She refused ---
53.2 Complete each sentence with a suitable verb.
1. Don't forget to post the letter I gave you.
2. There was a lot of traffic but we managed --- to the airport in time.
3. Jill has decided not --- a car.
4. We've got a new computer in our office. I haven't learnt --- it yet.
5. I wonder where Sue is. She promised not late.
6. We were all too afraid to speak. Nobody dared --- anything.
53.3 Put the verb into the correct form, to ... or ~ing. (See Unit 52 for verb + ~ing.)
1. When I'm tired, I enjoy .watching television. It's relaxing. (watch)
2. It was a nice day, so we decided --- for a walk. (go)
3. It's a nice day. Does anyone fancy --- for a walk? (go)
4. I'm not in a hurry. I don't mind --- (wait)
5. They don't have much money. They can't afford --- out very often. (go)
6. I wish that dog would stop --- It's driving me mad. (bark)
7. Our neighbour threatened --- the police if we didn't stop the noise. (call)
8. We were hungry, so I suggested --- dinner early. (have)
9. Hurry up! I don't want to risk --- the train. (miss)
10. I'm still looking for a job but I hope --- something soon. (find)
53.4 Make a new sentence using the verb in brackets.
1. He has lost weight. (seem)
_He seems to have lost weight._
2. Tom is worried about something. (appear)
Tom appears ---
3. You know a lot of people. (seem)
You ---
4. My English is getting better. (seem)
5. That car has broken down. (appear)
6. David forgets things. (tend)
7. They have solved the problem. (claim)
53.5 Complete each sentence using what/how/whether + one of these verbs:
do go ride say use
1. Do you know how to get John's house?
2. Can you show me --- this washing machine?
3. Would you know --- if there was a fire in the building?
4. You'll never forget --- a bicycle once you have learned.
5. I was really astonished. I didn't know ---
6. I've been invited to the party but I don't know --- or not.
UNIT 54. Verb + (object) + to... (I want (you) to do etc.)
A. want ask help would like would love
expect beg mean (= intend) would prefer would hate
These verbs are followed by to... (infinitive). The structure can be:
verb + to ...
* We expected to be late.
* Would you like to go now?
* He doesn't want to know.
or verb + object + to...
* We expected Tom to be late.
* Would you like me to go now?
* He doesn't want anybody to know.
Be careful with want. Do not say 'want that...':
* Do you want me to come with you? (not 'Do you want that I come')
After help you can use the infinitive with or without to. So you can say:
* Can you help me to move this table? or Can you help me move this table?
B. tell remind force enable teach order warn invite persuade get (= persuade, arrange for)
These verbs have the structure verb + object + to ... :
* Can you remind me to phone Ann tomorrow?
* Who taught you to drive?
* I didn't move the piano by myself. I got somebody to help me.
* Jim said the switch was dangerous and warned me not to touch it.
In the next example, the verb is passive (was warned):
* I was warned not to touch the switch.
Note that you cannot use suggest with the structure verb + object + to ...
* Jane suggested that I should buy a car. (not 'Jane suggested me to buy')
For suggest, see Units 34 and 52.
C. advise recommend encourage allow permit forbid
There are two possible structures after these verbs. Compare:
verb + ~ing (without an object)
* I wouldn't recommend staying in that hotel.
* She doesn't allow smoking in the house.
verb + object + to...
* I wouldn't recommend anybody to stay in that hotel.
* She doesn't allow us to smoke in the house.
Compare these examples with (be) allowed (passive):
* Smoking isn't allowed in the house.
* We aren't allowed to smoke in the house.
D. Make and let
These verbs have the structure verb + object + infinitive (without to):
* The customs officer made Sally open her case. (not 'to open')
* Hot weather makes me feel tired. (= causes me to feel tired)
* Her parents wouldn't let her go out alone. (= wouldn't allow her to go out)
* Let me carry your bag for you.
We say 'make somebody do...' (not 'to do'), but the passive is '(be) made to do ...' (infinitive with to):
* Sally was made to open her case (by the customs officer).
