1. Unit 7 Verb + to-infinitive/bare infinitive or -ing
Grammar & Usage
Unit 7 Verb + to-infinitive/bare infinitive or -ing
7.1 Uses
7.2 to-infinitive or -ing
Grammar Practice
Part A
Part B
Part C
Language Practice
Part A
Part B
Part C
Part D

2. 7.1 Uses
 We can use either a to-infinitive or -ing after the following verbs, without changing meaning.
start continue begin intend like
love propose prefer advise bear
hate recommend bother permit allow
Teacher’s notes
P.53

3. We were about to leave when it started
to rain.
raining.
to-infinitive
-ing
P.53

4. P.53 1 We do not normally use the -ing after the
continuous forms of begin, start and continue (to
avoid having two -ing endings).
 Correct: It’s starting to rain.
 Wrong: It’s starting raining.
We also use the infinitive form of the verbs like
understand, know, realise, like, admire after start,
begin and continue.
After working with him for some time, I
began to admire his flexibility.
P.53

5. P.53 2 We most often use the to-infinitive after would like.
I would like to read the novel.
3 It is more common to use a to-infinitive after prefer.
She doesn’t like meetings in the morning.
She prefers to have them in the evening.
We also use prefer in these structures:
He prefers going for a swim to playing
tennis.
He prefers to go for a swim than to play
P.53

6. P.53 When we talk about what we would prefer to do in a
particular situation, we use would prefer + to-
infinitive.
A: It’s hot. Let’s go out for a cold drink.
B: I’d prefer to stay at home and have a
drink.
Compare: I’d rather stay at home and
have a drink.
P.53

7. P.53 4 When verbs such as advise and allow are followed
by a personal object (me, us, etc.), they require the
use of the to-infinitive. Without the personal object,
the gerund is used.
He advised an Octopus card.
They won’t allow here.
buying
us to buy
parking
us to park
P.53

8. P.54 I saw him talking on the phone, so I thought I’d better wait.
 We can use the bare infinitive (the infinitive without to) or verb + -ing after see, notice, watch, observe, hear, overhear, feel, etc. if the action is in progress.
I saw him talking on the phone, so I thought I’d
better wait.
We use the bare infinitive when we see, hear, etc.
an action from beginning to end.
People rushed to help the old man when
they saw him fall into the water.
P.54

9. 7.2 to-infinitive or -ing P.54
The verbs below may be followed by the to-infinitive or -ing, depending on the meaning we want to express.
P.54

10. P.54 We use the -ing when we remember/forget something after we do it.
I remember meeting you at John’s party last
month.
We use the to-infinitive when we remember/forget something before we have to do it.
I must remember to post the letter for you on
my way to school tomorrow.
P.54

11. P.54 When we try to do something, we make an effort to do it.
Tom: You’re late.
Pat: Sorry. I tried to get a taxi, but I couldn’t.
When we try doing something, we do it and see what happens.
Tom: I can’t get this price sticker off my new mug.
Pat: Why don’t you try soaking the mug in water?
P.54

12. P.54 If we stop doing something, we no longer do it.
When the teacher came in, the students stopped
talking.
If we stop to do something, we stop what we are doing
so that we can do something else.
While on his way to work, he stopped to buy a
newspaper.
P.54

13. P.54 We use go on + -ing to describe something that continues.
 go on (= continue)
We use go on + -ing to describe something that continues.
We told him to take a rest, but he wouldn’t listen.
He went on painting the flat until he finished the whole thing.
We use go on + to-infinitive to describe a change.
After he finished the living room, he went on to
paint the bedroom.
P.54

14. P.55 We use regret + -ing to show that we feel sorry
for something we did.
I didn’t mean to hurt her. I regret shouting at
her.
We use regret + to-infinitive when we are sorry for
what we must do now.
I regret to inform you that you have not been
chosen for the position.
P.55

15.  mean
When we use mean to show something will result in something else, we use the -ing form after the verb.
We can’t afford to miss the ferry. It’ll mean
waiting another half an hour.
We use mean + to-infinitive to say that we intend to do something.
I meant to call you last night, but I forgot.
P.55

