SEMINAR 3

Gerunds and Infinitives + Modals

Gerunds are often used when actions are real,

concrete, or completed.
For example: I stopped smoking.
(The smoking was real and happened until I
stopped.)

Gerunds are often used after prepositions.

For example: We look forward to seeing you.

Gerunds are used after certain verbs

Gerunds (avoid, admit, deny, risk, postpone, suggest,
propose etc.)
For example: You risk losing your job.

Gerunds are used at the beginning of

sentences unless they express a purpose.
For example: Smoking is a hazard to health.
(vs. To be fit, you need to do sports).

Gerunds are used after certain phrases (it is

worth, it is no good, I cannot stand, there is no
point)
For example: The book is not worth reading.

Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal,

abstract, or future.
Infinitives
For example: I stopped to smoke.

(I was doing something else, and I stopped; the

smoking had not happened yet.)

Task 1: Complete the following text putting the verbs into the gerund or the to-infinitive

Dear Ms Walters,

Thank you for your application for the diploma in marketing but I regret __________ (inform) you that
this course is now full. Should you wish to take the course elsewhere, I would advise you __________
(apply) to Central College. They started __________ (run) a course in marketing a year ago and I would
recommend you __________ (consider) __________ (enrol) on that course rather than __________
(wait) another year to do a course here. If you prefer __________ (wait) for this course, then I would
encourage you __________ (try) __________ (find) some work related to marketing so that you can
start __________ (acquire) some relevant experience.
http://eoilevelfour.wikispaces.com/file/view/Infinitives_and_gerunds.pdf.

Task 2 : Complete the sentences by using a preposition and the words in parentheses. You may need
to add an indefinite or definite article.

Jack decided on German instead (read/maths).

Jack decided on German instead of reading maths.

1. I'm interested (enrol/course) taught by Mr Ward.

________________________________________________________________
2. He apologized (submit/essay) after the deadline.
________________________________________________________________
3. I certainly can't blame you (not/want) to join the course.
________________________________________________________________
4. She's thinking (study/England).
________________________________________________________________
5. We are really very excited (open/course) this coming autumn.
________________________________________________________________
6. Katherine isn't really used (study/hard).
________________________________________________________________
7. We thanked them (help/us) with the research.
________________________________________________________________
8. Could you please tell me who is responsible (accept/applications)?
________________________________________________________________
9. I'm sure she has a good reason (not/be/here).
http://www.academia.edu/11448155/GERUND_and_INFINITIVE_V_V_ing_LIST_of_VERBS_FOLLOWED_by_GERUNDS

Task 3: Gerund or infinitive?

1. I remember _____ the President in Ankara.

a. meet b. to meet c. meeting d. to meeting
2. Did you remember _____ the essays?
a. correct b.to correct c.correcting d.to correcting
3. I'm not used _____ project work.
a. do b. to do c.doing d. to doing
4. I used _____ Spanish when I was much younger.
a. study b. to study c.studying d. to studying
5. I regret _____ his lectures.
a. not attend b. not to attend c. not attending d. not to attending
6. Mrs Jones, I regret _____ you that your application has not been admitted.
a. inform b. to inform c. informing d. to informing
7. Stop _____ the presenter!
a. interrupt b. to interrupt c. interrupting d. to interrupting
8. I wanted to stop _____ the course but I changed my mind.
a. to do b. do c. doing d. to doing
9. He is starting ______ progress.
a. make b. to make c. making d. to making
10. I started _____ English when I was four.
a. learn b. to learn c. learning d. to learning
http://misterhoytesclasses.weebly.com/uploads/1/5/9/4/15945694/gerund_infinitive.pdf.

Task 4: Transform the following sentences. An example is given below.

