Infinitives_Gerunds part 2

Gerund or infinitive

139

Oame Mary Warnock, teaching at Oxford and also wórking in London, is about to take over as Mistress ofGirton College, Cambridge, and talks about the sort of person she is. Complete the extract with the gerund or lnfinitive (with or without to) of the verbs in brackets, 'I enjoy challenges. Ilike the idea of (have) a new job in the year I'm 60. I hate (not have) something on the go. I prefer (be asked) (do) things rather than (think) them up for myself, but l would hate (get up) in the morning and feel there was no purpose to my life. 'NormaUy I get up at? .30. I don't like (stay) in bed much. It is no treat (be told) I needn't (get up) untillater. I like (go) through my

post first thing. If I don't read my letters over breakfast I tend (lose) them. I sort of cart them round the house and don't quite know where they are and that can be fatal, so I tfy (have) a systemarie routine first thing. 'l still divide my time between London and Oxford. On an Oxford

day I start (te ach) at nine. I have (fi.t) my teaching into twa days 80 the earlier Ican persuade anyone (come) the better. Iremember (think) nim: o'clock was outrageously earły for a tutorial when I was an undergraduate, and some ofmy students (do) too. But on the whole they're quite good.' (from the Sun~

140

Times,16 December 1984)

Complete the sentences with the gerund or the infinitive of the verbs in brackets, using the correct form of any pronouns that are included.

1 If the Government's policy is to succeed, they rnust try (keep) prices incheck. 2 The shareholders all think they know what should be done, but the board still needs (convince). 3 Let's invite bim. I'm sure he would love (corne). 4 Someone in the office had rnade a mistake, and the firm regretted (cause) the customer inconvenience. 5 We plan (take) aur holidays abroad this year. 6 The teacher doesn't permit (smoke) during the lessons. 7 I vaguely remember (he, say) something like that, 8 Come over here! I'd like (you, see) this. 9 l always try (be) punctual, but I don't always succeed. 10 It's a tricky problem. I recommend (you, consult) an expert, 11 He'd prefer (you, go) to his płace, if'that's convenient. 12 A membership card authorizes (the holder, use) the club's facilities for a period of twelve months. 13 For the second time this year, Miss Black will attempt (swim) the Channel in less than five hours. 14 Children should start (learn) a foreign language at primary school, 15 The film was sa terrifying that she could hardly bear (watch) it. 16 The new comrnittee member did not venture (speak) at his first meeting. 17 They began (drive) at in the rnorning, and were still on the road ten hours łater. 18 The union leaders urged (their rnembers, think) agam before (decide) (strike). 19 He rernernbered (pass) on most of the information, but omirted (mention) one or two ofthe most important facts, 20 The reporters asked many questions which the freed men declined (answer).

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168

Generał review: gerundsvinfinitives,

and participles

3 I can't bear the thought of (you, go) home without someone (accompany) you. 4 'A iob worth (do) is worth (do) well.'

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5 I should prefer (go) to the cinerna rather than (sit) here (listen) to the radio. 6 Don't stand there (do) nothing. 7 He tried (explain) himself in German but found that no one seemed to understand. 8 Man: This mixer doesn't wark. Woman (sarcastically): Try (switch) it on properly. 9 Surely yOll recollect (he, say) that he would let (I, borrow) his car ifI didn't rnind (pay) for the petroli 10 You know I hate (disappoint) you, but much as I would like (go) out this evening, I have to finish (decorate) this room. 11 I would advise (you, wait) before (decide) (accept) his offer. 12 At present the new child is very shy of (join) in with the others, but very soon I expect (have) (he, show) more confidence.

154 Instructions as for 153. 1 In catch (you, cheat) again, I shall make you (stay) in after school (do) same extra wark.

2 It's no use (blarne) him really. You know he had no choice but (do) as he was told.

3 She can't bear (be left) alone in the dark, (be) accustomed as a child to (have) a light on alI night. 4 He does nothing but (compl:tin) when he is asked (do) anything that means (put) himself out. 5 PeopIe should sometimes stop (think) be for e (speak) their minds. 6 Surely you remember (lend) him the money? I hope, at least, that he won't forget (pay) you back, for he has a habit of (forget) things he doesn't want (remember). 7 The fire needs (make up). Would you mind (attend) to it? 8 I can well understand (you, be) unwilling (rely) on rum after (he, let) you down on a previous occasion. 9 I'm leoking forward to (have) a few days to myself while the rest of the family are away. 10 Like many other people, I dislikę (have) someone (look) over my shoulder (read) my newspaper. l find it difficult (prevent) myself from (say) something sarcastic.

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