REMEMBER
- I’ll always remember standing at the edge of that cliff in Norway, looking down at the fjord 300 meters below. It was the most breathtaking moment of my life. (remember + -ing = memory of a past experience)
- Before we start the bungee jump, please remember to check all your safety equipment twice. Your life depends on it! (remember + infinitive = don’t forget to do something)
FORGET
- I’ll never forget seeing the sunrise from the summit of Kilimanjaro. The colors were absolutely incredible and changed every minute. (forget + -ing = lose the memory of a past experience)
- Oh no! I forgot to pack my climbing helmet for tomorrow’s rock climbing trip. Can you lend me yours? (forget + infinitive = fail to do something you should have done)
REGRET
- I regret telling my parents about my plan to skydive. They’ve been worried sick ever since and keep calling me every day. (regret + -ing = feel sorry about something you did in the past)
- We regret to inform you that due to dangerous weather conditions, tomorrow’s paragliding session has been cancelled. (regret + infinitive = formal announcement of bad news)
TRY
- Have you tried white-water rafting before? It’s one of the most thrilling adventure sports you can experience. (try + -ing = experiment with something to see if you like it)
- If the zip line gets stuck, try pulling the emergency brake slowly. Don’t yank it suddenly or you might damage the mechanism. (try + gerund = attempt to do something in order to solve the problem, experiment, test something)
- If the zip line gets stuck, try to pull the emergency brake slowly. (Implies that you have to make an effort or attempt to do something difficult. It implies that pulling the brake might be very hard to do — perhaps it is jammed or out of reach, and you need to exert physical effort to successfully pull it.)
- The child was so small, but he tried to open the heavy door. (He put all his physical effort into trying to move the door, but he might not have succeeded).
MEAN
- Learning to base jump means accepting serious risks. You need to be mentally prepared for the possibility of equipment failure. (mean + -ing = involve/result in something)
- I didn’t mean to scare you when I described what could go wrong during cave diving. I just wanted you to be properly informed. (mean + infinitive = intend to do something)
STOP
- We stopped taking photos when the storm clouds appeared on the horizon. Safety comes first in mountain climbing. (stop + -ing = cease doing an activity)
- Halfway up the mountain, we stopped to admire the spectacular view of the valley below us. It was worth the effort. (stop + infinitive = pause in order to do something else)
GO ON
- The professor went on talking for hours despite the students’ boredom. (He kept talking; go on + -ing = to keep doing the exact same thing you were already doing.)
- After graduating from university, she went on to become a successful CEO. (She finished university and then changed to her next life stage; go on + infinitive = switch to a new action: to finish one task and immediately move on to the next step or phase).
Let’s summaries. Study the table below:
| Verb | Followed by -ing | Followed by to + Infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| Try | Experiment with a method to see if it works | Make a physical/mental effort to achieve something difficult |
| Stop | Quit or end an activity | Pause an activity to start a new one |
| Remember | Recall a past memory of an event | Remember a task/duty before doing it |
| Forget | Lose the memory of a past event | Fail to perform a necessary duty |
| Regret | Feel sorry about a past mistake | Express sadness before giving formal bad news |
| Go on | Continue doing the same activity | Change to a completely new activity |
| Mean | Involve a specific result or consequence | Intend or plan to do an action |
PRACTICE
Read the task and choose the correct option: A or B. Write the complete form, not the letters A or B.
