martes, 19 de marzo de 2013

Difference in meaning between the to-infinitive and -ing form

Algunos verbos pueden ir seguidos por to-infinitive o por -ing form con un cambio en el significado.

forget + to-infinitive = not remember - He forgot to lock the door.
forget + -ing form = not recall - I'll never forget travelling around India.


remember + to-infinitive = not forget - Did you remember to turn off all the lights?
remember + -ing form = recall - I remember talking to Jane at the party.


mean + to-infinitive = intend to - I'm sorry I never meant to upset you.
mean + -ing form = involve - If I get this job I'm afraid it will mean moving nearer to the city centre.


regret + to-infinitive = be sorry to (usado normalmente en el presente simple con verbos como say, inform, tell) - We regret to inform passengers that the British Airways flight to Heathrow has been cancelled.
regret + -ing form = feel sorry about - I regret losing touch with my old friend Stuart.


try + to-infinitive = do one's best, attempt - She tried to call you but she couldn't get through.
try + -ing form = do something as an experiment - Why don't you try changing the batteries?


stop + to-infinitive = stop temporarily in order to do something else - After a couple of hours we stopped to have a rest.
stop + -ing form = finish doing something - At five o'clock everyone stopped working  and went home.




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