Why do some verbs change meaning with gerunds and infinitives?
In English, many verbs can be followed by either a gerund (the -ing form of a verb) or an infinitive (to + the base form of a verb).
For some verbs, the choice between a gerund and an infinitive does not change the meaning. However, for a specific group of verbs, the meaning changes significantly. This difference is important for clear communication.
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What is the difference with stop?
El verbo stop can be followed by a gerund or an infinitive, with a clear difference in meaning.
- When you use stop + gerund, it means you finish an activity or quit a habit.
- When you use stop + to-infinitive, it means you pause one activity in order to do something else.
How does remember change meaning?
El verbo remember also has different meanings depending on whether it is followed by a gerund or an infinitive.
- Remember + to-infinitive means you think about something you need to do, and then you do it. It refers to a future action or a duty.
- Remember + gerund means you recall a past event or experience. You have a memory of something that happened.
What about forget?
El verbo forget works similarly to remember, but with the opposite meaning.
- Forget + to-infinitive means you fail to do something you were supposed to do. It refers to a forgotten future action or duty.
- Forget + gerund means you cannot recall a past event or experience. This usage is less common but possible, often in negative sentences.
When to use try with a gerund or infinitive?
El verbo try also changes its meaning with gerunds and infinitives.
- Try + to-infinitive means you make an effort to do something, often something difficult. You attempt to achieve a goal.
- Try + gerund means you experiment with an action to see if it helps or works. You test a method to solve a problem.
What does regret mean with a gerund or infinitive?
El verbo regret expresses different feelings depending on the form that follows it.
- Regret + gerund means you feel sorry or sad about something you did in the past.
- Regret + to-infinitive is used in formal announcements to express sadness about something you are about to say or do. This usage is less common in everyday conversation.
Understanding mean with gerunds and infinitives.
El verbo mean can also be followed by both forms, with distinct meanings.
- Mean + to-infinitive means you intend to do something. It refers to your purpose or plan.
- Mean + gerund means something involves or results in something else. It refers to a consequence or implication.
How to use go on with different meanings?
The phrasal verb go on also shows a change in meaning.
- Go on + gerund means to continue doing the same activity.
- Go on + to-infinitive means to finish one activity and then start a new, different one.
| Verbo | Meaning with Gerund (-ing) | Meaning with Infinitive (to + verb) |
|---|---|---|
| Stop | Finish an activity / Quit a habit | Pause one activity to do another |
| Remember | Recall a past event / memory | Think about something to do (future task) |
| Forget | Cannot recall a past event | Fail to do something (future task) |
| Try | Experiment with a method | Make an effort / Attempt to do something difficult |
| Regret | Feel sorry about a past action | Express sadness about a formal announcement |
| Mean | Involve / Result in | Intend to do something |
| Go on | Continue the same activity | Move to a new, different activity |
Ejemplos
- He stopped working at 5 PM.
- He stopped to buy some milk on his way home.
- Did you remember to send the email?
- I remember visiting that museum when I was a child.
- Don’t forget to turn off the lights.
- I’ll never forget seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time.
- She tried to open the jar, but it was too tight.
- If you can’t sleep, try drinking some warm milk.
- I regret telling her my secret.
- We regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful.
- I didn’t mean to offend you.
- Learning a new language means practicing every day.
- She went on talking for another hour.
- After finishing her degree, she went on to become a doctor.
Práctica
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Errores habituales de los hispanohablantes
Spanish speakers often make mistakes with these verbs because the distinction between ‘doing something’ and ‘doing something in order to do something else’ is not always as clearly marked in Spanish verb structures.
- Confuso stop + -ing y stop + to-infinitive: A common error is using the infinitive when you mean to finish an activity. For example, saying I stopped to smoke when you mean I stopped smoking (you quit the habit). Remember, stop + -ing means ‘finish an action’, while stop + to-infinitive means ‘pause to do something else’.
- Mixing up remember + -ing y remember + to-infinitive: Spanish uses ‘recordar + infinitivo’ for both recalling a past event and remembering a future task. In English, you must distinguish: I remembered to call him (I made the call) vs. I remember calling him (I have a memory of the call).
Preguntas más frecuentes
Which verbs change meaning with gerunds and infinitives?
The main verbs that change meaning are stop, remember, forget, try, regret, mean, y go on. Each has a specific difference in meaning depending on whether it is followed by a gerund or an infinitive.
How can I remember the difference between stop + -ing y stop + to-infinitive?
Think of stop + -ing as ‘ending an action’ (like I stopped eating). Think of stop + to-infinitive as ‘pausing to do something’ (like I stopped to eat, meaning you paused another activity to eat).
Is this grammar point important for the B2 First exam?
Yes, absolutely. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for the B2 First exam, especially in the Use of English paper (Part 2: Open Cloze, Part 3: Word Formation, and Part 4: Key Word Transformations). Incorrect use can lead to loss of marks, as it demonstrates a lack of precision in grammar.
Are there any verbs that don’t change meaning with gerunds and infinitives?
Yes, verbs like start, begin, y continue can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive with little to no change in meaning. For example, It started raining y It started to rain mean the same thing.
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