1. He said that he had copied the text.

He admitted copying the text.
2. He said that she get involved in the project.
He insisted on her ________________________________
3. I would like to rewrite the article.
I wouldn't mind __________________________________
4. Let's leave the books here.
What about______________________________________?
5. He committed an offence, so they arrested him.
He was arrested for ________________________________
6. Why don't we translate this?
What about ______________________________________?
7. Paul wonders if he might open a new course for foreign students.
Paul is thinking of ________________________________.
8. He told us he was sorry that he was late.
He apologised for _________________________________
9. He will resign, no matter what I say.
I can't prevent him ________________________________.
10. Sorry to disturb you like this.
Forgive me for ___________________________________.
11. He told them that he was guilty.
He admitted _____________________________________.
12. He explained it over and over again.
He kept on ________________________________.
13. The teacher told them they were not allowed to talk in class.
The teacher told them to stop __________________.
14. The course book cost too much.
It wasn't worth ________________________________(buy).
15. It was kind of you to meet me.
Thank you for ___________________________________.
16. It was kind of you to lend me the book.
Thank you for ___________________________________.
17. It would be quite pleasant to do internship there.
I wouldn't mind ________________________________.
18. We would be grateful if you did not make the presentation too long.
Would you mind not ________________________________.
19. "Why don't we make some changes to the curriculum?," he said.
He suggested _____________________________________.
20. "It wasn't me," he protested.
He denied _______________________________________.
http://www.englishspeaker.com/basic/elem%20verb%20forms/29%20gerund%20ans.htm

Task 5: Choose the correct alternative a), b) or c).

1. We have agreed ----------- interfering with their issues.

a. to quit b. quitting c. both to quit and quitting
2. We were afraid of ------------ too many mistakes.
a. to make b. making c. both to make and making
3. Have you considered-----------------a lawyer?
a. to consult b. consulting c. both to consult and consulting
4. Do you like --------------his books?
a. to read b. reading c. both to read and reading.
5. Even though it was very difficult, we would like ------------- the experiment.
a. to have done b. doing c. both to have done and doing
6. I remember -------------------- much more than I should have.
a. to tell b. telling c. both to tell and telling
7. If your projector remote doesn’t work, maybe you should try ----------------- the
batteries.
a. to change b. changing c. both to change and changing
8. We tried----------------the French department, but the phone lines were down.
a. to call b. calling c. both to call and calling
9. I don’t mind -----------------museums if they’re really interesting.
a. to visit b. visiting c both to visit and visiting
10. We advised Carlos------------------his attorney
a. to call b.calling c. both to call and calling
ttp://www.slideshare.net/loknica1/gerundinfinitive-47217950.

Task 6: Complete with the gerund or infinitive of the verb given.

1. I can't think of (sit) ___________ an exam without (revise)_________for it.

2. The examiner gave the students some time (think) ____________.
3. The professor plans (start) (give) the lecture____________ ____________ at 9pm.
4. The meeting is programmed (start) ________ at 7pm, so we have decided (get together) _________
at 6.30.
5. I am looking forward to (see) ____________ you again.
6. I intend (study) ____________ English (understand) ____________ American business methods.
7. She still plans on _______ (do) law even after her parents refused _______ (support) her while she
studies.
8. I cannot resist ____________ (visit) old libraries when I am abroad.
9. She enjoys ____________ (edit) texts and (do) translations.
10. I stopped (work) __________ in London when I realised it was time for me (move) _________ on.
11. Don't forget (turn) ____________ off the computer before (leave) ____________ the office.
12. I understood (buy) ____________ a small gift for the visiting professor was considered polite.
Task 7: For Questions 1-8, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence.. You must use between two and five words.

1. It's really important that you pay the tuition fee.

You must remember ................................................ today.

2. I think it would be a good idea if you joined the beginners class.

I suggest you.................................................... the beginners class.

3. Meeting the professor at her lecture was really surprising.

I didn´ t expect …………………… at her lecture.

4. In the future she became a successful business woman.

She went on ................................................... business woman.

5. I'll help you with your homework.

I don´t mind ...................................................... with your homework.

