Ali's Story
Booking The School
Ali decided that he wanted (study) ………………….abroad.
(achieve) ………………….his goal, he had many things that he
had (do) ………………….. Firstly he needed (improve) ………………….his
English so he could take the IELTS test. Unfortunately Ali disliked
(learn) ………………….English so this would not be much fun. His friend recommended
(attend) ………………….a school close to his house. Ali went to
look and from what he could see it seemed (be) ………………. a
good school. He didn't delay (register) …………………. for a
course. He managed (get) ………………….a good price for the
course because they had a special offer on. This was good
because he could not afford (pay) ………………….too much.
Studying
He had never read much in his life and knew he was weak in this
area, so he practiced (read) ………………….as much as he could. He hated
(write) ………………….in English too as his grammar was quite weak so he also planned
(practice) …………… writing as many essays as possible. His teachers agreed
(check) ……………… these for him. As it turned out, Ali actually really enjoyed
(study) …………………. English. The other students on the course didn't
hesitate (help) ………………….Ali and the teachers always offered (assist) ………………….him if he
was stuck. He kept up his studying for a number of months because he wouldn't risk (sit) …………….
the exam until he was ready.
Taking the Test
Then came the time for Ali (take) ………………….the test. He couldn't stop (worry) …………………
before the test. His teacher had recommended (do) ………………….the Task 2 first in the writing so
he followed those instructions. He finished (write) ………………….his Task 2 after exactly 40 minutes
and then went on to the Task 1. The speaking test seemed (go) ………………….quite well even
though he was nervous. He can recall (ask) ………………….the examiner at the end how well he
had done but she refused (tell) ………………….him. Then came the time for his result. he had
expected (get) ………………….a band 5.5 but he was surprised (find) ………………….out that he
had been given a band 6.
The Result
So Ali could now go and study abroad. Although he was happy, unfortunately it did mean
(leave) ………………….his wife and children for a year. He considered (take) ………………….them
with him but it would be too expensive. He knew he would miss (see) ………………….them every
day but his parents offered (take) ………………….care of them and promised (make) ………………
sure they were safe. Ali did love (travel) ………………….though so he knew he would enjoy the trip.
He began (prepare) ………………….his trip immediately.
Follow-up Activity
A. There´s more to Ali`s life than his pursuit of studying abroad. From what it has been mentioned
above and your own ideas, write down what other things have happened to him. Use 10 NEW
verbs followed by a GERUND or INFINITIVE.
B. Think about your own life up to now. . Write what you have done to achieve something you
really wanted. Use 10 NEW verbs followed by a GERUND or an INFINITIVE.
C. Complete the following exercise with gerund or infinitive forms of the indicated verbs. Place
the verbs in the appropriate tense. Some verb forms need to be passive.
Traffic Report
D. You will have trouble (1.commute) this afternoon, folks. Interstate 5 is blocked for
two miles north and south of 80th Street, so I strongly suggest (2.use) an alternate
route if possible. Construction on the Factoria interchange has caused (3.slow) on I-
405, so use caution there. Repairs on the Evergreen Point Bridge
(4. expect / complete) by 6:00 A.M. today, but the bridge is still closed. The Highway
Department issued a statement apologizing for (5. cause) further inconvenience to
motorists, but the repairs are taking longer than planned. The repairs are expected
(6. finish) by 5:00 A.M. Tuesday. Meanwhile, an accident involving an overturned van in the left
lane on the 509 freeway isn't expected (7. clear) for at least half an hour, so avoid
the 509 northbound. You can improve your commute by (8. take) Highway 99, where
traffic is smooth and relatively light.
One month ago, my friend Bernardo decided to lose some weight. He stopped eating chocolate, gave
up drinking beer, and he refused to eat anything high in fat. This was difficult for him because he
enjoyed eating chocolate and he preferred to drink/drinking beer to Diet Coke! Luckily, his girlfriend agreed to
help him. She promised to make him a lot of healthy food, and she did. But after two months, he only managed to
lose 3 pounds. Now, his girlfriend has suggested joining a gym. Bernardo hates exercising, but he will try it.