16. P.55 We use be afraid of + -ing when we are afraid
there is a possibility that the action in the gerund will
happen.
I don’t like climbing. I’m afraid of falling.
We use be afraid + to-infinitive to say that we do not
have the courage to do something because of the results
that the action in the infinitive may bring about.
I’m afraid to ask her again for help. She may
get angry.
P.55

17.  sorry
We use sorry + for + -ing to apologise for something we have done.
I’m sorry for being late. I was held up in a traffic
jam.
We use sorry + to hear, learn, see, read, etc. to show sympathy for somebody.
We’re sorry to hear that your apartment was
broken into.
P.55

18. P.55 We use sorry + to-infinitive before we do something as
a polite way of excusing ourselves.
I’m sorry to bother you, but could you please
tell me how to get to the MTR station?
P.55

19. P.55 We use interested in doing something when we are eager to do it.
Many of my classmates are interested in
learning Japanese.
We say interested to know, learn, see, hear something
when we want to find out more.
Tell me about your plan. I’m interested to hear
more about it.
P.55

20.  be used to
We use be used to + -ing to mean ‘be accustomed to’. We can use this phrase with different tenses.
After living here for some time, Mr Brown is now
used to driving on the left.
When Mr Brown first came to Hong Kong, he
was not used to driving on the left.
We use used + to-infinitive for former habits.
Mrs Tam used to drive a school bus before she
retired.
P.55-56

21. P.56 1 We can say get (= become) used to instead of be used to.
Having lived here for a few months, Mr
Brown has now got used to driving on the
left.
2 We can also use a pronoun, a noun or noun
phrase after be/get used to:
I’ve lived in Canada for years, but I’m still
not used to the cold weather.
Jane sometimes does things on impulse You’ll get used to it.
P.56

22. Grammar Practice
Use either the infinitive or the gerund form of the given verbs to complete the following sentences. Where two answers are possible, write ONE answer only. The first one has been done for you.
Teacher’s notes
P.56

23. P.56 1 I hope he will remember ____ (bring) to bring
the novel when he comes this evening.
2 After dinner, Mary continued ____ (do)
her homework.
3 It’s very kind of you to offer me a lift,
but I’d prefer ____ (walk) home. It’s
such a beautiful day!
4 Would you like ____ (listen) to some
music?
(1) _____________
(2) _____________
(3) _____________
(4) _____________
to bring
to do/doing
to walk/walking
to listen
P.56

24. P.56 5 Do you like ____ (play) chess? to play/playing
6 I’d like ____ (travel) to Europe one day.
7 It won’t take you long to get used to
____ (work) with your new colleagues.
8 I can’t wait ____ (see) her again.
9 When will he start ____ (teach) you
how to use the computer?
(5) _____________
(6) _____________
(7) _____________
(8) _____________
(9) _____________
to play/playing
to travel
working
to see
to teach/ teaching
P.56

25. P.56 10 My sister went to university, and I hope to go ____ (go) too.
11 I can’t imagine ____ (stand) on top of
that tall building. I’d feel dizzy.
12 Do you remember when we went ____
(cycle) around Tai Po last year? What a
wonderful time we had!
(10) ____________
(11) ____________
(12) ____________
to go
standing
cycling
P.56

26. Complete the following dialogues using either the infinitive or gerund form of the verbs in the box below. Where either form would be acceptable, write BOTH. The first one has been done for you.
P.57

27. P.57 1 A: I’m bored. Let’s go out for a walk.
B: It’s beginning _________________ . We’d better
wait until it stops.
2 A: How do you know Jane won’t be there?
B: I heard her _________________ Tony.
to rain
tell
P.57
BOX

28. P.57 3 A: Do you know why John and Mary broke up?
B: No, all I know is that they’ve stopped _____________
each other.
4 A: I’m going to Guangzhou next week. Would you
recommend going by plane or train?
B: I’d recommend your _________________ the train.
It’s cheaper and quite comfortable.
seeing
taking
P.57
BOX