EXERCISES
54.1 Complete the questions, Use do you want me to ...? or would you like me to ...? with one of these verbs (+ any other necessary words): come lend repeat show shut wait
1. Do you want to go alone or _do you want me to come with you?_
2. Have you got enough money or do you want ---?
3. Shall I leave the window open or would you ---?
4. Do you know how to use the machine or would ---?
5. Did you hear what I said or do ---?
6. Can I go now or do ---?
54.2 Complete the sentences for each situation.
1. Look the door. OK.
She told him to lock the door.
2. Why don't you come and stay with us for a few day? Yes, I'd love to.
They invited him ---
3. Can I use your phone? No!
She wouldn't let ---
4. Be careful. Don't worry. I will.
She warned ---
5. Can you give me a hand? Yes, of course.
He asked ---
54.3 Complete these sentences so that the meaning is similar to the first sentence.
1. My father said I could use his car.
My father allowed _me to use his car._
2. I was surprised that it rained.
I didn't expect ---
3. Don't stop him doing what he wants.
Let ---
4. He looks older when he wears glasses.
Glasses make ---
5. I think you should know the truth.
I want ---
6. Don't let me forget to phone my sister.
Remind ---
7. At first I didn't want to apply for the job but Sarah persuaded me.
Sarah persuaded ---
8. My lawyer said I shouldn't say anything to the police.
My lawyer advised ---
9. I was told that I shouldn't believe everything he says.
I was warned ---
10. If you've got a car, you are able to travel round more easily.
Having a car enables ---
54.4 Put the verb in the right form: ~ing or infinitive (with or without to).
1. She doesn't allow smoking in the house. (smoke)
2. I've never been to Iceland but I'd like --- there. (go)
3. I'm in a difficult position. What do you advise me ---? (do)
4. She said the letter was personal and wouldn't let me ---it. (read)
5. We were kept at the police station for two hours and then we were allowed --- (go)
6. Where would you recommend me --- for my holidays? (go)
7. I wouldn't recommend --- in that restaurant. The food is awful. (eat)
8. The film was very sad. It made me --- (cry)
9. Carol's parents always encouraged her --- hard at school. (study)
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')
EXERCISES
55.1 Put the verb into the correct form, ~ing or to... . Sometimes either form is possible.
1. They denied _stealing_ the money. (steal)
2. I don't enjoy --- very much. (drive)
3. I don't want --- out tonight. I'm too tired. (go)
4. I can't afford --- out tonight. I haven't got enough money. (go)
5. Has it stopped --- yet? (rain)
6. Can you remind me --- some coffee when we go out? (buy)
7. Why do you keep --- me questions? Can't you leave me alone? (ask)
8. Please stop --- me questions! (ask)
9. I refuse --- any more questions. (answer)
10. One of the boys admitted --- the window. (break)
11. The boy's father promised --- for the window to be repaired. (pay)
12. Ann was having dinner when the phone rang. She didn't answer the phone; she just carried on ---. (eat)
13. 'How did the thief get into the house?' 'I forgot --- the window.' (shut)
14. I've enjoyed --- you. (meet) I hope --- you again soon. (see)
15. The baby began --- in the middle of the night. (cry)
16. Julia has been ill but now she's beginning --- better. (get)
55.2 Here is some information about Tom when be was a child.
1. He was in hospital when he was four.
2. He went to Paris when he was eight.
3. Once he fell into a river.
4. He cried on his first day at school.
5. He said he wanted to be a doctor.
6. Once he was bitten by a dog.
He can still remember 1, 2 and 4. But be can't remember 3, S and 6. Write sentences beginning He can remember ... or He can't remember...
1. He can remember being in hospital when he was four.
2. ---
3. ---
4. ---
5. ---
6. ---
55.3 Complete these sentences with a suitable verb in the correct form, ~ing or to ...
1. a. Please remember to lock the door when you go out.
b. A: You lent me some money a few months ago.
B: Did I? Are you sure? I don't remember --- you any money.
c. A: Did you remember --- your sister?
