The infinitive and the gerund

Study two lists of common verbs. The ones in the first list always take the infinitive and those in the second always take the gerund.

Infinitive: manage, pretend, offer, promise, hope, plan.

Gerund: succeed in, consider, deny, look forward to, avoid, risk

Ex2

Now use one of these verbs in the correct form to complete each of the following sentences.

1. She finally……to escape by stealing a key. 2. He…….to carry the old man’s suitcase. 3. I’ve never been to France before. I’m…. going there next year. 4. They ….reaching the frontier the following day. 5. She realized that she……breaking a leg if she jumped from the window, but she knew there was no other choice. 6. Her mother made her…….to write home every week. 7. It was nice to see you. I………to see you again soon. 8. When he gets out of prison, he…….to travel. 10. He ……..stealing the car, although a witness saw him. 11. Give up smoking if you want to…….getting a cough. 12. He…….to be asleep, but in fact he heard everything they said.

Ex.3

Use the correct form of the verbs in brackets (the infinitive or the gerund)

1. I’d prefer (go)…..to the theatre tonight, rather than the cinema.

Jane hasn’t gone on holiday yet. I remember (see)…….her yesterday evening.

1. We all helped (do)…..the shopping.
2. I’d advise you (get)……your hair cut before (go)…….for such a very important interview.
3. I’m tired of (sit)……..here (do)…….nothing.
4. I had no money, so I had no choice but (sell)…..my car.
5. I won’t allow you (talk)……to me like that!
6. I heard her (speak)…….. to someone on the phone.

Ex.4 Put the correct word into the gap in each sentence.

1. borrow/lend Can you ……..me 5 pounds until tomorrow? I didn’t bring my umbrella, so I’ve had to……John’s.

2. discovered/invented Primitive men…..fire thousands of years ago. Alexander Bell…..the telephone.

3. worthless/priceless She thought that the painting was valuable, but experts told her that it was a……forgery. It is generally agreed that the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci is……..

4. raise/rise The sun will……at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning. He will…..his hand when he needs attention.

5. infamous/unknown Although William Barnes wrote many poems, he’s almost …..to the present generation. All British children have heard of Dick Turpin. He was an……robber, who stole from travelers and was executed for his crimes.

Gerund as an attribute

Walking – stick, boiling- point, swimming – race, blotting-paper, eating apples, cooking apples, laughing- stock, dancing-room, dancing master

Test 1

Choose a correct variant

1. He mustn’t have taken advantage of your mistake.

А) Он не мог воспользоваться вашей ошибкой.

Б) Не может быть, чтобы он воспользовался вашей ошибкой.

В) Он не мог бы воспользоваться вашей ошибкой.

1. She seemed to be very self-assured.

А) Нам показалось, что она очень самоуверенная.

Б) Им показалось, что она очень самоуверенная.

В) Она казалась очень самоуверенной.

1. He seemed to be embarrassed.

А) Казалось, он был смущен.

Б) Он оказался смущенным.

В) eму показалось, что он смущен.

1. She is said her sister to have got married.

А) Ей сказали, что сестра вышла замуж.

Б) Она говорит , что вышла замуж.

В) Говорят, что она вышла замуж.

1. He mustn’t have failed an exam!

А) Не может он провалить экзамен.

Б) Он не должен провалить экзамен.

В) Не может быть, чтобы он провалил экзамен.

TEST 2

Choose the suitable word. Only one variant is correct.

1. You must be very …. of your son’s success.

a) proud b)tired c)cold

2. He brought us…..news.

a) odd b) dark c) exciting

3. There was an…. glove lying on the table.

a) dark b) my c) odd

4. He will be…..to help us.

a) glad b) sad c) late

5. He was too…. to ask for a help.

a) cold b) proud c) late

Ex.5

Find if there is gerund, participle 1 or verbal noun in the following sentences:

1. The firemen rushed to the burning house.
2. There are some newspapers lying on the table.
3. The building is not yet completed.
4. I’m responsible for not having done the work in a proper way and time.
5. We admired the wild animals, playing on the grass.
6. There is a publishing house in the center of our city.
7. Excuse my being late.
8. Living in a big city has a lot of advantages.
9. Having written a letter he sent it by e-mail.
10. We fixed the date of our meeting.
11. There are children playing in the garden.
12. Her hobby is playing the piano.
13. Do you know any English sayings and proverbs?
14. Is there a swimming-pool near your house?
15. I saw you dancing in a dancing-hall.

