ING & TO Module 2: Entension od the Basics

English Grammar & Use - B1+ Suite

Mid B1

START

Gerunds & Infinitives Module 2

Extension of the basics:

• LIKE -ING or LIKE TO?
• VERBS with both -ING & TO
• SOME EXPRESSIONS THAT USE -ING
• SOME INFINITIVE FORMS THAT INDICATE THE FUTURE

• CONTENT
• CONTENT
• CONTENT

OUTCOME STATEMENT. A deeper understanding of the nuance between using ING or INFINITIVE with certain verbs. Vocabulary extension. Greater flexibility in talking about Future events.

STUDY TIME: 25 Minutes QUIZ

Content Menu

ING & TO 2 Extension of the Basics

Verbs with both G & I

LikeING/TO

Infinitives with Future Meanings

Phraseswith ING

Like - Love - Prefer - Hate

These verbs are most commonly used with a gerund, but can also take the infinitive with a slight change in meaning:

1. Use with a gerund to show your general feelings:

• I like* walking in the park.

• I love being on the beach when it's sunny.

• In general, I hate being late.

2. Use an infinitive to show what you think is a good/bad idea or to give a specific preference:

• I don't like to walk in the park after dark. means: I don't think it's a good idea/I prefer not to

• I like to pay my taxes on time, but I don't like* paying them. means: I think it's a good idea to pay tax on time, not that I enjoy doing it.

• I usually like* eating out, but on Saturdays I like to eat at home because the restaurants are too busy.

• I don't like* going to the dentist at all, but I like to go twice a year for a check-up.

please note that you can replace like with enjoy where there is * above.

Reflect on the examples below. Click on your choice to reveal the correct answer

sitting

to sit

sitting

to sit

near to the emergency exit.

1. When flying, I like

flying

flying

to fly

to fly

2. I like , it doesn't scare me at all.

to bed early.

going

to go

going

to go

3. If I'm tired, I like

Begin - Start - Continue - Bother - Intend

2. Sometimes a gerund follows a progressive verb, e.g.

1. These common verbs use either the gerund or the infinitive with no change in meaning:

• I'm going shopping now. See you later.

• I'm enjoying reading this book.

• I'm practicing speaking like an American for my next film role.

• I love going skiing in the winter
• I'm consiwdering buying a new car
• We're enjoying staying with you, thanks for inviting us.

The baby has begun crying. The baby has begun to cry. It started raining. It started to rain. He continued driving, despite the heavy snow storm. He continued to drive, despite the heavy snow storm. Don't bother tidying the kitchen, I'll do it later. Don't bother to tidy the kitchen, I'll do it later. He intends buying a new car soon. He intends to buy a new car soon.

2.1 Progressive + gerund is common with these verbs; enjoy - go - practice - consider

1.2 However, if the first verb is progressive, use an infinitive.

It's starting to rain. not It's starting raining. He's continuing to drive... not He's continuing driving. I'm not bothering to tidy the kitchen tonight. not I'm not bothering tidying the kitchen tonight.

Common expressions with GERUNDS

Can't/Couldn't face + ING

Means not wanting to do something or deal with something

• I can't face going to work tomorrow.

• I can't face doing the accounts now. I'll do them later.

• I can't face seeing her again after what I said. I'm too embarrased.

Can't/Couldn't help + ING

Means "I'm not able to stop myself from doing/being/etc"

• I can't help feeling anxious before doing exams.

• I can't help laughing even though it's not funny.

• I can't help wondering where I'll be in five years' time.

There's no use + ING & It's no good + ING

Expresses that doing something is a complete waste of time/effort.

• There's no use calling him for help, he's on holiday in Barbados.

• It's no good taking an umbrella if there's going to be a hurricane.

Have trouble/difficulty/problems + ING

Expresses that something isn't easy

• I'm having trouble booking a table for tonight.

• I had some difficulty fixing the table in excel.

There's no/little point (in) + ING

Expresses that doing something has no or little advantage or is a partial waste of time/effort.

• There's little point planning a picnic. It's going to rain.

• There's no point asking him. He won't know.

I think doing X is better than doing Y.

Common structure when comparing options.

• I think that buying an off-the-shelf software solution is better than trying to make one ourselves.
• I think going by train will be quicker than flying.

To be busy + ING

• I'll be busy cleaning the flat all weekend.

• I didn't hear your phone call. I was busy playing guitar.

Expresses that your time is occupied doing something.

It's a waste of NOUN + ING

• It's a waste of time calling the help line, it's always busy.

• It's a waste of money buying things that you don't need.

• It's a waste of effort cleaning the car before a storm.

"Future" Infinitives

The following forms all reference future actions and situations.

For more about a) see the SURFACE Module '3Futures' & For more about b) see the SURFACE Module 'Predictions'

1. To Be Going To

Used when a) we report decisions which we have already made & b) we predict future events based on current situations or evidence.

1a) In both cases the speaker is using going to to report a decison which they took before telling someone about it. Going to can be substituted with have decided to.

1b) In both cases the speaker is using going to to predict a future event based on some form of evidence

Common sources of evidence include: 1. Our senses: It looks like/I feel like... 2. News & Weather reports

It's going to snow later today according to my weather app.

I'm going to wash the car later.

I'm going to skip lunch today, I've got too much work to do.

That wall looks like it's going to fall down soon. You'd better get it repaired.

In colloquial spoken English & informal writing going to is substituted by gonna. The 'a' in gonna represents the 'to' in going to

To indicate that we have already decided on something that will be in progress at a specific future time we can use to be going to be + ING

I'm gonna be wearing a pink jacket so that you can recognise me when we meet tomorrow.

I'm gonna have a coffee after the meeting.

When a future event happens according to a pre-arranged schedule or timetable, we can use this form to talk about the schedule.

He's due to get here any minute now.

The train is due to arrive in 5 minutes

3. To Be Due To

The 'scheduled' future

When a future event is very near we often use to be about to to communicate a sense of urgency.

Shh! The concert's about to begin.

Hurry Up! The train's about to leave!!

2. To Be About To

The 'immediate' future

The UK Prime Minister is to visit Italy next week.

Generally used only in formal register and journalism to indicate future events.

5. To Be To

The 'formal/journalistic' future

When we have 'reason to believe' that an event happens at a future point, we can use to be expected to. It is similar in meaning to the modal verb should

She is expected to pass the exam.

He is expected to arrive by 7pm, traffic permitting.

5. To Be Expected To

The 'should happen' future

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