B: Oh no, I completely forgot. I'll phone her tomorrow.
d. When you see Mandy, remember --- her my regards, won't you?
e. Someone must have taken my bag. I clearly remember --- it by the window and now it has gone.
2. a. I believe that what I said was fair. I don't regret --- it.
b. (after a driving test) I regret --- that you have failed the test.
3. a. Keith joined the company 15 years ago. He was quickly promoted and became assistant manager after two years. A few years later he went on --- manager of the company.
b. I can't go on --- here any more. I want a different job.
c. When I came into the room, Liz was reading a newspaper. She looked up and said hello to me, and then went on --- her newspaper.
UNIT 56. Verb + ~ing or to ... (2) (try/need/help)
A. Try to ... and try ~ing
Try to do = attempt to do, make an effort to do:
* I was very tired. I tried to keep my eyes open but I couldn't.
* Please try to be quiet when you come home. Everyone will be asleep.
Try also means 'do something as an experiment or test'. For example:
* These cakes are delicious. You must try one. (= you must have one to see if you like it)
* We couldn't find anywhere to stay. We tried every hotel in the town but they were
all full. (= we went to every hotel to see if they had a room)
If try (with this meaning) is followed by a verb, we say try ~ing:
* A: The photocopier doesn't seem to be working.
B: Try pressing the green button. (= press the green button - perhaps this will help to solve the problem)
Compare:
* I tried to move the table but it was too heavy. (so I couldn't move it)
* 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 still didn't look right, so I moved it back again.
B. Need to ... and need ~ing
I need to do something = it is necessary for me to do it:
* I need to take more exercise.
* He needs to work harder if he wants to make progress.
* I don't need to come to the meeting, do I?
Something needs doing = something needs to be done:
* The batteries in the radio need changing. (= they need to be changed)
* Do you think my jacket needs cleaning? (= ... needs to be cleaned)
* It's a difficult problem. It needs thinking about very carefully. (= it needs to be thought about)
C. Help and can't help
You can say 'help to do' or 'help do' (infinitive with or without to):
* Everybody helped to clean up after the party. or Everybody helped clean up ...
* Can you help me to move this table? or Can you help me move ...
There is also an expression 'can't/couldn't help doing something'. 'I can't help doing something' = I can't stop myself from doing it:
* I don't like him but he has a lot of problems. I can't help feeling sorry for him.
* She tried to be serious but she couldn't help laughing. (= she couldn't stop herself from laughing)
* I'm sorry I'm so nervous. I can't help it. (= I can't help being nervous)
EXERCISES
56.1 Make helpful suggestions. Each time write a sentence using try + one of the following
suggestions: phone him at work move the aerial change the batteries turn it the other way take an aspirin
1. The radio isn't working. I wonder what's wrong with it.
_Have you tried changing the batteries?_
2. I can't open the door. The key won't turn.
Try ---
3. The TV picture isn't very good. What can I do about it?
Have you ---
4. I can't contact Fred. He's not at home. What shall I do?
Why don't you ---
5. I've got a terrible headache. I wish it would go.
Have you ---
56.2 For each picture write a sentence with need(s) + one of the following verbs:
clean cut empty redecorate tighten
1. Her jacket is dirty. It needs cleaning.
2. The grass is very long. It ---
3. The room isn't very nice ---
4. The screws arc loose ---
5. The bin is full ---
56.3 Put the verb into the correct form, ~ing or to... .
1. a. I was very tired. I tried to keep (keep) my eyes open but I couldn't.
b. I rang the doorbell but there was no answer. Then I tried --- (knock) on the door, but there was still no answer.
c. We tried --- (put) the fire out but we were unsuccessful. We had to call the fire brigade.
d. Sue needed to borrow some money. She tried --- (ask) Gerry but he was short of money too.
e. I tried --- (reach) the shelf but I wasn't tall enough.
f. Please leave me alone. I'm trying --- (concentrate).
2. a. I need a change. I need --- (go) away for a while.
b. She isn't able to look after herself. She needs --- (look) after.