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Grammar Basics: Unit 53 – to… and –ing (Solution)

Exercise.  Use the correct form of the verb:  to… // –ing.

Example:  

I want __________ home. (go) ==> I want to go home.
It has stopped __________. (rain) ==> It has stopped raining.

1.    Jack decided to move to Texas.
2.    Aunt Betty enjoys listening to jazz music.
3.    Our company expects to have strong sales in the second quarter.
4.    We have to finish decorating for the party before Shelia comes home.
5.    My sister forgot to put a sandwich in my lunch box.
6.    Father hopes to have the cottage built in time for summer vacation.
7.    We’re learning to bake chocolate chip cookies.
8.    I hope you don’t mind having chicken for supper tonight.
9.    We need to buy some milk and eggs.
10.    Mother offered to give the boy a ride to the library.
11.    I plan to get a part-time job.
12.    Matt promised to stop smoking.
13.    John refused to take “no” for an answer.
14.    No matter what, I’ll never stop loving you.
15.    Let me suggest cleaning the living room before Mother and Father come home.
16.    Ken wants to get a bike for his birthday.

Exercise.  Complete the sentences with to…. // –ing.  Use a verb from the list.

Example:

I would like (leave) now, please. ==> I would like to leave now, please.
Tim enjoys (play) the piano. ==>   Tim enjoys playing the piano.

1.    Jack began to snore as soon as his head hit the pillow. // Jack began snoring as soon as his head hit the pillow.
2.    After taking a rest, Mark continued to mow the lawn. // After taking a rest, Mark continued mowing the lawn.
3.    When did you and Martha decide to move to Albuquerque?
4.    I would prefer to have a hotel room on the second floor.
5.    I enjoy exercising outdoors rather than indoors.
6.    We expect to complete the project within the week.
7.    Please wait for me – I haven’t finished packing my bags yet.
8.    The children would love to do some skiing on their vacation, I’m sure.
9.    Don’t forget to buy some stamps for the Christmas cards.
10.    Joan hates folding the laundry. // Joan hates to fold the laundry.
11.    I hope to make $3000 a month in commissions.
12.    When a teacher sets and enforces homework deadlines, children learn to manage their time.
13.    Uncle Bob likes to sing in the shower. // Uncle Bob likes singing in the shower.
14.    The baby loves to ride on the rocking horse. // The baby loves riding on the rocking horse.
15.    The gentleman asked if we minded watching his bags while he grabbed a bite to eat at the hot dog stand.
16.    Peter needs to get a haircut.
17.    Make sure there is enough gas in the car – I would hate to think of you walking all the way home.
18.    Susan offered to throw a going-away party for Max.
19.    We plan to have a big party for the holidays.
20.    I prefer to stay up late rather than get up early. // I prefer staying up late rather than getting up early.
21.    Father promised to take the twins to the zoo next Saturday.
22.    Sally refused to go on a date with Herman after he treated her so poorly.
23.    As soon as I turned the key, the car engine started to make a strange sound. // As soon as I turned the key, the car engine started making a strange sound.
24.    The reporter asked the politician if he had stopped beating his wife yet.
25.    Let me suggest going to bed early if you want to get a head start on your trip tomorrow.
26.    Debbie tried to call her brother, but he never answered the phone. // Debbie tried calling her brother, but he never answered the phone.
27.    I want to make sure you understand completely what’s at stake here.
28.    I would like to propose a toast to the bride and groom.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 53 – to… and –ing

Some verbs are followed by the infinitive marker to and another verb in its base form:

decide to:    We decided to go to the Bahamas for our vacation.
expect to:    Mother expects you to come visit her next week.
forget to:    Did you forget to turn off the water?
hope to:    We hope to open a new restaurant by the end of next month.
learn to:    Billy learned to ride a bike today.
need to:    You need to do your homework.
offer to:    Mark should have offered to pay for the window he broke.
plan to:    John plans to attend Stanford University.
promise to:    I promise to keep your secret.
refuse to:    Mr. Brown refused to let his students go until they had memorized the Gettysburg Address.
want to:    I want to ride a rollercoaster.

