G
ESC
  • Type to search across all units
← All units

Unit 54 · -ing and to …

Verb + to … (decide to … / forget to … etc.)

Study

A

After these verbs you can use to … (infinitive):

offer plan manage deserve
agree arrange fail afford
refuse hope promise learn
decide forget threaten tend
›

It was a long way to walk, so we decided to take a taxi home.

›

Simon was in a difficult situation, so I agreed to help him.

›

I waved to Karen, but failed to attract her attention.

›

I like Dan, but I think he tends to talk too much.

›

How old were you when you learnt to drive?

or … learnt how to drive?

The negative is not to … :

›

We decided not to go out because of the weather.

›

I promised not to be late.

After some verbs, we use -ing (not to …). For example, enjoy/think/suggest:

›

I enjoy reading. (not enjoy to read)

›

Andy suggested meeting for coffee. (not suggested to meet)

›

Are you thinking of buying a car? (not thinking to buy)

For verb + -ing, see Units 53 and 62.

B

After dare you can use the infinitive with or without to:

›

I didn't dare to tell him. or I didn't dare tell him.

But after dare not (or daren't), we do not use to:

›

I daren't tell him what happened. (not I daren't to tell him)

C

We also use to … after seem, appear, pretend and claim. For example:

›

They seem to have plenty of money.

›

Ann pretended not to see me when she passed me in the street.

You can also use to be -ing (continuous infinitive) and to have (done) (perfect infinitive):

›

I pretended to be reading the newspaper. (= I pretended that I was reading)

›

Have you seen my keys? I seem to have lost them. (= it seems that I have lost them)

›

She claimed not to have seen me. (= she claimed that she hadn't seen me)

D

After these verbs you can use a question word (what/how etc.) + to … .

ask know decide remember forget learn explain understand wonder

For example:

We asked how to get to the station.
Have you decided where to go on holiday?
I don't know whether to apply for the job or not.
Do you understand what to do?

also

show/tell/ask/advise/teach somebody what/how/where to do something:

›

Can somebody show me how to use this camera?

›

Ask Jack. He'll tell you what to do.

→ Verb + -ing: Unit 53 → Verb + object + to … (want etc.): Unit 55 → Verb + to … and -ing: Units 55C, 56–58

Exercises (5)

0/5 exercises checked
—
54.1

Complete the sentences for these situations.

  1. 1
    Shall we get married? Yes, let's.
    They decided married.example
  2. 2
    Please help me. OK.
    She agreed him.
  3. 3
    Can I carry your bag for you? No, thanks. I can manage.
    He offered her bag (for her).
  4. 4
    Let's meet at 8 o'clock. OK, fine.
    They arranged at 8 o'clock.
  5. 5
    What's your name? I'm not going to tell you.
    She refused her name.
  6. 6
    Please don't tell anyone. I won't. I promise.
    She promised anyone.
54.2

Complete the sentences. Use a suitable verb.

  1. 1
    Don’t forget the door when you go out.example
  2. 2
    There was a lot of traffic, but we managed to the airport in time.
  3. 3
    We couldn’t afford in London. It’s too expensive.
  4. 4
    I can’t play a musical instrument, but I’d like to learn the guitar.
  5. 5
    I don’t want Mark to know what happened. I decided not him.
  6. 6
    We were all afraid to speak. Nobody dared anything.
54.3

Put the verb into the correct form, to … or -ing. (See Unit 53 for verbs + -ing.)

  1. 1
    When I’m tired, I enjoy TV. It’s relaxing. (watch)example
  2. 2
    I’ve decided for another job. I need a change. (look)
  3. 3
    I’m not going anywhere! I refuse . (move)
  4. 4
    I’m not in a hurry. I don’t mind . (wait)
  5. 5
    Tina ran in a marathon last week, but she failed . (finish)
  6. 6
    I wish that dog would stop . It’s driving me crazy. (bark)
  7. 7
    They didn’t know I was listening to them. I pretended asleep. (be)
  8. 8
    We were hungry, so I suggested dinner early. (have)
  9. 9
    Hurry up! I don’t want to risk the train. (miss)
  10. 10
    David is very quiet. He tends not much. (say)
54.4

Make a new sentence using the verb in brackets.

  1. 1
    I’ve lost my keys. (seem) example
  2. 2
    Tom is worried about something. (appear)
  3. 3
    You know a lot of people. (seem)
  4. 4
    My English is getting better. (seem)
  5. 5
    That car has broken down. (appear)
  6. 6
    Rachel is enjoying her job. (seem)
  7. 7
    They have solved the problem. (claim)
54.5

Complete each sentence using what/how/where/whether + these verbs: do, get, go, put, ride, use

  1. 1
    Do you know to the airport from here?example
  2. 2
    Would you know if there was a fire in the building?
  3. 3
    You’ll never forget a bike once you’ve learnt.
  4. 4
    I’ve been invited to the party, but I haven’t decided or not.
  5. 5
    My room is very untidy. I’ve got so many things and I don’t know them.
  6. 6
    I have some clothes to wash. Can you show me the washing machine?