6. I hated driving on the left at first but now it's OK.

I used ....................................................... on the left but now it´s OK.

7. Don't bother to apply for the job.

There is no point ......................................................... for the job.

8. Were you successful in passing the exam?

Did you manage .............................................. the exam?
Adapted from http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/teachers/resources/flojoe_free/fce/worksheets/transfrm/print7.htm

Task 8 : Complete the text about the setting up of small art galleries, using the infinitive or –ing form of
the verb in brackets.

Browne (2008) describes __________ 1. (set up) a small gallery in an unfashionable part of
Birmingham in 2003. She acknowledges __________ 2. (spend) much more than the business earned
in the first few years, but explains how it was managing __________ 3. (make) a modest profit by the
end of 2006. Her account and that of Bannister and Ives (2009) appear __________ 4. (suggest) that
two key factors need to be borne in mind if the new gallery owner wishes to avoid __________ 5.
(make) what could be a very costly mistake.
For anyone planning __________ 6.(open) a small gallery, the first factor is financing. Browne warns
the would-be owner __________ 7. (allow) enough capital for at least two years of trading before any
significant income is generated. The second factor is location. Bannister and Ives considered
__________ 8. (establish) their gallery in London´s trendy Brick Lane before realizing that there would
be too much competition. They carried on __________ 9. (look) elsewhere in London until colleagues
in Wales encouraged them __________ 10. (acquire) empty retail premises at much lower cost in
Newport. Now, with a National Lottery regeneration grant, they anticipate __________ 11. (expand)
their gallery into neighbouring premises.
Task 9: Discuss these questions.

1. What can other students do to assist you in improving your English skills? What can you do
to assist others?
2. What do you usually do to occupy your time while you are waiting in lines, waiting for an
appointment, or waiting “on hold“ on the telephone?
3. Have you ever undertaken a self-improvement project? What did you decide to do? Was it
easy or difficult to attain your goals?

Modals
Form:

aspect/voice active passive

simple They must show their passport Passports must be shown at
at the border. the border.
continuous They may be sending the ---
results soon.
perfect He must have gone home – My purse must have been
his office is empty. stolen – I can’t find it.
perfect continuous He must have been painting ---
the fence all day – look at him:
he is covered in paint.
Functions:

Will the President be re-elected? Speaker’s prediction /

The president has been re-
elected. I heard it on TV.
The President must be re-
elected. He has the whole
country’s support.
The president should be re-
elected. A lot of people support
him.
The President may be re-
elected.
The President might be re-
elected if he steers clear of
scandals in the next months.
The President could be re-
elected. But I doubt it.
inference:
The president hasn’t been re- certain, a fact
elected. I heard it on TV.
The president can’t be re- very likely
elected. Nobody will vote for
him.
The President couldn’t be re- probable
elected. He is not at all popular
any more.
The President may not be re- possible
elected.
The President might not be re- slightly possible
elected, although he has been
doing better in the polls recently.
very unlikely, I don’t think so
Task 1: Correct the errors in the following sentences

1. We can to assure you that the report will be ready on Friday.

2. I could finish writing my essay for English last night.
3. I don’t can focus my mind on my work today.
4. This species of tree can to tolerate dry summers.
5. Sue has better cancel her appointment.
6. Smoking should not being allowed near hospitals.
7. Tom should obtained a schedule of classes before he tried to register for next semester.
8. We must to consult an attorney before we sign this contract.
9. Passengers don’t have to take a bomb on an airplane.
10. Sue should repeated the laboratory experiments.
11. She knows she not supposed to use the old data for her report.
12. We’re not suppose to leave the lab unlocked.
13. We had better checked the locks twice.
14. We should to report to the police any suspicious activities near the lab.

