Verb + ing or infinitive

1   She attempted _______________ (put up) the tent alone but it was really a two-person job.

• putting up

•    to put up

• to putting up

Answer explanation

Some common verbs are followed by the infinitive with to:

1) verbs of thinking and feeling: choose, hate, prefer...

2) verbs of saying: agree, refuse, promisse...

3) others: attempt, help, fail...

We had an argument and he stopped _______________(talk) to me.

• to talk

• talked

• talking

Answer explanation

Some verbs have a different meaning depending on whether they are followed by an -ing form or to + infinitive. 

Stop + -ing means the action is not happening any more.

I've stopped buying the newspaper because now I read the news online.

Stop + to + infinitive means that someone or something stops an activity so that they can do something else.

He stopped the video to ask the students some questions.

I remember _______________ (go) there as a child.

• going

• to go

• went

Answer explanation

Remember + -ing refer to having (or not having) a memory of something in the past.

I remember watching this film before.

Remember + to + infinitive refer to recalling (or not recalling) that there is something we need to do before we do it.

Please remember to buy some milk on the way home.

She forgot _______________ (turn) off the stove before leaving the house.

• to turn

• turned

• turning

Answer explanation

Forget + -ing refer to having (or not having) a memory of something in the past.

I'll never forget meeting you for the first time in this café.

Forget + to + infinitive refer to recalling (or not recalling) that there is something we need to do before we do it.

He forgot to lock the door when he went out.

The child started _______________ (scream) and no one told him to stop.

• to scream

• screaming

• was screaming

Answer explanation

Some verbs can take the -ing form or the to+infinitive with little or no change in meaning.

For example: begin, continue, prefer, start...

I started wondering what would happen if I lost my job.After a while, I started to wonder why she'd said that.

If you continue  _______________ (sit) like that, your back will hurt

• to sit

• are sitting

• sitting

Answer explanation

These verbs can be followed by either a to-infinitive or a gerund with almost no difference in meaning: beging, start, continue, cease, intend...

Kate continued wearing her wedding ring after her husband's death.

You continue to surprise me!

The hike was very difficult so I stopped_______________ (take) a rest.

• taking

• took

• to take

Answer explanation

Some verbs have a different meaning depending on whether they are followed by an -ing form or to + infinitive. 

Stop + -ing means the action is not happening any more.

I've stopped buying the newspaper because now I read the news online.

Stop + to + infinitive means that someone or something stops an activity so that they can do something else.

He stopped the video to ask the students some questions.

I can’t stand _______________ (wait) when someone is late.

• to wait

• wait

• waiting

Answer explanation

Some verbs can take the -ing form or the to+infinitive with little or no change in meaning.

Anne can't stand working the late.

Anne can't stand to work the late shif.          

I remember _______________ (leave) the house with my cell phone but now I can’t find it.

• left

• to leave

• leaving

Answer explanation

Remember + -ing refer to having (or not having) a memory of something in the past.

I remember watching this film before.

Remember + to + infinitive refer to recalling (or not recalling) that there is something we need to do before we do it.

Please remember to buy some milk on the way home.

I really like _______________ (go) to the local café

• go

• to go

• going

Answer explanation

Some verbs can take the -ing form or the to+infinitive with little or no change in meaning.

Do you like to be in control?

Do you like being in control?