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GE8 Using Ing Words and Infinitives

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12 views2 pages

GE8 Using Ing Words and Infinitives

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© © All Rights Reserved
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STUDYSmarter

SurvivalGuide
USING –ING WORDS AND INFINITIVES
Infinitives and –ing words are common in the I avoided plagiarising by referencing
English language. Sometimes we use words correctly.
ending with -ing as nouns, e.g., Parking is
difficult at UWA. At other times We suggest continuing the experiment
they are part of a verb, e.g., I am sitting at using different plants.
my desk. This Survival Guide focuses on
the use of –ing words as nouns. I practised using the new equipment for
over an hour.
TIP

You may ask: “What is an infinitive”? In Verbs + infinitive


English it takes the form to + a verb, e.g., Some verbs can be followed by an infinitive
to be, to study, to do. but not by an –ing form. Below are
some that are often found in academic
writing, but there are many others.
Sometimes it’s difficult to work out whether
to use an –ing ending or an infinitive after a
verb. This Guide provides information and agree aim
examples to help you decide. attempt decide

Verbs + -ing manage offer


Some verbs can be followed by an propose prove
–ing word but not by an infinitive. Below are
seem tend
some that are often found in academic
writing, but there are many others.

admit avoid Some examples

consider involve We agreed to repeat the experiment at a


justify mention different time of day.

practise prevent I aim to show that human habitation has led


recommend suggest to the loss of that particular species.

The philanthropist offered to pay her


Some examples university fees for three years.

We justified stopping the experiment on Our initial experiments seem to indicate our
ethical grounds. hypothesis was wrong.

My supervisor recommended reading more I tend to like writing better than reading.
journal articles.

Grammar and Masters


Honours and Editing 83
Did you know? Did you know?

Some verbs can be followed by an infinitive Other verbs can be followed by an infinitive
or –ing and there is NO difference is or –ing but they have different
meaning, e.g., attempt, begin, cease, meanings, as shown in the table below.
continue, hate, intend, love, prefer, start:

I’m going to continue to do/doing this essay TIP


even though it’s difficult.
In formal writing, it is best not to split your
We intend to go/going to a conference infinitives. This means ensuring the verb
overseas this year. always follows directly after the ‘to’, as
shown above in bold. A split infinitive
I prefer to do/doing my experiments in looks like this: In formal writing, it is best
the morning. to not split your infinitives.

verb +-ing infinitive

forget/ = forget/remember an earlier =forget/remember to do a future


remember action: I remember locking the lab action: Don’t forget to lock the lab door.
door.
go on = continue: I went on answering = to change to another action: After
questions even though I was giving my presentation, I went on to
hungry. answer questions.
mean = will result in: This new job means = intend to do something: I mean to
moving to Sydney. finish my thesis by July this year.
regret = feel sorry about the past: I regret = announce bad news: I regret to
not studying harder in first year. inform you that you have failed.
stop = finish an action: The company = finish an action to do another: We
stopped making cars last year. stopped to watch the protesters.
try = do something to see what will = make an effort to do something
happen: Try using a different type of difficult: We tried to alter the meeting
cereal for your experiment. time but we couldn’t.

Like this Survival Guide? Why not check out more of our guides...
Linking Words and Phrases, Reporting What Others Say, Clear Writing and Editing, Academic Writing
Style: Objectivity, Academic Writing Style: Clarity, Academic Writing Style: Formality, Using Propositions.

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