Verbs + Infinitives or Gerunds

Study Notes

Verbs + Infinitives or Gerunds with Different Meanings

Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, leading to distinct meanings.
Key verbs with differing meanings when followed by gerunds or infinitives include "remember," "forget," "regret," "stop," and "try."

Remember

Remember + Infinitive: Indicates recalling the necessity to perform a task (e.g. "He always remembers to send flowers on their anniversary").
Remember + Gerund: Refers to recalling an action completed in the past (e.g. "He remembers sending flowers last year").

Forget

Forget + Infinitive: Implies failing to remember to perform a task (e.g. "She sometimes forgets to call").
Forget + Gerund: Indicates not being able to recall having done an action in the past (e.g. "She sometimes forgets calling").

Regret

Regret + Infinitive: Expresses sorrow about the necessity of an action (e.g. "I regret to tell you that I have a secret").
Regret + Gerund: Conveys remorse about something done that cannot be undone (e.g. "I regret telling you my secret").

Stop

Stop + Infinitive: Signifies pausing one activity to engage in another (e.g. "We stopped to watch the sunset").
Stop + Gerund: Indicates ceasing an ongoing action (e.g. "We stopped watching the sunset").

Try

Try + Infinitive: Conveys an attempt to achieve something (e.g. "I tried to reach her").
Try + Gerund: Suggests experimenting with a specific method (e.g. "I tried reaching her by email").

Passive Forms of Infinitives and Gerunds

The passive infinitive is formed as "to + be + past participle."
The passive gerund is constructed as "being + past participle."
Example of passive infinitive: "Everybody wants to be loved by somebody."
Example of passive gerund: "Being asked to settle an argument can be awkward."

Auxiliary Verbs after But and And

In sentences joined by "but" or "and," main verbs are often omitted and replaced by auxiliary verbs.
Example with "but": "My father is not good at remembering birthdays, but my mother is."
Example with "but": "John does not get frustrated easily, but Sara does."
Example with "and": "He thinks he looks better without a beard, and his wife does too."
Example with "and": "I do not like going to concerts, and he doesn't either."

Description

This quiz explores the nuances between verbs followed by infinitives and gerunds that have distinct meanings. You'll encounter verbs like remember, forget, regret, stop, and try, analyzing how the choice of form can change the sentence's intent. Test your understanding and improve your mastery of these important grammatical concepts.