Some verbs are followed by another verb in the –ing form:

enjoy:    Tom enjoys swimming.
finish:    Have you finished cleaning your room yet?
mind:    I don’t mind sleeping on the couch.
stop:    Please stop bothering me.
suggest:    The waiter suggested trying the grilled salmon.

Some verbs can be followed either by to + V (inf) or + V –ing:

begin:    Jack picked up the book and began to read. // Jack picked up the book and began reading.
continue:    If you continue to ignore your homework, you won’t do well in class. // If you continue ignoring your homework, you won’t do well in class.
hate:    Mr. Williams hates to golf. // Mr. Williams hates golfing.
like:    I like to walk in the rain. // I like walking in the rain.
love:    I love to go to the county fair. // I love going to the county fair.
prefer:    Sally prefers to vacation in Florida. // Sally prefers vacationing in Florida.
start:    The wind started to blow hard as soon as we got off the bus. // The wind started blowing hard as soon as we got off the bus.
try:    Jane tried to cook a turkey, but it turned out to be a disaster. // Jane tried cooking a turkey, but it turned out to be a disaster.

Some verbs, when used with would, are followed by the infinitive marker to and another verb in its base form:

would hate:    I would hate to be in his shoes when his wife finds out about his secret.
would like:    The doctor would like to see you now.
would love:    We would love to visit you sometime.
would prefer:    Mother would prefer to travel by train, I’m sure.

 

Exercise.  Use the correct form of the verb:  to… // –ing.

Example:

I want __________ home. (go) ==> I want to go home.
It has stopped __________. (rain) ==> It has stopped raining.

1.    Jack decided __________ (move) to Texas.
2.    Aunt Betty enjoys __________ (listen) to jazz music.
3.    Our company expects __________ (have) strong sales in the second quarter.
4.    We have to finish __________ (decorate) for the party before Shelia comes home.
5.    My sister forgot __________ (put) a sandwich in my lunch box.
6.    Father hopes __________ (have) the cottage built in time for summer vacation.
7.    We’re learning __________ (bake) chocolate chip cookies.
8.    I hope you don’t mind __________ (have) chicken for supper tonight.
9.    We need __________ (buy) some milk and eggs.
10.    Mother offered __________ (give) the boy a ride to the library.
11.    I plan __________ (get) a part-time job.
12.    Matt promised __________ (stop) smoking.
13.    John refused __________ (take) “no” for an answer.
14.    No matter what, I’ll never stop __________ (love) you.
15.    Let me suggest __________ (clean) the living room before Mother and Father come home.
16.    Ken wants __________ (get) a bike for his birthday.

Exercise.  Complete the sentences with to…. // –ing.  Use a verb from the list.

Example:

I would like (leave) now, please. ==> I would like to leave now, please.
Tim enjoys (play) the piano. ==>   Tim enjoys playing the piano.

1.    Jack began __________ (snore) as soon as his head hit the pillow.
2.    After taking a rest, Mark continued __________ (mow) the lawn.
3.    When did you and Martha decide __________ (move) to Albuquerque?
4.    I would prefer __________ (have) a hotel room on the second floor.
5.    I enjoy __________ (exercise) outdoors rather than indoors.
6.    We expect __________ (complete) the project within the week.
7.    Please wait for me – I haven’t finished __________ (pack) my bags yet.
8.    The children would love __________ (do) some skiing on their vacation, I’m sure.
9.    Don’t forget __________ (buy) some stamps for the Christmas cards.
10.    Joan hates __________ (fold) the laundry.
11.    I hope __________ (make) $3000 a month in commissions.
12.    When a teacher sets and enforces homework deadlines, children learn __________ (manage) their time.
13.    Uncle Bob likes __________ (sing) in the shower.
14.    The baby loves __________ (ride) on the rocking horse.
15.    The gentleman asked if we minded __________ (watch) his bags while he grabbed a bite to eat at the hot dog stand.
16.    Peter needs __________ (get) a haircut.
17.    Make sure there is enough gas in the car – I would hate __________ (think) of you walking all the way home.
18.    Susan offered __________ (throw) a going-away party for Max.
19.    We plan __________ (have) a big party for the holidays.
20.    I prefer __________ (stay) up late rather than __________ (get) up early.
21.    Father promised __________ (take) the twins to the zoo next Saturday.
22.    Sally refused __________ (go) on a date with Herman after he treated her so poorly.
23.    As soon as I turned the key, the car engine started __________ (make) a strange sound.
24.    The reporter asked the politician if he had stopped __________ (beat) his wife yet.
25.    Let me suggest __________ (go) to bed early if you want to get a head start on your trip tomorrow.
26.    Debbie tried __________ (call) her brother, but he never answered the phone.
27.    I want __________ (make) sure you understand completely what’s at stake here.
28.    I would like __________ (propose) a toast to the bride and groom.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 52 – work / working, go / going, do / doing (Solution)

