1. Home
  2. English Grammar
  3. infinitif or ing ?

English Grammar


infinitif or ing ?

lacarioca
User since 2012
Posts: 6

1 Feb. 2012

Is it a list to learn, like the irregular verbs, for know after what verb we have to use the infinitif or ing?
like:
I imagine flying.
I learn to fly.


or a mnemotic device ?


thank's

9 comments

  • User since 2010
    Posts: 115

    6 Feb. 2012

    Hi Clarisis,


    It's a very hard question, since there are so many verbs to know about!


    This might be a good place to start, though:


    http://langues.cmaisonneuve.qc.ca/sbeller/quizzes/Grammar_Goblins/GGvger-infinExplan.html
  • User since 2008
    Posts: 253

    5 March 2012

    Clarisis hello,


    i have sometimes a similar question, and i have been hawked to-day :


    "Bruno Delavigne is used to take...." : False said Gymglish.
    - OK-OK , sure, you MAKE a decision, you don't take it
    Used to MAKING.... said Gymglish
    - BUT that ING in makING worries me, i don't hear it, i don't understand why, i don't like that ING !


    - Why can't we say " i use to make a decision" ????


    Expert academic advice required for Gwendy.
  • User since 2006
    Posts: 2715

    6 March 2012

    Hi Gwendy,


    In the past, you USED TO DO. It's about a habbit you had in the past and is no more present.


    About a habbit that is running now, the gerund (-ing form) is required.
    NOW you are used to DOING.
    SINCE YOU WERE BORN, you have been used TO DOING. (still now)


    A mnemonic? If the modal verb BE comes before "used", the gerund is required.


    That's not an advice, just a personal conviction.
    That's not from an academic expert, just from a fellow-learner.
  • User since 2008
    Posts: 253

    7 March 2012

    Thanks a lot dear fellow AhQ,
    - BUT- there is always a BUT -
    that trick works for others special verbs like "happen" ? Do I have to learn a list by heart as when i was a school girl learning my "irregular verbs" ?
    Thanks academic fellow.
  • User since 2008
    Posts: 253

    7 March 2012

    Thanks a lot dear fellow AhQ,
    - BUT- there is always a BUT -
    that trick works for others special verbs like "happen" ? Do I have to learn a list by heart as when i was a school girl learning my "irregular verbs" ?
    Thanks academic fellow.
  • User since 2006
    Posts: 2715

    8 March 2012

    Your comment makes me puzzled, Gwendy.
    Whether 'to happen' plays the same game as 'to use', that's beyond me.
    For something that takes place at the time of the speech, we could say
    1. "something is happening".
    2. "something is used to being done."
    I think I never heard "something uses to be done". I won't ever say 'I use to do' but "I am used to doing."
    But today it happens that I get a message from you.(not happening)
    I think that 'use' is submitted to a very personal custom.
    Tell me, Gwendy. What's your mind?
  • User since 2008
    Posts: 4

    23 March 2012

    Hi Claris
    In a book I have: Focus on Grammar
    Verbs Followed by Gerund (Base of Verb + ing)
    acknowledge, admit, advise, appreciate, avoid, can't help, can't stand, celebrate, consider, delay, deny, detest, discontinue, discuss, dislike, endure,end up, enjoy, escape, explain, feel like, finish, forgive,give up (stop), imagine, justify, keep (continue), mention, mind (object to), miss, postpone, practice, prevent, prohibit, put off, quit, recall, recommend, regret, report, resent, resist, risk, suggest, support, tolerate, understand
  • User since 2008
    Posts: 4

    23 March 2012

    Verbs followed by the infinitive (To + Base Form of verb)
    agree, appear, arrange, ask, attempt, can't afford, can't wait, choose, consent, decide, deserve, expect, fail, help, hesitate, hope, hurry, intend, learn, manage, mean (intend), need, neglect, offer, pay, plan, prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, request, rush, seem, volunteer, wait, want, wish, would like.
  • User since 2008
    Posts: 4

    23 March 2012

    Verbs followed by the Gerund or the Infinitive
    begin, can't stand, continue, forget, hate, like, love, prefer, remember, start, stop, try

Please sign in to leave a comment.