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.
Verb patterns where gerund and infinitive choices change meaning: remember, stop, try, regret, mean, go on and more
I _____ her at a conference in Lisbon.
Alternative case study: _____ the spreadsheet before you send the email.
The publishing group _____ that model during the first trial.
Separate scenario: We _____ the map before continuing north.
If the presentation won't open, _____ the application.
I _____ the external vendor, but nobody answered.
Regional example: I _____ the role without asking more questions.
Separate scenario: We _____ you that your application has been unsuccessful.
Taking the shortcut would _____ restricted property.
Alternative case study: After discussing costs, she _____ the legal risks.
Verb patterns where gerund and infinitive choices change meaning: remember, stop, try, regret, mean, go on and more
I _____ her at a conference in Tallinn.
Regional example: _____ the spreadsheet before you send the email.
The research institute _____ that model during the previous cycle.
Follow-up case: We _____ the map before continuing north.
If the database export won't open, _____ the application.
I _____ the service partner, but nobody answered.
Separate scenario: I _____ the role without asking more questions.
Follow-up case: We _____ you that your application has been unsuccessful.
Taking the shortcut would _____ a closed research area.
Regional example: After discussing costs, she _____ the legal risks.
Verb patterns where gerund and infinitive choices change meaning: remember, stop, try, regret, mean, go on and more
I remember meeting her at a conference in Copenhagen.
Separate scenario: Remember to attach the spreadsheet before you send the email.
The manufacturer stopped producing that model during the earlier pilot.
Alternative case study: We stopped to check the map before continuing north.
If the draft document won't open, try restarting the application.
I tried to contact the logistics provider, but nobody answered.
Follow-up case: I regret accepting the role without asking more questions.
Alternative case study: We regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful.
Taking the shortcut would mean crossing an active construction zone.
Separate scenario: After discussing costs, she went on to explain the legal risks.