Infinitives or Gerunds | CBSE Class 9 English Grammar

Read the following sentences.

• I remember telling him to post the letter.
• You must remember to send this parcel in the evening.
• I still remember buying my first car.
• I regret not seizing the opportunity.
• We regret to inform you that the flight has been cancelled.
• You want to watch TV in the evening? That would mean completing your homework now.
• I mean to work out every day.

The verbs remember, forget and mean can be followed by infinitives (to + verb forms) and ing forms. The meanings are different. Learn more about verbs that can be followed by infinitives here.

Ing forms for past actions

The verbs remember and regret are followed by ing forms when we are referring to past actions. Learn more about verbs that can be followed by ing forms here.

After mean we use an ing form to express the idea that one thing leads to another.

We use a to-infinitive after remember and mean to refer to future action.

An infinitive is used after regret to announce bad news.

After certain verbs we use an ing form to make a general statement. The to-infinitive is used to talk about something that happened on a specific occasion.

• They have stopped selling meat now. (This is a general statement)
• On my way to school, I stopped at the library to rent a book. (This refers to something that happened on a specific occasion.)
• I tried calling him many times. (No specific reference to time.)
• I tried to call him in the morning. (Refers to a specific occasion)

Exercise

Complete the following sentences using an infinitive or an ing form.

1. I forgot …………………… my homework. (to do / doing)

2. I regret ……………….. school at 14. (to leave / leaving)

3. We regret ……………………. that we cannot refund the money. (to say / saying)

4. I remember …………………… him at the library. (meeting / to meet)

5. Don’t forget …………………. this letter. (posting / to post)

6. I stopped …………………. when I realized that I wouldn’t win. (to argue / arguing)

7. I tried …………………. the door but I could not. (to open / opening)

8. I meant …………………… but I forgot. (calling / to call)

Answers

1. I forgot to do my homework.

2. I regret leaving school at 14.

3. We regret to say that we cannot refund the money.

4. I remember meeting him at the library.

5. Don’t forget to post this letter.

6. I stopped arguing when I realized that I wouldn’t win.

7. I tried to open the door but I could not.

8. I meant to call but I forgot.