Test 2

Choose the correct form of the verb

1. My brother…..like me.

a) looked b) looks c) is looking

2. Who speaks French in your family? I…….

a) have b) do c) am

3. She usually…..to bed very early.

a) goes b) has gone c) going

4. Don’t go out. It…..hard.

a) was raining b) rains c) is raining

5. Does he usually…..the week-end in the country?

a) spends b) spend c) spent

Test 3

Put in the necessary preposition

1. We lost our way ……the forest. a) in b) at c) on
2. He whispered words of love …….me. a) to b) with c) at
3. I like the way she smiles …..people. a) to b) at c) with
4. Do you like to talk……your friend over the telephone now? A) with b) at c) to
5. Does your teacher often frown…..you? a) with b) to c) at
6. Don’t do anything …..I come! A) before b) until c) till
7. This is only one problem…..thousands of others in our city. A) between b) among c) of
8. They haven’t been to Moscow …. the war. A) above b) from c) since
9. The guests are sitting…..the table now. A) into b) in c) at
10. It all depends….you. a) on b) of c) from

Test 5

Choose the correct word :

1. You….beautiful today. A) look b) see c) watch

2. Please, give me….more cake. A) some b) any c) little

3. Did you hear…..news? a) the latest b) the last c) the late

4. ….does it take you to get to the University? A) how long b) how much c) how many

5. What …… places can I see today? A)another b) other c) others

6. You enjoyed the film,…..? a) didn’t you b) don’t you c) aren’t you

7. Where’s ……bus stop? A) closest b ) the nearest c) the most near

8. ….are well-known writers. A) Both them b) Both of them c) Both they

9. He speaks English….better than French. A) more b) much c) most

10. His son is…..a) so old as yours b) as old as your one c) as old as yours

Test 7

Choose the correct word:

1. He keeps….hard. a) smoke b) to smoke c) smoking
2. She doesn’t enjoy…..a) to travel b) traveling c) travel
3. Would you mind….me? a) to follow b) following c) follow
4. It’s no use….. noise about it. A) to raise b) raise c) raising
5. I’m interested in …..economics. a) studying b) study c) to study

Test 8

Choose the correct answer:

1. Would you like to have a walk in the park?

a) I’m from Russia b) We stayed at our friends c) With great pleasure

1. Do you often frown at people?

a) As a matter of fact, I’m very serious b) surely, I’ll do it c) yes, why?

1. Why is she whispering?

а) she can. B) It’s a good idea c) the matter is she has a sore throat

1. Could you please tell me the way to the theatre?

a) You see, I was absent b) Cross the road and turn left c ) yes, it is.

1. Is there a well-kept park near your house?

a) oh, I never b) Because he… c) Yes, there is.

Ex.6

Fill the blanks with “make” or “do”. Write only in your note-book, no marks in the teaching materials!

1. Will you - me a cup of coffee? 2. I will - my best.

3. I never – the washing up. 4. Don’t - a mess.

5. I’d like to - you an offer. 6. Do you - aerobics?

7. Don’t - any plans. 8. Will you - me a favor?

9. Can you - the waltz? 10. Did I - a mistake?

11. I haven’t had time to - the accounts. 12. I will - a date to see them.

13. I will never - business with them again. 14. Are you have to -- trouble?

15. Can you - the ironing for me? 16. You should - a casserole.

17. They can - a cabinet for you in a week. 18. I’d love to - some more exercises.

19. These windows need cleaning. Can you -- them?

Ex.7