Ch 14
Gerunds & Infinitives (adv)
Meaning pairs · need + -ing · perfect forms
At C1 you handle the verbs where -ing vs to infinitive completely changes meaning — and the patterns where both forms exist with shifted connotation.
remember + -ing
I remember meeting her. (recall a past event)
remember + to
I remembered to call. (didn't forget)
come to + base
She came to realise her mistake. (gradual change)
come + -ing
She came running down the hall. (manner of arrival)
go on + -ing
She went on talking. (continued the same activity)
go on + to
She went on to become CEO. (moved to new stage)
mean + -ing
Buying that car means working overtime. (involves)
mean + to
I meant to call. (intended)
regret + -ing
I regret saying that. (sorry about past action)
regret + to
We regret to inform you. (formal, present news)
+ object + to inf
They allow staff to leave early.
+ -ing (no object)
They allow leaving early. (the activity itself)
+ object + to inf
The law forbids people to smoke.
+ -ing (no object)
The law forbids smoking here.
Passive
Staff are allowed to leave. / Smoking is forbidden.
need + -ing (passive)
My car needs cleaning. (= needs to be cleaned)
need + to inf (active)
I need to clean my car. (I do it)
want + -ing (older/British)
Your hair wants cutting. (= needs to be cut)
require + -ing
The report requires editing. (= needs to be edited)
need/want/require + -ing = passive meaning. Subject is the THING that receives the action. Common error: "my car needs to clean".
having + PP (perfect gerund)
Having finished his work, he went home.
to have + PP (perfect infinitive)
She seems to have left.
perfect passive infinitive
She was lucky to have been chosen.
perfect passive gerund
Having been told the news, she fainted.
My car needs to clean.
→
My car needs cleaning.
need + -ing = passive meaning
She came to running down the hall.
→
She came running down the hall.
come + -ing (manner)
I regret to taking that decision.
→
I regret taking that decision.
past regret → regret + -ing
Recap
Meaning pairs
remember/forget/stop/try/go on/mean/regret + -ing vs to
memorise each pair
come to + base
gradual change
came to realise
need + -ing
passive meaning
car needs cleaning
Perfect forms
having + PP / to have + PP
having finished / seems to have left