided go not to work

4 Do-you mind help me?

5 I'm -beginning getting worried

6 I cant afford buy-a new-ear

7 I-hope to-avoid to make things worse

8 Peter seems gone-away-already

Test 12E

Write a second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first Use the word in brackets.

► I wish I hadn't sold my bike, (regret)

I regret selling my bike.

1 The children were eager to see their presents, (wait)

2 I hate to get up in the dark, (stand)

3 By chance I saw your brother yesterday, (happened)

4 The shop usually opens ten minutes late, (tends)

5 Would you like to go for a walk? (fancy)

6 The police continued to watch the house, (carried)

7 Seeing Nelson Mandela will always stay in my memory, (forget)

65 Verb + object + to-infinitive or ing-form

A Introduction

Customer: None of the things I ordered have arrived They're three

weeks late I expect the goods to arrive on time

Mark: I'm sorry we've kept you waiting so long Can I find out

what the problem is and then ring you back?

Some verbs can take an object + a to-infinitive,

and some take an object + an ing-form

VERB OBJECT

I expect the goods to arrive on time

I'm sorry we've kept you waiting so long

B Verb + object + to-infinitive

We asked the doorman to let us in Nick couldn't persuade Rita to go out with him

The hot weather has caused ice-cream sales to increase

It took ages to download the pictures from the Internet

I didn't mean my suggestion to be taken seriously (See Unit 59A.)

Here are some verbs we can use in this structure: advise, allow, ask, beg, cause, enable, encourage, expect, force, help (see Unit 69C), intend, invite, mean (= intend), order, recommend, remind, take (time), teach, tell, warn

C Want + object + to-infinitive

We can also use an object + a to-infinitive after want, (would) like, (would) love, (would) prefer and (would) hate

Tom wants United to win We'd hate the house to be left empty We

can use this structure to give an order (see Unit 50B)

I want everyone to come here I'd like you to listen carefully We cannot

normally use a that-clause NOT I want that everyone comes here

D Verb + object + ing-form

Andrew is so serious I can't imagine him having a good time

Do you remember Laura taking our photo? A new law has stopped traffic going into the city centre

Here are some verbs we can use in this structure: dislike, imagine, involve, keep, mind,

prevent (see Unit 70C), remember, risk, stop (see Unit 70C)

E Advise, allow, encourage and recommend

We can use these verbs with an ing-form or with an object + a to-infinitive

+ [NG-FORM + OBJECT + TO-INFINITIVE

I wouldn't recommend walking home alone I wouldn't recommend you to walk home aloni

We do not use suggest + an object + a to-infinitive

I suggested to Nick (that) he should leave, NOT I-suggested Niek-to4eave

65 Exercises

1 Verb + object + to-infinitive (B)

Report what people said Use the verbs in brackets

► Police to motorists: Take special care, (warn) The

police warned motorists to take special care.

1 Guy to Kitty: Would you like to come on my chat show? (invite)

2 Sarah to Mark: Don't forget to get the theatre tickets, (remind)

3 Dentist to Daniel: You should give up eating sweets, (tell)

4 Police to gunman: Come out with your hands up (order)

2 Want and would like (C)

Complete the sentences using would like or don't/doesn't want

► Mike won't wear a tie Harriet is annoyed

She would like him to wear a tie because they're going to a concert

1 Mrs Miles is going to do a parachute jump, but her son and daughter don't like the idea

They ……….because they think it's dangerous

2 Henry is falling in love with Claire, but she's worried about this

She ………because she doesn't find him attractive

3 Natasha may not go on holiday with her friends

They ………because she's always good fun to be with

3 Verb + object + to-infinitive or ing-form (B, D)

Kitty Beamish is reporting what people have said to her She combines the two sentences into one.

? 'The lorry skidded The icy road caused it.'

The icy road caused the lorry to skid

? 'The workers might go on strike The company can't risk that.'

The company can’t risk the workers going on strike

1 'The suspects might leave the country The police must stop that.'

2 'Congress opposed him The President didn't expect that.'

3 'The hostages lay down The terrorists forced them.'

4 'The pound is falling in value The government doesn't mind that.'

4 Advise, allow, etc (E)

Complete this paragraph from a guidebook to London Use the to-infinitive or the ing-form.

We wouldn't recommend (►) driving (drive) into London in the rush hour.

We'd advise you (1) (travel) by train.

We'd recommend (2) ………(buy) a special saver ticket, which is cheaper than the full fare But the railway companies don't allow you (3)……… (use) saver tickets before ten o'clock This is to encourage people (4) (take) a later train, which will be less busy.

66 Question word + to-infinitive

B Structures with what to do, where to go, etc

Before the question word we can use a verb such as ask, decide, discover, discuss,

explain, find out, forget, know, learn, remember, say, think, understand, wonder

It was a real problem I couldn't think what to do

We were wondering where to park the car

Matthew wants to know how to work the computer

Have Trevor and Laura decided when to have their barbecue?

