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Gerunds and Infinitives:
Distinct difference in meaning
These verbs can be
followed by gerunds or infinitives but with
a change in meaning.
forget / regret
/ remember
When these verbs are used with a gerund they
refer to something that happened before a certain
time. When they are used with an infinitive
they refer to something that happens at or after
a certain time.
forget
Forget with
the gerund is often used with never for
a memorable previous action.
- I'll never forget going to Japan.
Forget with
the infinitive means something happens at or
after a certain time.
- Don't forget to meet me at 5.00.
regret
Regret with
the gerund refers to a previous action.
- I don't regret leaving my job.
Regret with
the infinitive is used to give bad news in a
formal, polite way. It's often used with the
verbs to say, to announce, to tell you and
to inform you.
- We regret to inform you the interview
is cancelled.
remember
Remember with the
gerund refers to a previous action.
- I remember meeting you last year. (I
met you before now).
Remember with the
infinitive is used for something that happens
at or after a certain time.
- Please remember to close the door.
(in the future please close the door.)
go on
Go on with
the gerund means to continue an action in progress.
For example:
- I want to go on studying here.
Go on with
the infinitive means to do something new. For
example:
- After university, he went on to study
law.
mean
mean with
the gerund shows negative consequence. For example:
- You can buy a new car, but it means spending
a lot of money.
mean with
the infinitive shows intention.
- He means to leave his job next month.
- I didn't mean to make you angry.
try
Try with the
gerund is used for suggestions.
- "I need to lose weight." "Try
exercising and eating healthy food".
- "I'm really hot." "Try sitting
here, it's much cooler."
Try with the
infinitive means to attempt something.
- I tried to lift it but I can't.
- I'll try to finish this by tomorrow
morning.
stop
stop with
the gerund means to end an action.
- I stopped eating fast food last year.
- I can't stop loving you.
- Stop being so annoying!
stop with
the infinitive means to interrupt an action.
- I was walking to the subway station, and I
stopped to say "Hi" to my friends.
- I was working at home, and I stopped to
answer the 'phone.
come
come with
the gerund means movement with a sense of surprise
or excitement.
- The ball came flying toward me - it almosty
hit me on the head!
- Don't come running to me! (this means don't
expect sympathy)
come with
the infinitive means a change in perception.
- I thought he wasn't smart, but I came to
realize he's very talented.
- I didn't like teaching, but I came to like
it.
come with the infinitive can also mean
just reason.
- Why did you come? - I came to watch
a movie.
help
help is often
used with an infinitive.
- I helped to make dinner.
help is also used without to,
especially in American conversational English.
- I helped make the dinner.
help is also used with with and
the gerund.
- I helped with making the dinner.
These three usages have similar meanings.
Help with
the gerund is also used with can't to
mean a reaction beyond the subject's control.
- I can't help laughing.
- Those kids are noisy, but I can't help liking
them.
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Click below for exercises
on verbs followed by gerunds or infinitives.
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