29. P.57 5 A: Climbing that mountain will be hard work.
B: I know, but I’d like _________________ .
6 A: Let’s buy some peanuts for the monkeys.
B: But they don’t allow us _________________ the
animals.
to try
to feed
P.57
BOX

30. P.57 7 A: There’s no one in the office.
B: It’s lunchtime. The staff will return _______________
after their break.
8 A: Why didn’t you buy a new car?
B: Because it meant _________________ more than I can
afford.
to work
spending
P.57
BOX

31. to explain/explaining
9 A: When will the replacement teacher start?
B: I think he’ll start ________________________ us next
week.
10 A: Did you manage to persuade Jane to give up on the
idea?
B: No. I tried __________________________ the risk to
her, but she wouldn’t change her mind.
to teach/teaching
to explain/explaining
P.57
BOX

32. Read the first sentence of each question, then complete the second sentence. Make sure you retain the original meaning. The first one has been done for you.
P.58

33. P.58 1 Will you please wait a moment?
Would you mind _________________________________
_______________________________________________
2 Their proposal is worthy of consideration.
Their proposal is worth ____________________________
waiting a moment?
considering.
P.58

34. P.58 3 The minister failed to bring inflation under control.
The minister did not succeed _______________________
_______________________________________________
4 He made the same mistake.
He kept ________________________________________
in bringing inflation
under control.
making the same mistake.
P.58

35. P.58 5 Paul does not write to her anymore.
Paul has stopped _________________________________
_______________________________________________
6 The suspect said that he did not commit the crime.
The suspect denied _______________________________
writing to her.
having committed the crime/
committing the crime.
P.58

36. P.58 7 Jessica hates to wear jeans on a hot day.
Jessica does not like _______________________________
_______________________________________________
8 Is she able to handle difficult customers?
Is she capable ___________________________________
to wear/wearing jeans on a hot
day.
of handling difficult customers?
P.58

37. P.58 9 I hate hearing her say such things.
I can’t bear _____________________________________
_______________________________________________
10 ‘I stole the car.’
‘I admit ________________________________________
_______________________________________ .’
to hear her say such things/hearing
her say such things.
having stolen the car/stealing the car
P.58

38. Language Practice
Match the half-sentences in Column A with those in Column B. Each letter in Column B can be used only ONCE. The first one has been done for you.
P.59

39. Column A P.59 1 My mother is good
2 When I saw the photo, I couldn’t help
3 After finishing school he intends
4 My brother doesn’t mind
5 My grandmother prefers travelling by train
_________ G F E A H
P.59
COLUMN B

40. Column A P.59 6 My mother likes
7 After finishing the novel she went on
8 After they’d been working for three hours,
they stopped
_________ B D C
P.59
COLUMN B

41. Read the first sentence then complete the second
Read the first sentence then complete the second. The first one has been done for you.
P.59

42. suffering from food poisoning
1 Janet has a nasty cold. We’ve advised her ______________
_________________________ .
2 It’s still raining. Instead of going outside, I’d rather ______
___________________________ .
3 Is Miss Chan in, please? I’d like ____________________ .
4 The man is still in hospital. He’s suspected _____________
____________________________________ .
to see a
doctor immediately
home and watch TV
stay
to talk to her
to be
suffering from food poisoning
P.59

43. P.59 5 I hardly ever go to the cinema. I prefer ________________
______________________________________ .
6 The doctor said I was unfit. He recommended that I
________________________ .
7 My grandma is in poor health. She’s been ______________
_________________ .
8 I can’t find my keys. I remember _____________________
__________________ , but they aren’t there now.
films to come out on DVD
to wait for
exercise regularly
suffering
from arthritis
leaving them on
the table
P.59

44. Your friend (A) is telling you something
Your friend (A) is telling you something. Respond to your friend’s statements below by using the words in brackets to complete the sentence. The first one has been done for you.
P.60

