GERUND INF DIFFERENCE IN MEANING REMEMBER REGRET FORGET

GERUND & INF = DIFFERENCE IN MEANING REMEMBER, REGRET, FORGET, STOP, TRY, MEAN, GO ON, COME, HELP

REMEMBER, REGRET & FORGET • + TO INF = when the act comes first (‘I remember, then I do’)= acordarse de hacer algo. – I remembered to lock the door, so don’t worry! (me acordé de cerrar la puerta, así que no te preocupes) • + GERUND = when the act comes second (I do sth, then I remember about it) = acordarse haber hecho algo – I don’t remember locking the door… Let’s go back and check! (No recuerdo haber cerrado la puerta… ¡volvamos a comprobar!) Notice that it’s the same: I don’t remember having locked the door.

REMEMBER, REGRET & FORGET – I regret to inform you that you have failed your exam (first I regret, then I inform you) – I regret saying what I said the other day… I’m really sorry. (I said something nasty, then I regret having done that). – Don’t forget to pick the children up at school = remember to pick them up. – I’ll never forget travelling to Africa with you. It was the most special moment in my life! = I’ll always remember the trip to Africa/travelling to Africa.

STOP • + TO INF = Infinitive of purpose – I saw a woman who was carrying many bags, so I stopped (whatever I was doing) to help her. (= in order to) • + GERUND= when you finish doing an activity (not necessarily forever). – She stopped smoking when she went into the hospital. After seeing the doctor, she was convinced to give it up.

TRY • + TO INF = attempt – I tried to open the window, but it’s stuck! • + GERUND = experiment – A: It’s so hot in here! – B: Why don’t you try opening the window?

MEAN • + TO INF= intend – I’ve been meaning to start my project, but I haven’t found time to do it! • + GERUND = involve – Changing jobs also meant changing house.

GO ON • +TO INF = To do something new. – After windsurf, he went on to learn karate. • + GERUND = To continue an action in progress. – I would like to go on living on Mallorca. I love the island!

COME • + TO INF = a change in perception. – I thought he was angry with me, but eventually I came to realize he was going through a serious depression. Ø+ TO INF = can also be an ‘inf. Of purpose’. • I came to watch a movie with you (‘in order to) • + GERUND = movement – He came running to me to give me the good news.

HELP • + TO INF/ BARE INF/ with + gerund = with actions, meaning ‘assist’. – I helped to make dinner = I helped make the dinner= I helped with making the dinner. • + can’t help + GERUND = reaction beyond the subject’s control. – I can’t help laughing at the situation. – Those kids are very naughty, but I can’t help loving them.