Bernardo loves traveling. He began traveling when he was a young child. He remembers visiting new places every
Christmas and summer holiday. In particular, he’ll never forget visiting Hawaii in 2010. On the day he and his family
were going to depart, there was a big snowstorm. His father tried to get them to the airport, but the roads were icy.
The car kept sliding. In the airport parking lot, his father actually hit another car. He tried to stop, but he couldn’t.
Finally, when they got inside the airport, Bernardo realized that he had forgotten to pack clothes.
He remembered to bring his passport at least. So after arriving in Honolulu, his family had to stop to buysome
clothes for him. In the end, he had a great trip. He hopes that he never stops traveling.
Gerunds and Infinitives Final Test
Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. Nate deserved ………………….the prize for ………………….that amazing short story
about ………………….through Peru. I don't understand ………………….the award.
2. I can't believe you wanted …………………. …………………., and you forgot ………………….a
fishing pole. How did you expect ………………….any fish? Were you just going to sit in the
river …………………. ………………….fish with your bare hands? You would have had a hard
time ………………….that!
3. Vince is determined ………………….enough money ………………….to South Africa next year. If he
avoids ………………….his money and manages ………………….what he needs ………………….the
trip, he plans on ………………….in June.
4. When Sam mentioned …………………. …………………. …………………., Nina
warned ………………….into the river. She explained that the national park did not
allow ………………….for several reasons. The number one reason
for ………………….visitors ………………….was the large number of crocodiles in the park.
5. The Oscar-winning actor avoids ………………….to his fans and refuses ………………….his autograph.
Moreover, he has difficulty ………………….interviews and
appears ………………….problems ………………….with other people. Doesn't he seem way too
shy an actor?
6. Simone and Michael discussed ………………….to Tahiti on their honeymoon, but they had very different
opinions about such an expensive destination. Michael said that after such a costly wedding, he
couldn't see so much money on a vacation. Simone defended to Tahiti
by that a honeymoon is a once in a lifetime experience.
7. a search engine things up on the Internet is a skill that all students
need . That is why the government is urging basic
computer skills in elementary school. Schools also encourage these skills at home
by the Internet together with their children.
8. Samantha kept problems with her computer at work. Her co-worker Denise
suggested down the computer and it if that would solve the
problem.
9. Jack's interest in foreign languages is a major factor in his decision to China.
One of his life-long goals is Chinese fluently. Chinese will be
quite a challenge, but in China should enable his goal of the
language more quickly.
10. Simon's attempts accommodation in Paris were not very successful. He tried
every hotel in his guidebook, but he was shocked they were all full. He called all the youth
hostels out if they had any beds, but they were full, too. Another traveler advised
him to the tourist information office for help, but the office was closed. Although
Simon hated the idea of Paris without anything, the thought of
in the train station or the streets all night convinced the train to another
city for accommodation there.
A. Complete the text with the infinitive (with or without to) or gerund (-ing) form of the verbs in
brackets.
A. Pamela Barnes is studying marketing at university. She enjoys 1____________ (travel), and would
probably like 2_________________ (work) for a tour company. She’s not very sure about what she
wants 3_____________ (do) after university. She’s thinking of 4__________________ (have) a year off
and5_______________ (travel) round the world with a friend of hers. They hope 6_________________
(find) work on the way.
B. Steve Brown likes 1______________ (cook) and wants 2______________ (be) a chef. His favorite
room in the house is the kitchen, where he spends most of the day. “I love 3_______________ (cook),
especially for lots of people. I have over a hundred cook books.” Steve has decided 4________________
(work) in a restaurant in Paris, where he hopes 5________________ (learn) how to prepare sauces. One
day he would like 6_______________ (have) his own restaurant and continue 7____________ (make)
delicious dishes for his guests there.