Task 2: Complete each of the following sentences with must or had to and a correct form of the verb
in parentheses

1. This private college __________ (cater) to an upscale clientele. Most of their courses are very
expensive.
2. Jim Taylor enrolled one of these courses last week. His parents __________ (be) very rich.
3. When he enrolled the course, Jim __________ (pay) a considerable amount of money for
4. accommodation, too.
5. Now Jim __________ (be) study really hard not to disappoint his family.
6. Jim __________ (think) that getting a degree from this college will guarantee him a good job in
the future.

Task 3: Correct the verb forms. Sometimes more than one answer is possible. Some sentences are
already correct.

1. Fortunately rescue ships could remove the crew safely from the sinking tanker.
2. The government may have bailed out the failing steelworks, but decided not to take this course
of action.
3. The company claims to be able to produce an effective recyclable plastic bag.
4. Investigators could immediately see what had caused the accident.
5. No one can ever be able to prove so far that Goldman´s Conjecture works for every even
number.
6. In May 2011 scientists from IBM Zurich could produce images of electrons using a scanning
microscope.
7. The duties of an absent member of staff can sometimes be share out among colleagues.
8. According to scientists at the University of Geneva, we will soon be able to produce short bursts
of rainfall safely through the use of lasers.
Task 4: Complete each of the following sentences with could, couldn’t or could have and an
appropriate form of the verb in parentheses.

1. Our project needs greater funding. We __________ (ask) for more money.
2. More money __________ (solve) a lot of problems.
3. Last year, we __________ (predict) the need for a bigger budget.
4. The budget committee worked very, very hard. They __________ (work) harder.
5. Last year’s committee members were very skilled. All of them __________ (use) computer-
based accounting programs.

Task 5: Choose the correct option a, b, c or d

1. I went to an English college. It was good, but I ________________ to an American university.

a. should gone b. would rather go c. would rather have gone d. could go

2. Thomas can’t believe it. He failed two exams and had to leave the school. His academic career
is over. Now he walks around saying, “___________________________.”
a. I could have been a scientist b. I could be a scientist c. I might be a scientist
d. I should have been a scientist

3. Min’s friend Toshiko has just graduated from university. He didn’t know, so he didn’t congratulate her.
Toshiko felt quite sad. Now Min says, “___________________________.”
a.I should congratulate her b. I should have congratulated her c. I could congratulate her d. Why I
didn’t congratulate her?

4. Yumi is a great translator and interpreter. In fact, she ________________ three languages by the age
of 19.
a. could to speak b. can speak c. spoken d. could speak

5. Josie couldn’t go to the lecture because she _________________.

a. must study b. must have studied c. had to study d. had to studying

6..Who was that gentleman we saw at the conference yesterday? I don’t know. It
_____________________ Alison´s business partner.
a. couldn’t have been b. might have been c. maybe d. might be

7. When Priscilla was a student, she ____________ maths.

a. used to reading b. used to read c. reading d. used read

8. Yes, the report was good, but he_____________________ more attention to detail next time.
a. should paid b. would rather pay c. would rather have paid d. should pay

Task 6: Explain the difference between the following pairs of sentences.

1a) I needn´t have done it.

1b) I didn´t have to do it.
 2a) He had to do it.
2b) He must have done it.

3a) She couldn´t say it.

3b) She couldn´t have said it.

4a) Anyone can become President.

4b) He could become President.

Task 7: Circle the correct verb form in the introduction to an essay about retrials. If both are correct,
circle both.

For an appeal to be upheld in a court of law, there is a requirement that new evidence 1. could/should
be presented. Scientific advances in areas such as DNA testing, however, mean that there is now a
growing trend for cases that 2. might/must have remained closed to be considered for retrial. Berenger
(2012) cites the case of Maxwell Jordan, who believes he 3. will be able to/could prove his innocence
through a report that his lawyers have commissioned from scientists who study the behaviour of bullets.

Jordan´s team will argue that he 4. could/must not have fired the gun twice within the period of time
described by the prosecuting counsel at his trial. If this new evidence is accepted, it 5. can/should
prove persuasive enough to put Jordan´s conviction in doubt. This essay 6. might/will explore Jordan
´s case in more detail.

