Gerunds/Infinitives

A. Circle the correct words to complete these ideas from a book about memory.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Get into the habit of repeating/ to repeat things aloud.

Never rely on someone else's memory. Learn trusting / to trust your own.
It's easy forgetting / to forget what you don't want remembering / to remember.
Study immediately before going / to go to sleep. You'll remember a lot more.
Our memories are filled with things we never meant remembering / to remember.

Make it a habit to look back at your car every time you get out and you'll never forget turning off / to
turn off your headlights.
7. Playing / To play games is a fun way of improving / to improve your memory skills.

B. Complete the sentences with prepositions followed by gerunds.

1 After a long time we eventually succeeded...a flat. (find)

2 I've been thinking.........................................for a new job. (look)
3 His parents didn't approve.............................him.............................out so late. (stay)
4 I wonder what prevented him..........................................to the party. (come)
5 I'm getting hungry. I'm looking forward.............................................dinner. (have)
6 I don't feel.........................................today. (study)
7 Forgive me........................................you but I must ask you a question. (interrupt)
8 The arrested man was suspected.......................................into a house. (break)
9 Have you ever thought.........................................married? (get)
10 I've always dreamed.......................................on a small island in the Pacific. (live)
11 The cold water didn't stop her........................................a swim. (have)
12 Have you ever been accused.....................................a crime? (commit)
13 She apologised......................................so rude to me. (be)
14 We have decided.....................................a new car. (buy)
15 Jack insisted............................................ ..by himself. (go)
C.

Transform the sentences. Begin each o f your sentences in the way shown.

Example: 'It was nice of you to help me. Thanks very much.' (George said to you)
George thanked me. forhelping. him.

'I'll drive you to the station. I insist.' (Tom said to Ann)

Tom insisted............................................................................................................................

'I hear you passed your examinations. Congratulations!' (Jim said to you)

Jim congratulated ...................................................................................................................

3

'It was nice of you to visit me. Thank you.' (Mrs Dent said to Sue)
Mrs Dent thanked....................................................................................................................

'Don't stay at the hotel near the airport.' (I said to Jack)

I warned ..................................................................................................................................
5

'I'm sorry I didn't phone you earlier.' (Margaret said to you)

Margaret apologised.......................not ..................................................................................

'You didn't pay attention to what I said.' (The teacher said to the boy)

The teacher accused ..............................................................................................................

D. Put the verb into the gerund or infinitive. (Sometimes either form is possible.)

1 A: You lent me some money a few months ago.

B: Did I? That's strange. I don't remember..........................................(lend) you any money.
2 We tried.........................................(put) the fire out but we were unsuccessful. We had to call the firebrigade.
3 When you see Tom, remember...................................(give) him my regards, won't you?
4 What do you intend.....................................(do) about this problem?
5 Someone must have taken my bag. I clearly remember.................................(leave) it by the

window and now it has gone.

6 When she saw what had happened, she began......................................(laugh) loudly.

7 Sue needed some money. She tried.................................... (ask) Gerry but he couldn't help her.
8 He tried........................................ (reach) the shelf but he wasn't tall enough.
9 'Did you remember....................................... (phone) Ann?' 'Oh no, I completely forgot.'
10 I asked them to be quiet but they continued .. (make) a lot of noise.
11 Have you finished............................(fill in) that form?
12 They threatened.................(deport) her on the next flight.
13 He avoided...............(cross) the bridge by swimming the river.
14 Would you mind..............................(show) me your passport. sir?