INFINITIVES WITH AND WITHOUT TO
B. Complete the text. Decide whether you need an infinitive with or without to.
Holidays in the South West
a) Travel agent: “Can I _______________________________ (to help) you?”
b) Mrs Winton: “I hope so. My family and I would like _______________________________ (to go) away
fortwo weeks in August but we just
can’t decide where _________________________ (to go) .”
c) Travel agent: “Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll be able ____________________________ (to find) something
for you. Could you ______________________ (to tell) me what kind of activities you are looking for?”
d) Mrs Winton: “That’s just the problem, I’m afraid. We are all interested in different things. My son would
like _______________________ (to do) something sporty like abseiling, cycling or hiking. My daughter
wants ___________________________ (to go) horse riding.
My husband is happy as long as he can _________________________ (to play) a round of golf or
___________________________ (to do) a bit of fishing and I would really just like
________________________________ (to relax) anywhere on a nice beach.”
e) Travel agent: “Have you thought about the South West? Devon or Cornwall would seem
_________________________ (to be) the perfect place for you all ________________________ (to
spend) a holiday. You’ll find everything you need there, from spectacular coastlines and
stunning landscapes to a variety of activities forthe whole family __________________________ (to
enjoy) .”
f) Mrs Winton: “Hmm. That does sound good. Have you got any brochures for us
________________________ (to have) a look at?”
g) Travel agent: “Yes, of course. You can _____________________________ (to take) these home with
you. But please don’t wait too long _____________________________ (to make) a decision. The South
West is one of Britain’s most popular holiday destinations, so I would
advise you ______________________________ (to book) early if you don’t want
_______________________________ (to be) disappointed.”
h) Mrs Winton: “Yes, of course. It’s never easy ___________________________ (to find) somewhere that
everybody will like, but I’m sure that the South West will be a good choice for us. I’ll let you
______________________________________ (to know) as soon as possible.”
https://www.manz-verlag.de/IntarS_000005_Ressources/tables/document/0000000502.pdf
Complete the text by putting the verb into the correct form.
Last year I decided (1) …………… (spend) my holiday in Bournemouth. I really wanted (2)
…………… (go) to Thailand but I couldn’t afford (3) ……………… (spend) much money. I didn’t mind (4)
…………… (stay) in England as Bournemouth has a fantastic beach and some great clubs.
However, by the end of the second day I was starting (5) …………… (feel) doubtful about my decision. It
hadn’t stopped (6) …………… (rain) since I arrived and I was beginning to regret (7) …………… (come) to
Bournemouth.
Anyway, that evening I made up my mind (8) …………… (enjoy) myself, so I went to a new club. There I
met a really nice Austrian girl. First I tried unsuccessfully (9) …………… (impress) her by speaking
German. Then I tried (10) …………… (show) her some of my fancy dance steps, which she thought was
really funny. We arranged (11) …………… (go) out together the next day. From then on
everything started (12) …………… (improve) and I ended up having a great time. However, I don’t think I’ll
risk (13) …………… (have) another English holiday – I’m planning (14) ………………. (go) to Austria next
year!
http://www.oebv.at/sixcms/media.php/229/MYW%205-Grammar%20review_exercises_LO.pdf
Complete the following letter by writing the verbs in parentheses in the infinitive or in the gerund.
Dear Terry,
Here I am, in the Big Apple as they call it. I am enjoying it so much, you cant imagine! By
______________ (travel) I have learned to ____________ (appreciate) the contrasts in the world and its
people. I really think that I wouldn't like ___________ (live) during any other epoch: this one is the best!
just think how great it is to be able to sit here, in this bustling city and get a taste of the world by just
___________ (look around) you. Even though the world seems to be ____________ (open) frontiers,
when you look at people attentively, you can see their distinctive characteristics. By __________ (look) at
their appearance you can imagine their nationalities, their interests and event a little of their way of life.
there are some that walk around in white and green promoting campaings for the ecology of the world.
