Infinitive or -ing?

Diğer İçerikleri

Osmanlı Devlet Yönetimi

Panolarım

Tüm İçeriklerim

Öne Çıkan İçerikler

Keşfet

feryalim

5 yıl önce

Facebook'ta Paylaş

Sometimes we need to decide whether to use a verb in its:

-ing form (doing, singing)

or

infinitive form (to do, to sing).

For example, only one of the following sentences is correct. Which one?

I dislike working late. (???) I dislike to work late. (???) When to use the infinitive

The infinitive form is used after certain verbs:
- forget, help, learn, teach, train
- choose, expect, hope, need, offer, want, would like
- agree, encourage, pretend, promise, recommend
- allow, can/can't afford, decide, manage, mean, refuse

I forgot to close the window. Mary needs to leave early. Why are they encouraged to learn English? We can't afford to take a long holiday.

The infinitive form is always used after adjectives, for example:
- disappointed, glad, happy, pleased, relieved, sad, surprised

I was happy to help them. She will be delighted to see you.

This includes too + adjective:

The water was too cold to swim in. Is your coffee too hot to drink?

The infinitive form is used after adjective + enough:

He was strong enough to lift it. She is rich enough to buy two. When to use -ing

The -ing form is used when the word is the subject of a sentence or clause:

Swimming is good exercise. Doctors say that smoking is bad for you.

The -ing form is used after a preposition:

I look forward to meeting you. They left without saying "Goodbye."

The -ing form is used after certain verbs:
- avoid, dislike, enjoy, finish, give up, mind/not mind, practise

I dislike getting up early. Would you mind opening the window?

Some verbs can be followed by the -ing form or the infinitive without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start.

It started to rain. It started raining. I like to play tennis. I like playing tennis.