Explanation
Exercises
Gerunds & Infinitives — Meaning Changes

Lesson focus

Verb patterns where gerund and infinitive choices change meaning: remember, stop, try, regret, mean, go on and more

Advanced aim: Interpret meaning changes created by gerund/infinitive complementation; the focus is semantic contrast, not elementary form recognition.

Remember doing

Remember + -ing refers to a memory of an earlier action.

  • Example: I remember meeting her at a conference in Vienna.
  • In another context: I remember meeting her at a conference in Prague.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Remember to do

Remember + to-infinitive means not forgetting a necessary action.

  • Example: Remember to attach the spreadsheet before you send the email.
  • In another context: Follow-up case: Remember to attach the spreadsheet before you send the email.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Stop doing

Stop + -ing means end an activity.

  • Example: The company stopped producing that model last year.
  • In another context: The agency stopped producing that model in the prior reporting period.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Stop to do

Stop + to-infinitive means pause one activity in order to do another.

  • Example: We stopped to check the map before continuing north.
  • In another context: Regional example: We stopped to check the map before continuing north.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Try doing

Try + -ing suggests experimenting with a possible solution.

  • Example: If the file won't open, try restarting the application.
  • In another context: If the spreadsheet won't open, try restarting the application.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Try to do

Try + to-infinitive means make an effort, whether or not it succeeds.

  • Example: I tried to contact the supplier, but nobody answered.
  • In another context: I tried to contact the contractor, but nobody answered.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Regret doing

Regret + -ing refers to feeling sorry about a past action.

  • Example: I regret accepting the role without asking more questions.
  • In another context: Alternative case study: I regret accepting the role without asking more questions.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Regret to inform

Regret + to-infinitive is used in formal announcements of unwelcome news.

  • Example: We regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful.
  • In another context: Regional example: We regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Mean doing

Mean + -ing means involve or entail.

  • Example: Taking the shortcut would mean crossing private land.
  • In another context: Taking the shortcut would mean crossing a protected site.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Go on to do

Go on + to-infinitive means move to a different subsequent action; go on + -ing means continue the same action.

  • Example: After discussing costs, she went on to explain the legal risks.
  • In another context: Follow-up case: After discussing costs, she went on to explain the legal risks.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

C1 takeaway

Do not ask only “Which form is grammatically possible?” Ask what the speaker is presenting as background or foreground, completed or ongoing, certain or tentative, generic or specific, neutral or emphatic. Advanced grammar is the control of those choices.

Exercises:
1
2
3

Verb patterns where gerund and infinitive choices change meaning: remember, stop, try, regret, mean, go on and more

Practice 1 · Controlled production

Complete each gap using the stated cue. Read the whole context; some items accept more than one form.

1
Use REMEMBER and MEET for a present memory:
I your grandmother at the book launch.
2
Use REMEMBER and ATTACH as an instruction about a necessary action:
the consent form before submitting the application.
3
Use STOP and PRODUCE for discontinued manufacture:
The factory asbestos tiles decades ago.
4
Use STOP and CHECK for an interruption made for a purpose:
We the compass before entering the mist.
5
Use TRY and RESTART to suggest an experiment:
If the display freezes, the device to see whether that solves it.
6
Use TRY and REACH to emphasise effort despite failure:
I the top shelf, but it was beyond my grasp.
7
Use REGRET and ACCEPT for remorse:
I the invitation without checking the date.
8
Use REGRET and INFORM for formal bad news:
We you that the expedition has been cancelled.
9
Use MEAN and CROSS for an unavoidable consequence:
Taking that detour would the restricted airspace.
10
Use GO ON and EXPLAIN for a new stage:
After outlining the problem, she the proposed solution.

Verb patterns where gerund and infinitive choices change meaning: remember, stop, try, regret, mean, go on and more

Practice 2 · Contextual choice

Choose the option that best fits the stated meaning, viewpoint or register.

1
Recall an actual earlier encounter:
I clearly the lighthouse keeper as a child.
2
Ensure a future duty is performed:
the key in the lockbox when you leave.
3
The activity itself ended permanently:
The mill paper after the river was diverted.
4
Walking paused so another action could occur:
Halfway up the ridge, we our breathing.
5
Test an easy remedy, rather than stress difficulty performing it:
the router closer to the window.
6
Emphasise a difficult attempt:
She the knot with numb fingers, but couldn't loosen it.
7
Express remorse for an action already taken:
He the warning as a joke.
8
Make an unwelcome formal announcement now:
We that the final performance will not take place.
9
Express consequence rather than intention:
Restoring the fresco would the entire wall.
10
Describe continuation of the same topic:
Despite the interruption, the lecturer the same equation.

Verb patterns where gerund and infinitive choices change meaning: remember, stop, try, regret, mean, go on and more

Practice 3 · C1 challenge

Choose the interpretation or analysis that best fits the example.

1
“I remembered locking the door” versus “I remembered to lock the door.” What differs?
2
“She stopped smoking to answer the phone.” What stopped, and for what purpose?
3
“Try pressing reset.” Does this primarily warn that pressing is difficult?
4
“I tried calling, but nobody answered.” Is calling invalid because the attempt failed?
5
“I regret telling him.” When does the telling normally occur relative to regret?
6
“We regret to advise you…” belongs most naturally to what register?
7
“I meant to call” versus “Calling meant missing dinner.” What distinguishes mean?
8
“She went on to sing an encore.” What does to sing suggest?
9
“I forgot meeting him.” Does forgetting prove the meeting never happened?
10
“The door needs painting.” Is the door expected to paint something?