Verb + -ing or to. (1) - English lesson

Verb + -ing or to... (1)

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

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.

Begin/ start/ intend/ continue/ bother