Others are more interested in ___________ (be) in fashion and __________ (have) money, and they like
__________ (wear) only designer clothing. But the most attractive, for their people eccentricity, are the
young who wear distinctive hairstyles, pierce their ears and wear tattoos reflecting their beliefs and their
interests. it is nice to see how there is room for everyone in the world. I wish people could learn
_________ (live) in peace, despite their differences.
I hope _________ (see) you soon
Claire
A woman received a $1000 prize for winning a short-story writing contest. Her acceptance speech appears below. Fill in
the appropriate gerund or infinitive. In some cases, more than one answer may be correct. GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES
335
It is a great honor (award) to be awarded this generous prize tonight. (1) (present) an award for something that I enjoy
doing anyway thrills me. (2) (say) that I am indebted to my parents would be an understatement. (3) (have) parents who
were trained as teachers gave me an important start. From the time I was very young, (4) (study) four hours every day
after school was required. It was a frequent sight (5) (see) my siblings discussing main points and rehearsing the answers
to problems. (6) (scold) by our parents for not paying enough attention to our work would have been the greatest
shame. Besides doing my homework for school, (7) (read) fiction and nonfiction books took up much of my leisure time.
(8) (read) so many types of books by the time I got to college proved to be a marvelous advantage. (9) (see) so many
good written models allowed me to creatively and effortlessly produce my own work for my university English classes.
Today, it requires more discipline for me (10) (be) a good writer. (11) (marry) with three children leaves less time to
write. It requires initiative (12) (arise) every day at 5:00 A.M. to write. (13) (write) in this manner is the only way that I
have been able to produce several short stories and a few poems. (14) (not receive) very good marks on my essay pieces
in college, I have left essay writing to some other writer! Well, I can see that my time is up. It has been an honor (15)
(select) as the winner of this contest and I thank my parents, family, and all of you for your recognition today.
Einstein’s Early Education (1)
Albert Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany, in 1879. (2) Because he learned to speak at a late age, his parents feared that
he was retarded. (3) Modern observers prefer saying that he was a daydreamer. (4) When he was 5 years old, Einstein
began to attend a Catholic school. (5) One instructor was especially critical of his abilities and told his parents that it did
not matter what field young Albert chose because he would not succeed in it. (6) In 1889, Einstein transferred to a very
strict German school called the Luitpold Gymnasium. (7) The rigid structure forced Einstein to distrust authority and
become skeptical. (8) At age 12, Einstein picked up a mathematics textbook and began teaching himself geometry. (9) By
1894, Einstein’s father’s business had failed to prosper, and the family moved to Italy. (10) Einstein, however, remained
behind and began feeling lonely and unhappy. (11) Consequently, he paid less attention to his studies and was finally
asked by one of the teachers to leave. (12) He joined his family in Italy but was not able to matriculate at a university
because he did not have a diploma. (13) When he heard that a diploma was not necessary to enter at the Swiss
Polytechnique Institute in Zurich, he decided to apply. (14) Einstein traveled to Switzerland but did not pass the entrance
examination. (15) He was not prepared well enough in biology and languages, so he enrolled in the Gymnasium at Aarau
to prepare himself in his weaker subjects. (16) Albert enjoyed studying in Aarau more than at the Luitpold Gymnasium
because the teachers wanted to teach students how to think. (17) He took the exam again and was finally permitted to
matriculate into a four-year program. (18) Einstein did not excel during these years at the Institute. (19) In fact, he rarely
attended the lectures. (20) He read his books at home and borrowed his classmates’ notes to pass tests. (21) When
Einstein graduated in 1900, he failed to obtain a position at the Institute. (22) His professors did not intend to reward
Einstein’s lackadaisical attitude toward classes with a position. (23) Because he did not get an academic appointment, he
worked at the Swiss Patent Office. (24) He worked there for several years until he was offered an appointment as
Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Zurich. (25) It was there that Einstein’s revolutionary theories of
space-time began to take hold and threatened to destroy the reputations of other colleagues who had built their careers
on Newton’s ideas of a clockwork universe.
