Ok. In the previous two entries we said there were "Lists" showing some verbs that use 'to-infinitive', and some others that use 'gerund'. Now you know there are some other verbs that use both forms without a change in meaning, and that there are some verbs using both forms too, but the meaning changes depending on using either 'to-infinitive' or 'gerund' or even the 'bare infinitive'.
We mentioned that 'the experts' normally ask students to learn or memorize 'lists'. Now I wonder: what if you don't have such a list in hand? You don't live your life carring your vocabulary notebook with you to all the places you visit!
There are some rules of thumb (remember, however, that they work for most cases but not all of them). Anyway, try to use these rules just to understand some usage principles. These rules are:
- If the first verb happens before the second verb, use 'TO',
- If the second verb happens at the same time or before the first verb, use the -ing ending with the second verb.
Examples:
- I want to go out. (first I WANT and then I'll GO OUT)
- She stopped somoking (first she SMOKEd, then she STOPped)
- He agreed to do it. (first he AGREEd, then he DID it)
- I hope to go to the party (I first HOPE, and then GO to the party)
- I enjoyed going to the party (I ENJOYEd the party at the same time as I was there)
As you can see, those rules are not complicated. There are some students, however, that find them difficult to undestand--they even find them hard to use--so why not combining 'the lists' you have with those rules?
Well I have some practice for you next Friday. Meanwhile, hope you find the following chart useful (the chart was taken from Really Learn English!)
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