Task 8: Circle the correct verb forms in the text about infrastructure projects. If both are correct, circle
both.

The location of a new rail system or airport 1. needs to/should take into account the conflicting
interests of a number of different groups of people. Politicians in power 2 . must/may not benefit
immediately from an infrastructure project, but they 3. could/might gain credit in the medium term for a
boost in employment when construction work begins. It 4. would/shall seem, on the surface, that the
business community in general 5. will/needs to benefit when a major transport project is initiated, but,
as in sport, where there are winners there 6. might/must always be losers.

Amongst the public, commentators 7. would/should agree that there are two groups: the general
population who 8. must/will often be supportive of modernizing programmes, and those directly
affected, the ones, whose houses 9. need/ought to be demolished or whose quality of life 10.
will/could be reduced by the endless departure and arrival of long-haul jets. Bryson (2009) suggests
that thirty or forty years ago, the complaints of this latter group 11. can/would regularly be ignored,
whereas these days, a protest movement 12. can/needs to be established and attract public attention
within days of a project being announced.

Task 9

1. Imagine that you have been invited to speak to a group of new immigrant parents who want
your advice about raising children in a country with a culture that is new to them. What should
 parents know about the challenges their children will face? What can parents do to make
adjusting to a new culture easier for their children?

2. Imagine that you have been invited to speak to a group of students who are preparing to enter
school in another country. What can they do to prepare for this experience? What should they
expect to face as they adjust to their new situation?

3. Choose a country. Imagine that you have been invited to speak to a group of new residents in
that country (business representatives, students, or embassy staff, perhaps). What should they
do to experience the best of that country? What must they do to fit in well in that country?

4. Discuss ways in which you think individuals can help themselves cope with psychological
stress. What should a person do if stress in his or her life becomes too intense?

Task 10: Translate into English

1. Riskujete, že přijdete o dobré zaměstnání.

2. Měli jsme ten článek publikovat v odborném časopise.
3. Ráda bych si s Vámi o něčem promluvila.
4. Chtěl by umět vést tým odborníků.
5. V laboratořích se nesmělo jíst a pít.
6. Musel byste si podat elektronickou přihlášku
7. Nemá smyslu o tom dále diskutovat.
8. Nevzpomínám si, že bych o tom někde četla.
9. Připouštíme, že máme nějaké problémy s financováním výzkumu.
10. Těšíme se na setkání s Vámi.

Sources:

PATERSON, Ken a Roberta WEDGE. Oxford grammar for EAP: English grammar and practice for
academic purposes with answers. Oxford: Oxford University Press, c2013. ISBN 978-0-19-432999-6.

ACKLES, Nancy M a Steve ELSWORTH. The grammar guide: developing language skills for academic
success. New ed., 6th impr. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, c2003, xiii, 246 p. ISBN 04-720-
8882-3.

UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA ENGLISH LANGUAGE CENTRE. Study Zone [online]. 1998, 2012 [cit.
2013-09-18]. Available from: http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/grammar.htm

QUICKEN DOCSTOC [online], 2013 [cit.2014-03-07]. Available from: http://www.docstoc.com

ENGLISH FOR JAPANESE [online] June 1999 Available from http://englishforjapanese.com

http://eoilevelfour.wikispaces.com/file/view/Infinitives_and_gerunds.pdf.
http://www.academia.edu/11448155/GERUND_and_INFINITIVE_V_V_ing_LIST_of_VERBS_FOLLOW
ED_by_GERUNDS

http://misterhoytesclasses.weebly.com/uploads/1/5/9/4/15945694/gerund_infinitive.pdf.

http://www.englishspeaker.com/basic/elem%20verb%20forms/29%20gerund%20ans.htm

ttp://www.slideshare.net/loknica1/gerundinfinitive-47217950.

Adapted from http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/teachers/resources/flojoe_free/fce/worksheets/transfrm/print7.htm