UNIT 55 Verb + ~ing or to... (1) (remember/regret etc.)

UNIT 55 Verb + ~ing or to... (1) (remember/regret etc.)

A. When one verb follows another verb, the structure is usually verb + ~ing or verb + to ... Compare:

verb + ~ing

* They denied stealing the money.

* I enjoy going out.

Often we use ~ing for an action that happens before the first verb or at the same time:

stealing <- denied

verb + to ...

* They decided to steal the money.

* I want to go out.

Often we use to... for an action that follows the first verb:

decided -> to steal want -> to go

This difference is often helpful (see Section B) but does not explain all uses of ~ing and to...

B. Some verbs can be followed by ~ing or to... with a difference of meaning:

remember

I remember doing something = I did it and now I remember this.

You remember doing something after you have done it:

* I'm absolutely sure I locked the door. I clearly remember locking it. (= I locked it, and now I remember

this)

* He could remember driving along the road just before the accident happened, but he couldn't remember

the accident itself.

I remembered to do something = I remembered that I had to do it, and so I did it.

You remember to do something before you do it:

* I remembered to lock the door when I left but I forgot to shut the windows. (= I remembered that I had to

lock the door and so I locked it)

* Please remember to post the letter. (= don't forget to post it)

regret

I regret doing something = I did it and now I'm sorry about it:

* I now regret saying what I said. I shouldn't have said it.

I regret to say/to tell you/to inform you = I'm sorry that I have to say (etc.):

* (from a formal letter) We regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you the job.

go on

Go on doing something = continue doing the same thing:

* The minister went on talking for two hours.

* We must change our ways. We can't go on living like this.

Go on to do something = do or say something new:

* After discussing the economy, the minister then went on to talk about foreign policy.

C. begin start intend continue bother

These verbs can be followed by ~ing or to... with little or no difference in meaning. So you can say:

* It has started raining. or It has started to rain.

* John intends buying a house. or John intends to buy ...

* Don't bother locking the door. or Don't bother to lock ...

But normally we do not use ~ing after ~ing:

* It's starting to rain. (not 'it's starting raining')