Lesson 70 · Stage 6: Verb patterns
-ing or to: remember, forget, stop, try, need
IntermediateForm & use
remember doing vs remember to do — verbs that change meaning with -ing or to
1.Two groups of verbs
Some verbs can be followed by both -ing and to + verb. There are two cases:
- The meaning changes: remember, forget, regret, stop, try, go on, need — the wrong form gives the wrong meaning.
- Little or no change: like, love, hate, prefer, can't bear, start, begin, continue — either form is fine.
| Verb | + -ing | + to V |
|---|---|---|
| remember | recall something you did | not forget a task you have to do |
| forget | lose the memory of something you did (usually: I'll never forget …) | fail to do something you should do |
| regret | be sorry you did something | be sorry to give bad news (formal: regret to say / inform / announce) |
| stop | quit doing it | pause something else in order to do this |
| try | do something as an experiment | make an effort to do something hard |
| go on | continue the same activity | move on to a new activity |
| need | needs to be done (passive meaning) | it is necessary for the subject to do it |
A memory aid for remember / forget / regret: -ing looks back — the action happened before you remember, forget or regret it. to looks forward — the action hasn't happened yet; it comes after.
2.Remember, forget, regret
remember: something done (-ing) or something to do (to)
I remember locking the door, so don't worry.
Remember to lock the door when you go out.
forget: forget + -ing is mostly used in I'll never forget… or when you can't recall something you did. Forgetting to do a task is almost always forget to.
I'll never forget seeing the rice terraces in Sa Pa.
Sorry, I forgot to reply to your message.
regret: sorry about the past (-ing) or sorry to give news (to, formal)
I regret not learning to swim when I was young.
We regret to announce that the 9:15 train to Hue has been cancelled.
3.Stop and go on
stop + -ing = quit doing it. stop + to + verb = pause (what you are doing) in order to do something else — to shows purpose here.
My dad stopped smoking five years ago.
On the way to Da Lat, we stopped to buy some strawberries.
go on + -ing = continue the same activity. go on + to + verb = finish one thing and move on to something new.
She went on talking even after the bell rang.
After the introduction, the teacher went on to explain the homework.
4.Try, need, help
try + to + verb = make an effort to do something difficult (you may fail). try + -ing = test a method to see if it works.
I tried to open the jar, but the lid wouldn't move.
If you can't sleep, try drinking some warm milk.
need + to + verb = the subject has to do it. need + -ing = it needs to be done, like need to be + past participle. Need + -ing is common in British English; need to be + past participle works everywhere.
I need to charge my phone.
This shirt needs ironing.
= needs to be ironed
Some languages say “this shirt needs to iron”. In English that would mean the shirt irons something! Use needs ironing or needs to be ironed.
help can take to + verb or the base form with the same meaning. But can't help + -ing = can't stop yourself.
Can you help me (to) carry these boxes?
I couldn't help smiling when I read her card.
5.Like, love, hate, start…: little or no change
With like, love, hate, prefer, can't bear, start, begin, continue, -ing and to + verb mean almost the same.
It started raining just as we left. = It started to rain just as we left.
I love cooking for my family. = I love to cook for my family.
- British English often uses like + -ing for enjoyment and like + to + verb for a habit you think is sensible: I like to get to the airport early. American English uses like + to + verb more widely, for enjoyment too.
- would like / would love / would hate / would prefer almost always take to + verb: Would you like to join us? See the lesson “Would like” for polite wishes.
- prefer: prefer -ing to -ing, or prefer to + verb rather than + verb: I prefer walking to driving. / I prefer to walk rather than drive.
- Native speakers usually avoid two -ing forms in a row with start / begin / continue: It's starting to rain (more natural than “starting raining”).
6.Common mistakes
Don't forget locking the door.Don't forget to lock the door.
A task still to do → forget to.
I remember to meet her at a party years ago.I remember meeting her at a party years ago.
Recalling a past event → remember -ing.
We stopped buying some fruit on the way home.We stopped to buy some fruit on the way home.
Pausing in order to buy → stop to.
The car needs to wash.The car needs washing. / The car needs to be washed.
The car can't wash anything → passive meaning.
It's starting raining.It's starting to rain.
Avoid two -ing forms in a row.
I'd like going to the beach this weekend.I'd like to go to the beach this weekend.
would like + to + verb.
Examples
- Don't forget to turn off the lights when you leave.
- I'm sorry, I forgot to buy the milk.
- Please stop talking. The film has started.
- I remember hearing this song at my sister's wedding.
