In this post we’ll look at verbs that can be followed by either to-infinitive or gerund (-ing verb form). The meaning of the verbs will depend on which form they are followed by. After reading the post, do an exercise to practice the verbs. 😉

REMEMBER

I remembered to close the door. = I remembered that I had to close the door, so I did it. You remember to do sth. before you do it. More examples: 1) Remember to turn off the air conditioner before you open the window. 2) I remembered to send you the documents, but I forgot to attach the photos. 3) I must remember to return the books to the library.

I remember turning off the light before leaving. = I remember the fact of turning off the light. You remember doing sth. after you have done it. More examples: 1) I know I called him yesterday. I clearly remember doing that. 2) Do you remember making the vow on our wedding day? – Sure. How can I forget? 3) I remember walking down the beach last summer.

FORGET

Don’t forget to take your pills. = Remember to take them. You forget to do sth. you are supposed to do. More examples: 1) I forgot to send you the report, but it should be OK because it’s not urgent. 2) Do you know that you forgot to lock the door today? I came home and found it open. 3) I’m afraid you forgot to reply to the email.

She would never forget seeing the Himalayas for the first time. = She would always remember seeing the Himalayas. You forget doing sth. that you did in the past. More examples: 1) I’ll never forget making my wedding vow. 2) Did you really forget locking the door? I remember you doing that. 3) I forgot replying to the email. Are you sure I did that?

Related: “How to Talk about Forgetting”

REGRET

I regret to say… / I regret to tell you… / I regret to inform you… = I’m sorry that I have to say…, etc. Examples: 1) I regret to say that we won’t be proceeding with your application. 2) We regret to tell you that, unfortunately, you failed the examination. 3) I regret to inform you that your credit card has expired.

I regret selling the house. = I’m sorry I did that; I wish I hadn’t sold the house. You regret sth. you did in the past. More examples: 1) I regret saying what I said. My words were very cruel. I’m sorry. 2) He broke his favorite cup, and now he regrets even coming into the kitchen. 3) I regret telling your secret. Can you forgive me?

GO ON

After the interview, I went on to get the job. = I got the job (after doing sth. else) You go on to do sth. after you complete sth. else. More examples: 1) The second chapter went on to describe his early career. 2) What proportion of people who are HIV-positive go on to develop (= later develop) AIDS? 3) After explaining the advantages, she went on to talk about the disadvantages.

We really can’t go on living like this – we’ll have to find a bigger house. = We can’t continue living like this. If you go on doing sth., you continue with the same thing. More examples: 1) He paused for a moment and then went on talking. 2) Go on reading please. We’re listening to you. 3) I won’t go on working in this job forever.

TRY

Try to solve the problem this way. = Make an attempt at solving the problem this way. If you try to do sth., you make an effort to do it. More examples: 1) I tried to open the door but it’s stuck. 2) Try to run a marathon if you feel fit enough. 3) I was very tired. I tried to keep my eyes open, but I couldn’t.

– The photocopier doesn’t seem to be working. – Try pressing the green button. If you try doing sth., you do it as an experiment to see what the action leads to. More examples: 1) Next time, try baking the cake at a slightly higher temperature (and see what happens). 2) I didn’t like the way the furniture was arranged, so I tried moving the table to the other side of the room. But it didn’t look right, so I moved it back again. 3) Maybe you should try getting up earlier (= you should get up earlier).

NEED

I need to go to the toilet. = I have to go to the toilet. If you need to do sth., it is necessary for you to do it. More examples: 1) I need to talk to the manager. Is he here? 2) Everyone needs to feel loved. 3) I need to work now. Can we talk later?

My phone needs charging. = Charging needs to be done. More examples: 1) The pillows need washing. 2) It’s a difficult problem. It needs thinking about carefully. 3) This room definitely needs some cleaning and airing out.

Related: “Didn’t Need to Do” vs. “Needn’t Have Done”

STOP

Let`s stop to have some coffee. We need a break. If you stop to do sth., you take a break in order to do sth. More examples: 1) We’re running low on gas. Let’s stop to fill up the tank. 2) There’s a supermarket over there. Let’s stop to get some fruit and vegetables. 3) It’s 1pm already. Let’s stop to have lunch.

I need to stop drinking coffee after 6pm. Caffeine keeps me awake till late at night. If you stop doing sth., you no longer do it. More examples: 1) Stop smoking. It increases your cancer risk. 2) I need to stop eating lots of sugar. 3) I’d like to stop watching TV and spend more time reading instead.

Practice

Click the link here and complete the sentences with the right form of the verb in brackets.

Materials used when writing the post: “English Grammar in Use. Four Edition” by R. Murphy; Cambridge Dictionary

Thank you for reading and till next time! 😉

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