Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 56 · B1

Verb + -ing or to ... 1 (remember, regret etc.)

Some verbs take only -ing, some only to .... A few (remember, regret, go on) take both with a change of meaning, and a few more (begin, start, continue, intend, bother) take both with no change at all.

Start the lesson

16Steps · about 30 minutes

In this lesson

Verbs that take -ing and verbs that take to ...A4 screens of questions
remember, regret, go on: two forms, two meaningsB6 screens of questions
begin, start, continue, intend, bother: no differenceC1 screen of questions

Point A of 3

Verbs that take -ing and verbs that take to ...

Some verbs are followed by -ing and some by to ...:

Verbs + -ing (not to ...) Verbs + to ...
admit, avoid, consider, deny, enjoy, fancy, finish, imagine, keep (on), mind, postpone, risk, stop, suggest afford, agree, arrange, decide, deserve, fail, forget, hope, learn, manage, offer, plan, promise, refuse, tend

For examples of the first group, see Unit 53. For the second, see Unit 54.

  • Have you finished ironing?
  • We can't afford to replace the boiler.

Point A · Exercise 56.1 · part 1 of 4

Put the verb into the correct form, -ing or to ....

  1. Example

    The boys denied taking the apples. (take)

    AnswerThe boys denied taking the apples.

  2. I don't enjoy in the dark. (cycle)

  3. I can't afford out every weekend. (eat)

  4. Have you ever considered your own business? (start)

  5. We trained hard all season and deserved the cup. (win)

Point A · Exercise 56.1 · part 2 of 4

Put the verb into the correct form, -ing or to ....

  1. Why do you keep me the same question? (ask)

  2. Please stop your fingers on the table! (tap)

  3. I refuse for something I didn't break. (pay)

  4. The manager admitted a mistake. (make)

Point A · Exercise 56.1 · part 3 of 4

Put the verb into the correct form, -ing or to ....

  1. Shona needed somewhere to stay, and we promised what we could. (do)

  2. I don't mind on my own, but I prefer having people around. (work)

  3. The fence was quite high, but I managed over it. (jump)

  4. Jordan doesn't know about the party. I forgot him. (invite)

Point A · Exercise 56.1 · part 4 of 4

Put the verb into the correct form, -ing or to ....

  1. I've enjoyed with you. I hope you again soon. (chat, see)

Point B of 3

remember, regret, go on: two forms, two meanings

Some verbs can take -ing or to ..., and the meaning changes.

remember

I remember doing something I remember to do something
I did it, and now I remember it. The doing comes first. I remembered that I had to do it, so I did it. The remembering comes first.

regret

I regret doing something I regret to say / to tell you / to inform you
I did it and now I am sorry about it. I am sorry that I have to say this. It belongs in formal letters, usually just before bad news.

go on

go on doing something go on to do something
Continue doing the same thing. Move on and do or say something new.
  • I definitely turned the oven off. I clearly remember doing it.
  • She remembers walking to the bus stop, but she can't remember anything after that.
  • I remembered to post the parcel, but I forgot to buy milk.
  • Remember to take your umbrella.
  • I regret lending him my car. I'll never see it again in one piece.
  • Do you regret not learning to drive?
  • We regret to inform you that the 8.15 to Doncaster has been cancelled.
  • The vicar paused, coughed and went on talking.
  • We can't go on arguing like this.
  • After the weather, the presenter went on to talk about the local elections.

Point B · Exercise 56.2 · part 1 of 2

Megan can remember some things about her childhood, but not others. Write sentences with She remembers ... or She doesn't remember ....

  1. Example

    She went to Blackpool when she was five. She can still remember this.

    She remembers going to Blackpool when she was five.

    AnswerShe remembers going to Blackpool when she was five.

  2. She broke her arm at nursery. She doesn't remember this.

  3. Once she got lost in a supermarket. She remembers this.

  4. She said she wanted to be an astronaut. She doesn't remember this.

  5. Once she was chased by a goose. She doesn't remember this.

Point B · Exercise 56.2 · part 2 of 2

Megan can remember some things about her childhood, but not others. Write sentences with She remembers ... or She doesn't remember ....

  1. Her brother was born when she was three. She remembers this.

Point B · Exercise 56.3 · part 1 of 4

Complete the sentences with a suitable verb in the correct form, -ing or to .... Items 1 to 6 use remember, items 7 to 10 regret, and items 11 to 14 go on.

  1. Example

    Please remember to switch the lights off when you leave.

    AnswerPlease remember to switch the lights off when you leave.

  2. She says we were at school together, but I don't remember her.

  3. Somebody must have moved my keys. I clearly remember them on the table, and now they've gone.

  4. When you see Rachel, remember her my best wishes.

  5. "You borrowed my umbrella last week." "Did I? I don't remember it."

Point B · Exercise 56.3 · part 2 of 4

Complete the sentences with a suitable verb in the correct form, -ing or to .... Items 1 to 6 use remember, items 7 to 10 regret, and items 11 to 14 go on.

  1. "Did you remember your mum?" "No, I forgot. I'll ring her tonight."

  2. The flat was expensive, but I don't regret it.

  3. We regret you that the concert has been cancelled.

  4. It began to pour with rain, and he regretted not an umbrella.

Point B · Exercise 56.3 · part 3 of 4

Complete the sentences with a suitable verb in the correct form, -ing or to .... Items 1 to 6 use remember, items 7 to 10 regret, and items 11 to 14 go on.

  1. I now regret my course. It was a terrible decision.

  2. Sian started at the hotel as a waitress. A few years later she went on the manager.

  3. I can't go on in this office. I need a change.

  4. When I came into the kitchen, Dad was doing the crossword. He looked up, said hello and went on it.

Point B · Exercise 56.3 · part 4 of 4

Complete the sentences with a suitable verb in the correct form, -ing or to .... Items 1 to 6 use remember, items 7 to 10 regret, and items 11 to 14 go on.

  1. Rents have gone up again. How will anybody manage if they go on ?

Point C of 3

begin, start, continue, intend, bother: no difference

With these verbs, -ing and to ... mean the same:

begin, start, continue, intend, bother

Two -ing forms in a row usually sound clumsy. So It's starting to snow is normal, while "It's starting snowing" is not.

  • It started snowing.
  • It started to snow.
  • Hollie intends opening a café.
  • Hollie intends to open a café.
  • Don't bother washing up.
  • Don't bother to wash up.
  • It's starting to snow.

Point C · Extra practice

Put the verb in brackets into the -ing form or to + infinitive. Both are right, except where two -ing forms would sit together.

  1. It started just as we left the house. (rain)

  2. It's starting . Let's go inside. (snow)

  3. Don't bother up. I'll do it later. (wash)

Lesson 56 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Verb + -ing or to ... 2 (try, need, help)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Verbs that take -ing and verbs that take to ...–Not checkedB. remember, regret, go on: two forms, two meanings–Not checkedC. begin, start, continue, intend, bother: no difference–Not checked