35 min
The Infinitive vs
the -ING Form 2
the -ING Form 2
1 topic
1 task
1.
In the previous mission, we discussed verbs that are used with either an infinitive or an -ING form. There are adjectives like that as well.
1. ACCUSTOMED TO, COMMITTED TO
These two are unusual since TO can be seen as either a particle or a preposition.
- I’m not accustomed to give personal information about myself to strangers.
- I’m not accustomed to giving personal information about myself to strangers.
- He’s committed to provide for his family.
- He’s committed to providing for his family.
2. AFRAID
To talk about fear of things that happen accidentally, we prefer afraid of -ING.
In other cases, we can use afraid of -ING or afraid + infinitive with no difference in meaning.
- I don’t like to drive fast because I’m afraid of crashing.
- Why are you so quiet? — I'm afraid of waking the children.
In other cases, we can use afraid of -ING or afraid + infinitive with no difference in meaning.
- I’m not afraid to tell her the truth.
- I’m not afraid of telling her the truth.
3. CERTAIN AND SURE
Certain / sure of -ING are used to refer to the feelings of the person one is talking about.
Certain / sure + infinitive refer to the speaker’s or writer’s own feelings.
- Before the game she felt certain of winning, but after a few minutes she realised it wasn’t going to be so easy.
- You seem very sure of passing the exam. I hope you’re right.
Certain / sure + infinitive refer to the speaker’s or writer’s own feelings.
- The repairs are certain to cost more than you think.
- Jackson’s sure to win — the other guy hasn’t got a chance.
- He is sure to succeed. = I am sure that he will succeed.
4. INTERESTED
To talk about reactions to things one learns, interested + infinitive is commonly used.
To talk about a wish to find out something, both interested in -ING and interested + infinitive are common.
To talk about a wish to do something, we use interested with an -ING form.
- I was interested to read in the paper that scientists have found out how to talk to whales.
- I’m interested to see that Alice and Jake are going out together.
- I shall be interested to see how long it lasts.
To talk about a wish to find out something, both interested in -ING and interested + infinitive are common.
- I’m interested to find out what she did with all that money.
- I’m interested in finding out what she did with all that money.
- Aren’t you interested to know whether I’m pregnant?
- Aren’t you interested in knowing whether I’m pregnant?
To talk about a wish to do something, we use interested with an -ING form.
- I’m interested in working in Switzerland.
5. SORRY
Sorry for / about -ING is used to refer to past things that one regrets. That-clauses are also very common in an informal style.
More formally, sorry + perfect infinitive can be used with the same meaning.
Sorry + infinitive is used to apologise for current situations – things that one is doing or going to do, or that one has just done.
- I'm sorry for losing my temper this morning.
- I'm sorry about losing my temper this morning.
- I'm sorry that I lost my temper.
More formally, sorry + perfect infinitive can be used with the same meaning.
- I'm sorry to have woken you up.= I'm sorry that I woke you up.
Sorry + infinitive is used to apologise for current situations – things that one is doing or going to do, or that one has just done.
- Sorry to disturb you – could I speak to you for a moment?
- I'm sorry to tell you that you failed the exam.
- Sorry to keep you waiting – we can start now.
2.
NOUNS
NOUN + OF -ING
NOUN + OF -ING: cost, effect, fear, habit, likelihood, possibility, probability, problem, prospect, risk, sign.
- He's got into the habit of biting his nails when he's nervous.
NOUN + TO-INFINITIVE
NOUN + TO-INFINITIVE: ability, attempt, concern, decision, desire, determination, failure, inability, permission, proposal, reason, refusal, reluctance, (un)willingness
- His unhappy childhood explains his reluctance to talk about his parents.
NOUN + OF -ING / TO-INFINITIVE
NOUN + OF -ING / TO-INFINITIVE (similar meaning, usually after the):
- Do staff have the opportunity of taking unpaid leave?
- Do staff have the opportunity to take unpaid leave?
- The aim to provide clean drinking water has been achieved.
- The aim of providing clean drinking water has been achieved.
With chance, sense and way, the meaning will be different depending on the form:
- What's the chance of getting five heads when you toss a coin five times? (= likelihood)
- Will you get the chance to visit Miki in Japan? (= opportunity)
- He didn't have the sense to move away from the puddle of water as the bus went past. (= good judgement)
- Everyone was very friendly and she had a sense of belonging within a few days of moving to her new school. (= feeling)
- I've got a new way to cook rice. (= method)
- She has a really funny way of speaking. (= manner)
Note also that OF + -ING usually follows no / every / the sole / the slightest / (not) any / with the + ambition, idea, intention, option, plan but that we can use either OF + -ING or a to-infinitive in most other cases. Compare:
- I have no intention of lending Dan any more money.
- He announced his intention to stand in the election.
3.
Note that TO could be a PREPOSITION, not a PARTICLE:
- I look forward to your next letter.
- I look forward to hearing from you.
- Do you object to Sunday work?
- Do you object to working on Sundays?
- I'm not used to London traffic.
- I'm not used to driving in London.
- I prefer the seaside to the mountains.
- I prefer swimming to walking.
- I'll get round to the dishes sooner or later.
- I'll get round to doing the dishes sooner or later.
END OF GUIDE
Stay alert — next up are the assessment task.
Hit the test to reinforce what you’ve learned.
Hit the test to reinforce what you’ve learned.
Remember the classified task?
Time to get back to it.
Time to get back to it.
