Line英会話クラス

Lesson Plan November 1, 2024

Topic: Verb + -ING or TO

Some verbs can be followed by an infinitive or an -ing form, with a difference in meaning.

Section A: Difference in Meaning

Remember + infinitive; you remember to do something before you do it

• Please remember to lock the door before you leave the house.

Remember + -ing; you remember doing something after you do it

• I don’t remember locking the door. I’ll have to go back and check.

Forget + infinitive; if you forget to do something, you forget it before you do it

• I’m sorry, I forgot to answer your email.

forget + -ing; if you won’t or will never forget doing something, you remember something that happened in the past.

• I’ll never forget driving for the first time.

Stop + infinitive; you stop to do something before you do it

• I saw Tom earlier. I stopped to talk to him.

Stop + -ing; you stop doing something after you do it

• I stopped smoking years ago.

Regret + infinitive; (formal) if you regret to say something / inform somebody / tell somebody, you are sorry to have to say something

• We regret to inform ou thêta you have failed the exam.

Regret +-ing; if you regret doing something, you are sorry (now) that you did something (in the past)

• I regret not studying for me exams. I could have a much better job now.

Try + infinitive; if you try to do something, you attempt / make an effort to do it

• I tried to help him, but he refused.

Trying + -ing; if you try doing something, you do something as an experiment or test

• Try texting him. He might answer.

Need + infinitive; if you need to do something, it is necessary or important for you to do it

• She needs to relax.

Need + -ing; if something needs doing, it needs to be done

• The kitchen needs cleanings.

Section B: Little or No Difference

These verbs can be followed by an infinitive or an -ing form, with little or no difference in meaning.

start / begin / continue / bother

• It has started to rain.

• It has started raining.

• They began to play at 4pm.

• They began playing at 4pm.

• He continued to work after lunch.

• He continued working after lunch.

• Don’t bother to call him. He never answers his phone.

• Don’t bother calling him. He never answers his phone.

NOTE: if we use -ing form of those four verbs, we usually use an infinitive after

• It’s starting to rain. (NOT It’s starting raining)

• He’s beginning to relax. (NOT He’s beginning relaxing)

Lesson Notes

Words & Phrases

• I need to take out my winter clothes.

• I should switch out my summer clothes.

• Crepe myrtle also turn a reddish colour, similar to maples.

• Crepe myrtle leaves are kind of oval.

Verb + -ING or TO

A: I'm meeting the prime minister tomorrow.
B: Don't forget to shake his hand.
A: I won't! I'll remember to shake his hand.

• “I’ll never forget shaking the prime minister’s hand.” (= expresses a memorable or significant experience in the past

• Saying "I don't forget to shake the prime minister's hand" doesn’t fit here because "don’t forget" implies that you regularly remember to do something, which is more common for routines or habits.

• The sentence "I will never forget to shake the prime minister's hand" suggests that shaking the prime minister's hand is something you plan to do regularly or in multiple future situations

• The sentence "I won't forget to shake the prime minister's hand" expresses a strong intention or promise that you will remember to do it when you meet the prime minister.

• "I won't forget shaking the prime minister's hand" suggests that you are referring to the memory of having already shaken the prime minister's hand in the past. It means that you will always remember that experience.