Life

Intermediate Unit 8a
Verb patterns: -ing form and to + infinitive

How do you learn new words?

rds?
Tick ( ) the techniques you use for learning new words in English.
A I translate the word in my notebook in case I want to read it again later.
er.
B I practise repeating the word a few times.
C I like writing a sentence with a new word, or sometimes I like to draw a
picture of it.
D I learn by listening to the new word.
E It’s also fun to speak in English with friends, and I try to
keep using new words in our conversation.
F Reading is useful for learning new words, so I choose interesting
books in English.
How many did you tick? Why not try them all?

Presentation

The main verb in a sentence is sometimes followed by verb + preposition + -ing form
a second verb. This verb can be the -ing form or the When a preposition follows the first verb, the next verb
infinitive form. The choice depends on the main verb. uses the -ing form:
Which of these techniques do you use for learning new
verb + -ing form
words in English?
Certain verbs are always followed by the -ing form:
I learn by hearing the new word.
I keep using it in conversation for the rest of the day.
Common verbs followed by a preposition + the -ing
Common verbs only followed by the -ing form: consider, form: apologize for, learn by / from, plan on, stop from,
dislike, enjoy, finish, imagine, involve, keep, mind, thank somebody for, think of / about, use for, worry about
postpone, practise, suggest
-ing form as subject
verb + to-infinitive
You can use the -ing form of a verb as the subject of
Certain verbs are always followed by the to-infinitive form: the sentence:
I want to read it again later. Reading is useful for learning new words.
Common verbs followed by to-infinitive: agree, decide,
expect, hope, learn, manage, need, offer, plan, promise, adjective + to infinitive
seem, want You often use to + infinitive after an adjective:
It’s fun to speak in English with friends.
verb + -ing form and to-infinitive
You can follow verbs such as begin, continue, hate, like,
love, prefer, start with either form with no difference in
meaning:
I like writing sentences. ✓ I like to draw pictures. ✓

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 Intermediate Unit 8a
Exercises

Exercises
1 Match 1–8 with a–h.
1 I plan to a can be boring sometimes.
2 We enjoy visiting b new countries.
3 They dislike c to visit Patagonia for the first time.
4 Travelling d about going round the world, but they never do.
5 My sister is really good at e going to very hot places.
6 It was amazing f visit New Zealand one day.
7 This hotel seems to have g finding cheap flights.
8 They often talk h a nice swimming pool.
2 Choose the correct option. In one sentence, both answers are possible.
1 I never learn by to write / writing words down.
2 I’m pleased meeting / to meet you!
3 Don’t keep to turn / turning your music up so loud.
4 Did the owners of the company agree to pay / paying us more money?
5 I hope to become / becoming a professional football player after school.
6 Swimming / To swim is really good exercise.
7 My neighbour paid me for to clean / cleaning his car.
8 Let’s postpone to go / going out tonight. I’m too busy.
9 This MP3 player doesn’t seem to work / working.
10 Are you going to apologize for to hit / hitting your little sister?
11 Your grandparents were so happy to see / seeing you.
12 I began studying / to study English when I was eight.
3 Complete the text with the correct form of the verbs.
Good morning everyone and thank you for 1 (come) today. Do you dislike 2
(look) for new words in a thick, heavy dictionary? Do you think it would be great 3 (have)
instant access to the world’s biggest dictionary in every language? Well, today I want 4 (present)
the latest in electronic dictionaries, the XtraLingo. It’s so simple 5 (use) it. First of all, you need
6
(press) the ON button. Then you begin by 7 (type) in a word in English and
the machine will automatically give you the translation in any language. And don’t worry about
8
(carry) it around because the XtraLingo is the size of a mobile phone.

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