2015-08-21
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16.57 Verb + to-infinitive or '-ing': no change in meaning
Some verbs can be followed by a to-infinitive or by -ing Sometimes there is little or no change in meaning, sometimes there is
These verbs can be followed by a to-infinitive or -ing without any change in meaning attempt begin can t bear cease commence continue intend omit and start
I can't bear to see/seeing people suffering After can t bear the accusative can be used before the infinitive the accusative or possessive can be used before the -ing form
/ can't bear you to shout in that way
I can't bear you/your shouting in that way
We do not normally use the ing form after the progressive forms of begin cease continue or start This is because the repetition of the two -ing forms sounds awkward
He was beginning to recover when he had another attack However we can use -ing after the progressive forms of verbs which cannot be followed by a to-infinitive [> 16.42]
We were considering catching an earlier train Stative verbs like know and understand cannot normally be used with an -ing form after begin cease and continue
I soon began to understand what was happening
16 The infinitive and the '-ing' form
| Some verbs such as allow, advise, permit and forbid, which can be followed by a to-infinitive after an object [> 16.21], can also be followed directly by -ing: Would you advise phoning,or shall I wait a bit longer? Would you advise me to phone,or shall I wait a bit longer? 16.58 Verb + to- or '-ing': some changes in meaning These verbs can be followed by a to-infinitive or -ing: dread, hate, like, love, prefer. We often use a to-infinitive after these verbs to refer to a specified future event and the -ing form to refer to an activity currently in progress or existing in general. Some examples are: |
| 16.59 Verb + to- or '-ing': different meanings The to-infinitive and -ing never mean the same when used after these verbs: remember, forget, regret, try, stop and go on: Remember + fo-infinitive refers to an action in the future (or to a 'future' action as seen from the past): Remember to post the letters (= don't forget to) / remembered to post the letters (= I didn't forget to) Remember + -ing refers to the past: / remember posting/having posted the letters (= I posted them and I remember the action) |
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