45. P.60 1 A: The light was on when I got up this morning. (turn off/
it/last night)
B: Your brother must have forgotten _________________
___________________________________________
2 A: Carol missed the chance of meeting him. (not/go/party)
B: I know. She now regrets _______________________
to turn it off
last night.
not having gone to
the party/not going to the party.
P.60

46. P.60 3 A: I was annoyed by her remark. (hurt/you)
B: She didn’t mean _____________________________
___________________________________________
4 A: My MP3 player isn’t working. (change/batteries)
B: Have you tried _______________________________
to hurt you.
changing the batteries?
P.60

47. P.60 5 A: She said that she had explained the details to you in
her . (receive/ )
B: I don’t remember ______________________________
____________________ from her in the past few weeks.
6 A: Linda told me she didn’t know anything about the
picnic. (contact/her)
B: I’ve tried _____________________________________
several times, but each time she was out.
receiving an /having
received an
to contact her
P.60

48. P.60 7 A: You don’t seem to get along with Helen. (difficult/
understand/her)
B: I’ve always found ____________________________
___________________________________________
it difficult to understand
her/her difficult to understand.
Teacher’s notes
P.60

49. P.60 8 A: You should have told Thomas to behave himself.
(hurt/feelings)
B: I was afraid _________________________________
___________________________________________
of hurting his feelings/to hurt
his feelings.
P.60

50. P.60 Read the news report then complete the conversation
between Mr and Mrs Chan on the following page, using ONE suitable word for each blank. The first one has been done for you as an example.
P.60

51. Serial Housebreaker Sentenced to 41/2 Years
A serial housebreaker has been jailed for four years and six months. Lau Wing Tai, 37, who pleaded guilty in the District Court to three counts of burglary, broke into three housing estate apartments between November 23 and December 9 last year. The court was told that Lau stole jewellery from a flat in Ho Man Tin. Two weeks later he stole cash from a flat in Cheung Sha Wan while the occupants were sleeping. Two days later he entered a flat in Hunghom, and once again stole jewellery. 
Serial Housebreaker Sentenced to 41/2 Years
P.60

52. P.61 In a café Mrs Chan Look at this; it (1) that a man
who (2) burglary in three housing
estates has been (3) to prison.
Mr Chan That’s good news, isn’t it?
Mrs Chan Indeed it is! I hope they’ll soon
(4) the man who (5) into the flat
below ours, too.
(1) ____________
(2) ____________
(3) ____________
(4) ____________
(5) ____________
says
committed
sent
catch
broke
P.61
NEWS REPORT

53. P.61 Mr Chan You mean Mrs Chow’s?
Mrs Chan Yes. The burglar’s said to have
(6) off with all her life savings.
Mr Chan So I heard. I (7) so sorry for her.
She’s old and weak, and she has
no one to look (8) her.
(6) ____________
(7) ____________
(8) ____________
made
feel
after
P.61
NEWS REPORT

54. P.61 Mrs Chan It always makes me (9) sad feel
whenever I think (10) people like
her. By the way, speaking (11)
burglary, did you remember to lock
the door when we went out?
Mr Chan Yes, I remember (12) it and (13)
the key to you.
(9) ____________
(10) ____________
(11) ____________
(12) ____________
(13) ____________
feel
about of
locking
handing
P.61
NEWS REPORT

55. P.61 Mrs Chan You did? Let me (14) . The key check/see
isn’t in my bag.
Mr Chan But I saw you (15) the key in
your bag. (16) your bag again. It
must (17) there.
Mrs Chan No, it isn’t. Did you really give
it to me?
(14) ____________
(15) ____________
(16) ____________
(17) ____________
check/see
put
Check be
P.61
NEWS REPORT

56. P.61 Mr Chan Yes, I ... (18) a minute. You went Wait
to the bathroom just now. Could
you have (19) it in there?
Mrs Chan If I had, I’d have heard it (20) on
the ground.
(18) ____________
(19) ____________
(20) ____________
Wait
dropped
fall/drop
P.61
NEWS REPORT