ni2 14-15/5/14

Homework: p. 153, grammar reference (-ing or to inf.)

gadget /ˈgædʒɪt/ noun [ C ]

a small piece of equipment that does a particular job, especially a new type

a kitchen gadget

Techno-geek [countable] informal

Someone whose main interest is electronic equipment, especially equipment connected with computers and the Internet, and who spends too much time buying this equipment and using it - often used to show disapproval:

Techno-geeks on the hunt for new tools

Itchy scratchy

run off something (=use something for power)

It runs off batteries.

one-way [usually before noun]

1 a one-way street is one in which vehicles are only allowed to travel in one direction:

the town's one-way system

do without (sb/sth) phrasal verb

to manage without having someone or something

Jack's the kind of player we can't do without.

Shortcut ( also UK ˌ short ˈ cut ) /ˈʃɔːtkʌt/ noun [ C ]

1 QUICK a quicker and more direct way of getting somewhere or doing something

I took a shortcut through the car park.

2 COMPUTER [ COMPUTING ] In computing, a shortcut is a quick way to start or use a computer program.

a shortcut key

toll road [countable]

a road that you pay to use

WORD FOCUS: road

a big road:  main road, highway, motorway British English, freeway American English, expressway, turnpike      American English, interstate   American English, A-road   British English

a road in a town:     street, avenue, boulevard

a road in the countryside:    country road, lane, track

a road you pay to use:   toll road

parts of a road: fast lane, slow lane, hard shoulder  British English/shoulder     American English, central reservation    British English/median strip American English, pavement     British English/sidewalk American English

rinse 1 /rɪns/ verb [ T ]

to wash something in clean water in order to remove dirt or soap

Rinse the beans with cold water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_sY2rjxq6M&feature=kp

Verbs followed by ‘ing’ or by ‘to + infinitive’

When one verb is followed by another, the second verb can either be an infinitive or an –ing form. Some verbs can be followed by only an infinitive, others by only an –ing form and some by both but with a change in meaning. To know which structure to use, you can consult a good dictionary but here are some common examples.

Verb + infinitive

• I want to speak to the manager.
• She’s learning to ride a horse.
• He offered to help us wash up.

‘Want’, ’learn’ and ‘offer’ are followed by to + infinitive

Other verbs in this group include: afford, agree, ask, choose, decide, expect, hope, prepare, promise, pretend, refuse, would like.

Verb + ‘ing’ form

• I enjoy travelling.
• He admitted stealing the necklace.
• I don’t mind waiting if you’re busy.

‘enjoy’ ‘admit’ and ‘mind’ are followed by the ‘ing’ form

Other verbs in this group include: avoid, consider, dislike, feel like, finish, give up, can’t help, 

practise, suggest.

Verb + infinitive or ‘ing’ form with no change in meaning

A few verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or the ‘ing’ form and the meaning does not change.

• I started to work here in 1994.
• I started working here in 1994.

The meaning of these two sentences is the same.

There aren’t many verbs that can take an infinitive or an ‘ing’ form with no change in meaning. ‘Begin’ and ‘continue’ are two more examples.

There is also a group of verbs that can be followed by an infinitive or an ‘ing’ form with a change in meaning.

Remember:

Remember + ___ing

1. I remember telling her about the bowling.

2. I remember hitting the car, but after that I don't know what happened.

In this case, 'remember' means that you have the memory of that action or event. You know it happened because you can now remember it.

Remember + to ___

3. I remembered to turn off the lights when I left the room.

4. Remember to bring your passport with you.

In this case, remember means that you do not forget to do something.

Try:

Try + ___ing

1. Try using a heavier bowling ball.

2. If you want to lose weight, try doing more exercise.

In this case, we use try when we suggest a way to achieve something. For example, there are many ways you can lose weight...

Try doing more exercise

Try changing your diet

Try eating less

All of these suggestions are good ways to achieve your goal; they are all ways to lose weight.

Try + to ___

3. I tried to open the window but it was impossible.

4. I am trying to hit the pins, but I keep missing them.

In this case, try means that we attempted to do something, but we failed to do it. We made an unsuccessful attempt to do something.

Forget:

Forget + ___ing

1. I've forgotten telling you that it is my birthday today.

2. He's forgotten promising to send you the pictures.

In this case, forget means that you did the action, but now you cannot remember that you did it. So, in sentence 2, he promised to send you the pictures, but he still hasn't sent them to you. Why? Because he has forgotten about his promise.

Note: For this meaning, we often use a 'that clause', rather than the '___ing' form. For example:

I've forgotten that I told you that it is my birthday today.

He's forgotten that he promised to send you the pictures.

Forget + to ___

3. I forgot to telephone the bank before I went on holiday.

4. She's forgotten to bring her passport. We can't go on holiday now!

In this case, forget means you didn't do something.

Regret:

Regret + ___ing

1. She regrets leaving her last boyfriend. She still loves him.

2. I regret changing my job. I don't like my new one.

In this case, regret means that you did something in the past, and now you feel sad that you did it.

Regret + to ___

3. We regret to tell you that your flight has been cancelled.

4. I regret to say that you have not passed your exam and that you must now leave the university.

In this case, regret means that, right now, you are sorry to give bad news to someone.