2.2 CHANGING YOUR MIND: VERB PATTERNS

It was great being able to say those things you're usually scared (to say/say/saying) and ask questions you're usually afraid to ask.

It was great being able to say those things you're usually scared to say and ask questions you're usually afraid to ask.

We were given the freedom (to ask/ask/asking) questions without having to worry about (to be/be/being) judged. I admit (to feel/feel/feeling) a little nervous about a few of the questions.

We were given the freedom to ask questions without having to worry about being judged. I admit feeling a little nervous about a few of the questions.

I wanted (to offer/offer/offering) some insights into my job. I took part in the living library event (to challenge/challenge/challenging) stereotypes and misconceptions I'd encountered.

I wanted to offer some insights into my job. I took part in the living library event to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions I'd encountered.

I enjoyed (to talk/talk/talking) to different people. I learnt more about where my arguments for (to be/be/being) a vegan fall down. I had to apologise for not always being able to answer the question properly.

I enjoyed talking to different people. I learnt more about where my arguments for being a vegan fall down. I had to apologise for not always being able to answer the question properly.

They advised me (to be/be/being) as honest as possible.

They advised me to be as honest as possible.

(To sleep/Sleep/Sleeping) outside in the middle of winter isn't the problem. Coping with how people treat you is much harder (to deal/deal/dealing) with.

Sleeping outside in the middle of winter isn't the problem. Coping with how people treat you is much harder to deal with.

Verb + to + infinitive

I decided to explain. I wanted to offer some insights into my job.

Verb + object + to + infinitive

They encouraged me to apply. They advised me to to be as honest as possible.

Noun + to + infinitive (as part of a semi-fixed phrase)

It's time to ... We were given the freedom to ask questions.

Adjective + to + infinitive

I was happy to talk to them. scared to say / afraid to ask / harder to deal with

to + infinitive used to express purpose

She left early to catch the train. to challenge stereotypes

verb + -ing

I recall feeling apprehensive. I admit filling a little nervous.

preposition + -ing

, arguments for being a vegan, apologise for not being

-ing used as a noun (gerund)

Smoking is bad for you. Sleeping outside; Coping with how...

like / love /hate etc. + -ing

I hate arguing about politics. I enjoyed talking...

RULES a) Passive infinitive or -ing form

Use the passive infinitive or -ing form to talk about actions which are done to the subject.

RULES b) Perfect infinitive or -ing form

Use the perfect infinitive or -ing form to emphasise when one action happens before another.

RULES c) Negative infinitive or -ing form

Negatives infinitives or -ing forms can often be made the subject of a sentence, like gerunds.

We all know how important (make/making/to make) a good first impression is.

We all know how important making a good first impression is.

So, it's vital not (underestimate/underestimating/to underestimate) the importance of choosing your clothes carefully when you go to that key meeting or job interview.

So, it's vital not to underestimate the importance of choosing your clothes carefully when you go to that key meeting or job interview.

This is your opportunity (impress/impressing/to impress).

This is your opportunity to impress.

On (walk/walking/to walk) into the room,

On walking into the room,

most people are likely (to have form/to have forming/to have formed) an opinion of your character based on your appearance in less than three seconds.

most people are likely to have formed an opinion of your character based on your appearance in less than three seconds.

It's difficult (say/saying/to say)

It's difficult to say

why people insist on (judge/judging/to judge) by appearances,

why people insist on judging by appearances,

even when we know that it's so unreliable (do/doing/to do) this.

even when we know that it's so unreliable to do this.

Even in courtrooms, juries and judges appear (give/giving/to give) lighter sentences to people who are well dressed.

Even in courtrooms, juries and judges appear to give lighter sentences to people who are well dressed.

I can't bear seeing people smoke in cars.

correct

* I don't know why you waste all your time sit in front of the computer.

I don't know why you waste all your time sitting in front of the computer.

* Cooder was encouraged play the guitar by his father.

Cooder was encouraged to play the guitar by his father.

* They hoped meet up with some of the stars after the show.

They hoped to meet up with some of the stars after the show.

* I gave up the idea of go into politics when I was in my thirties.

I gave up the idea of going into politics when I was in my thirties.

* We were tempted ask if we could stay the night, but we thought it might seem rude.

We were tempted to ask if we could stay the night, but we thought it might seem rude.

I would prefer to have seen it for myself.

correct

I didn't expect (feel) so embarrassed, but the questions they asked were so personal.

I didn't expect to feel so embarrassed, but the questions they asked were so personal.

(meet) Linda and (have) the chance to talk about her experience was enlightening.

Meeting Linda and having the chance to talk about her experience was enlightening.

They had the opportunity (ask) me anything that they wanted.

They had the opportunity to ask me anything that they wanted.

It's hard (imagine) what it's like to live with a disability.

It's hard to imagine what it's like to live with a disability.

I wouldn't even contemplate (leave) the country.

I wouldn't even contemplate leaving the country.

She had refused (marry) the man her parents had chosen for her.

She had refused to marry the man her parents had chosen for her.

Somehow he seemed (lose) all the money already.

Somehow he seemed to have lost all the money already.

He is fed up with (be) called rude names.

He is fed up with being called rude names.