When -ing and to mean different things

Examples

1. I remember posting it, so it must be at their end.

2. Remember to keep the receipt this time.

3. We regret to inform you that the post has been filled.

4. He went on talking for another twenty minutes.

Common mistakes

• ✗Wrong: I stopped to smoke ten years ago and I feel much better.

  ✓Right: I stopped smoking ten years ago and I feel much better.

  stop -ing gives it up; stop to pauses in order to do it.

• ✗Wrong: I will never forget to see the sea for the first time.

  ✓Right: I will never forget seeing the sea for the first time.

  A memory takes -ing; a duty takes to.

• ✗Wrong: We regret telling you that the post is filled.

  ✓Right: We regret to inform you that the post is filled.

  regret to inform introduces bad news; regret -ing is a wish you had not.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

   1. ATry turn it off and on again.
   2. BTry turning it off and on again.
   3. CTry for turning it off and on again.
   4. DTry to turn it off and on again as an experiment.
   Show answer

   Answer: B Try turning it off and on again.

   try -ing suggests an experiment worth a go.

2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AShe tried lift it but it was too heavy.
   2. BShe tried to lift it but it was too heavy.
   3. CShe tried lifting it but it was too heavy to attempt.
   4. DShe tried for lifting it but it was too heavy.
   Show answer

   Answer: B She tried to lift it but it was too heavy.

   try to marks a difficult attempt.

3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AI remember to lock the door yesterday.
   2. BI remembered lock the door.
   3. CI remember for locking the door.
   4. DI remember locking the door.
   Show answer

   Answer: D I remember locking the door.

   A memory of a past action takes -ing.

4. 4Fill in the gap.

   Do not forget _____ the meter reading before you leave.

   1. Ato take
   2. Bfor taking
   3. Ctaking
   4. Dtake
   Show answer

   Answer: A Do not forget to take the meter reading before you leave.

   A task ahead takes to.

5. 5Fill in the gap.

   He stopped _____ the letter three times on the way home.

   1. Areading
   2. Bread
   3. Cto read
   4. Dfor reading
   Show answer

   Answer: C He stopped to read the letter three times on the way home.

   He paused in order to read it.

6. 6Fill in the gap.

   The chair went on _____ the second item without a break.

   1. Ato introduce
   2. Bfor introducing
   3. Cintroduce
   4. Dintroducing
   Show answer

   Answer: A The chair went on to introduce the second item without a break.

   go on to means the next thing.

7. 7Fill in the gap.

   This clause needs _____ before anybody signs.

   1. Arewriting
   2. Bbe rewriting
   3. Cto rewrite
   4. Drewrite
   Show answer

   Answer: A This clause needs rewriting before anybody signs.

   need -ing has a passive meaning.

8. 8Fill in the gap.

   I did not mean _____ you; I meant to reassure you.

   1. Aworry
   2. Bfor worrying
   3. Cworrying
   4. Dto worry
   Show answer

   Answer: D I did not mean to worry you; I meant to reassure you.

   mean to is intention.

9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

   Which sentence is wrong?

   1. AI regret to inform you of the decision.
   2. BI wish I had not taken that job.
   3. CI regret to take that job.
   4. DI regret taking that job.
   Show answer

   Answer: C I regret to take that job.

   Regret about the past takes -ing.

10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. AI remember posting it yesterday.
    2. BRemember posting this on your way to work tomorrow.
    3. CRemember to post this on your way to work tomorrow.
    4. DDo not forget to post this tomorrow.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Remember posting this on your way to work tomorrow.

    A future task takes to.