Complete the following sentences based on the passage in Exercise 7. Use an infinitive or gerund. The first one has been
done for you. Example: As a baby, Einstein appeared to be retarded.
1. As a young child, he failed his teachers. 2. At age twelve, Einstein decided himself geometry. 3. Einstein
neglected his homework. 4. When Einstein’s family left for Italy, he quit . 5. Because of this, one teacher advised
him school. 6. Without his family, he couldn’t help lonely. 7. He didn’t mind his family in Italy. 8. Unfortunately,
he couldn’t begin at a university without a diploma. 9. He tried the Swiss Polytechnique but could not pass the
entrance exam. 10. He regretted the entrance exam the first time. 11. Professors at the Polytechnique declined
Einstein a position because of his lackadaisical academic performance. 12. As a clerk at the Swiss Patent Office,
he continued about physics. 13. The University of Zurich invited Einstein a faculty member. 14. Many professors
couldn’t help Einstein’s unusual ideas. 15. Soon he began well-established professors with his revolutionary
theories.
Fill in the following blanks with a gerund or infinitive. 348 UNIT 18 After taking off on the last Mercury mission, Gordon
Cooper settled in for a good night’s sleep halfway through his journey. Compared with most of the duties of spaceflight,
it seemed (1) (be) an easy enough undertaking. But Cooper ended up (2) (have to wedge) his hands beneath his safety
harness to keep his arms from (3) (float around) and (4) (strike) switches on the instrument panel. Since Cooper’s flight,
(5) (sleep) in space has become a routine matter—maybe too routine. When carrying out an especially boring or tiring
task, some astronauts have nodded off—only they didn’t really nod: they simply closed their eyes and stopped (6)
(move). There are none of the waking mechanisms that we would expect (7) (have) on earth—one’s head (8) (fall) to one
side or a pencil (9) (drop) to the floor. Space crews have also found that they don’t need handholds and ladders to get
around; they quickly learn (10) (push off) with one hand and float directly to their destinations. (11) (eat), use a
computer, or do some other stationary task, astronauts now slip their stockinged feet into loops or wedges attached to
the floor. Similarly, a single Velcro head strap suffices (12) (keep) sleeping astronauts from (13) (drift out) toward the
ventilation ducts. A favorite recreation in space is (14) (play) with one’s food. Instead of carrying food all the way to their
mouths with a utensil, some experienced astronauts like (15) (catapult) food from spoons. Although (16) (drink) coffee
seems like the most natural thing on Earth, in space it won’t work. If you tried (17) (tip) the cup back to take a drink, the
weightless coffee would not roll out. One astronaut offers the following advisory: “Don’t let your curiosity tempt you
into (18) (explore) a larger clump of liquid than you’re prepared (19) (drink) later.” If you don’t start (20) (drink) your
blob with a straw, it eventually attaches itself to the nearest wall or window. Although spaceflight has its irritations,
these are necessary if astronauts are to soar. The whole idea of airborne testing is to make (21) (live) and (22) (work) in
weightlessness easy and unremarkable for ordinary folk. Adapted from: D. Stewart, “The Floating World at Zero G,” Air
and Space (August/September 1991): 38
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.
Traffic Report
You will have trouble (1.commute) this afternoon, folks. Interstate 5 is blocked for two miles
north and south of 80th Street, so I strongly suggest (2.use) an alternate route if possible.
Construction on the Factoria interchange has caused (3.slow) on I-405, so use caution
there. Repairs on the Evergreen Point Bridge (4. expect / complete) by
6:00 A.M. today, but the bridge is still closed. The Highway Department issued a statement
apologizing for (5. cause) further inconvenience to motorists, but the repairs are taking
longer than planned. The repairs are expected (6. finish) by 5:00 A.M. Tuesday.
Meanwhile, an accident involving an overturned van in the left lane on the 509 freeway isn't
expected (7. clear) for at least half an hour, so avoid the 509 northbound. You can improve
your commute by (8. take) Highway 99, where traffic is smooth and relatively light.
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?