Sometimes there is a verb + object before the question word In

this structure we can use advise, ask, show, teach and tell

Tom showed me how to change a wheel

The guide didn't tell the tourists when to be back at the coach

Before the question word we can also use the adjectives clear, obvious and sure and the

expressions have an idea and make up your mind

I wasn't sure who to ask for help Claire doesn't have much idea how to cook

A preposition (e.g of) can come before the question word

There's the question of who to invite to the reception You need

to be informed about what to do in an emergency

C Why, what, whose, which and whether

We cannot use why before a to-infinitive

No one could explain why we had to wait, NOT No-one-could- explain-why-to-wait

After what, which, whose, how many and how much, we can use a noun

Sarah and Mark were discussing what colour to paint the walls We

wondered whose story to believe - both drivers said it wasn't their fault It's

difficult to know how much luggage to take with you

We can use whether but not if

We'll have to decide whether to go ahead with the project (or not)

NOT We'll have to decide if to go ahead

Melanie wasn't sure whether to ring the doctor or not

I was wondering whether to order some tea

A Introduction

Vicky uses a question word (what) and a to-infinitive (to wear) She is talking about the best thing to do I don't know what to wear means that

I don't know what I should wear

66 Exercises

1 Structures with what to do, where to go, etc (B)

Comment on these situations

► How do I switch

the computer on?

1 What should I say? 2 Where shall we

► (not know) He doesn't know how to switch the computer on

1 (can't think)

2 (not sure)

3 (not know)

2 Structures with what to do, where to go, etc (B)

Look at the questions and then complete the paragraph about a man coming out of prison Use a

question word and a to-infinitive

► How should he start a new life? 3 How can he find somewhere to live?

This man will have problems when he leaves prison He needs advice on (►) how to start a new life

After a long time in prison, he isn't sure (1)……… in the outside world and he has

no idea (2) ……… He doesn't know (3) a place to live either But he won't be completely alone A social worker will advise him (4) .,

so he'll know (5) if he needs help

3 Question word + to-infinitive (B-C)

You are finding it very difficult to make your mind up

Complete your answers to the questions Use a question word and a to-infinitive

? Rachel: Are you going to buy that sweater?

You; I don't know whether to buy it or not

? Tom: What time do you think we should leave?

You: I'm not really sure what time to leave

1 Daniel: Do you want to do business studies?

You: I'm wondering business studies or statistics

2 Vicky: How much money should we spend on the present?

You: I've no idea on it

3 Matthew; Do you intend to join the sports club?

You; I can't decide it or not

4 Vicky: Which route should we take?

You: It's difficult to know

5 Melanie: Which lottery numbers are you going to choose?

You: I haven't decided

67 Adjective + to-infinitive

B It is easy to drive the car

An adjective + to-infinitive often comes in this structure with it + be

It's important to look in the mirror It's lovely to see you It's quite

safe to use the ladder It was silly to make such a fuss

The subject can also be a person

I'm delighted to see you We're ready to start now

C The car is easy to drive

Compare these two sentences They both mean the same thing

It is easy to drive the car The car is easy to drive We

do not use it in the second sentence

NOT The-car-is-easy-to-drive-it and NOT The-car it is-easy-to-drive

Here are some more examples

Your writing is difficult to read A small car would be cheap to run The

parade was fascinating to watch The ladder is quite safe to use

We can use this structure with adjectives meaning 'good' or bad', e.g awful, bad, exciting, fascinating, good, marvellous, nice, terrible, wonderful We can also use it with these adjectives: cheap, convenient, dangerous, difficult, easy, expensive, impossible, safe, simple

D Certain, sure and likely

We can use a to-infinitive after certain, sure, likely and unlikely

United are certain/sure to win (= They will certainly win.)

Sarah is likely to be at work (= She is probably at work.)

E For and of

After some adjectives we can use for + object + to-infinitive (see Unit 68)

It's important for drivers to take care It isn't safe for children to play on ladders

After an adjective describing how someone behaves (e.g polite, silly), we can use of It

was polite of Emma to write and thank us (Emma was polite.) It was silly of me to

forget the tickets (I was silly.)

68 For with the to-infinitive 117 Too and enough

We can use a to-infinitive (e.g to

be) after an adjective (e.g great)

67 Exercises

1 It is easy to drive the car (B)

Sarah's job is to write advertisements She is writing one for Compex computers

Write sentences with it and an adjective followed by a to-infinitive ► Buy a

Compex computer It isn't expensive It isn't expensive to buy a Compex computer

1 Using the computer is very simple

It's very

2 Understanding the handbook isn't difficult It isn't

3 You can run any kind of software It's easy 4 Exploring the world of Compex is absolutely fascinating 5 Try the ultimate computer experience Are you ready? 2 The car is easy to drive (C) Sarah isn't happy with her ideas for the Compex advertisement She is rewriting the first four sentences like this ► A Compex computer isn't expensive to buy 1 The computer

2 The handbook

3

4 ………

3 Certain, sure and likely (D)

Complete the conversation Make sentences from the notes in brackets.

Nick: Are you going to Mike and Harriet's party?

Tom: Yes, I am (►) It's sure to be a good party (it / sure / be / a good party).

Nick: Will there be a lot of people there?

Tom: Yes, (1) ……… (it / likely / be / pretty crowded) Nick: Has Rita been invited, do you know?

Tom: Oh, (2) (she / certain / be / there) Nick: I don't know that part of town Is the house easy to find?

Tom: No, it isn't Take a map or (3) ……… (you / unlikely / find / it).

4 For and of (E)

Vicky and Rachel are talking about two students they know called Gary and Steve

Complete the conversation Put in for or of

Vickv: I can't believe that Gary and Steve had a fight in a pub Don't you think that was very foolish (►)of them?

Rachel: Yes, it was especially stupid (1) them to quarrel about which football team is the best There must be something more interesting (2) them to talk about

Vicky: I blame Steve It wasn't very sensible (3) him to knock Gary's drink over

Rachel: It was brave (4) Daniel to try to stop the fight It was awful (5) him to get hit

on the head with a chair