Exercise.  Complete the sentences.  Use either “eat breakfast” or “to eat breakfast.”

Example:

I’ll _____________. ==>  I’ll eat breakfast.
John’s going _____________. ==>  John’s going to eat breakfast.

1.    I could eat breakfast.
2.    You must eat breakfast.
3.    Mary wants to eat breakfast.
4.    He may eat breakfast.
5.    They have to eat breakfast.
6.    We can eat breakfast.
7.    I want to eat breakfast.
8.    You should eat breakfast.
9.    She might eat breakfast.
10.    Father used to eat breakfast.

Exercise.  Complete the sentences with a verb from the list.  Choose either the base form (sleep/play) or the –ing form (sleeping/playing).

Example:

Shhh – the baby is (sleep/sleeping). ==> Shhh – the baby is sleeping.
Do you (play/playing) a musical instrument?  ==>  Do you play a musical instrument?

1.    I might need your help later this afternoon.
2.    Make sure to set the alarm – I’m getting up early tomorrow morning.
3.    What are you wearing for the costume party next week?
4.    Did John practice the piano after school?
5.    Mark didn’t write his thank-you note yet.
6.    They must be tired after their long journey.
7.    Does the hotel have a swimming pool?
8.    Mary said she would bring some salad for the picnic.
9.    Our team is playing the Southsiders tomorrow.
10.    The ice cream stand doesn’t take credit cards.

Exercise.  Put the verb in the correct form.  Choose either the base form, the infinitive form, or the –ing form.

Example:

May I _____________ you?  (help) ==>  May I help you?
I have _____________ a movie for my history class.  (watch) ==>  I have to watch a movie for my history class.
The children _____________ hopscotch.  (play) ==>  The children are playing hopscotch.

1.    We would like to rent a cabin for our vacation.
2.    Does this vending machine work?
3.    I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
4.    They’re going to build a new school across the street.
5.    We will give you a call as soon as we get home.
6.    The janitor is cleaning the boys’ bathroom right now.
7.    We must hear the orchestra play Mozart’s requiem – I’ve heard it’s an excellent performance.
8.    Uncle Howard doesn’t like opera.
9.    I would like to visit the Grand Canyon someday.
10.    Mother couldn’t open the pickle jar.
11.    What time does your plane leave tomorrow morning?
12.    When did you come home last night?
13.    Father used to sing in the choir when he was a young man.
14.    I have to return the library book today.
15.    The children want to go to the museum this weekend.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 52 – work / working, go / going, do / doing

Let’s review some of the things we’ve covered here in Grammar Basics so far.

When we use modal verbs (will, shall, might, may, can, could, must, should, would), we use what is called the base form, or dictionary form, of the verb:

will:    John will wash the dishes.
shall:    I shall call you later today.
might:    It might rain tomorrow.
may:    Tom may come to the party.
can:    Bobby can write his name now.
could:    We could go to the park.
must:    You must stand up.
should:    He should get a new car.
would:    I would be quiet if I were you.

The base form / dictionary form is also used with do/does and did:

do/does:

Do you see John anywhere?
Does your dog have a leash?
The phone doesn’t work.

did:

When did you come home last night?
I didn’t eat the cupcake.

We also use the base form / dictionary form after the infinitive marker to:

going to:    I’m going to go to bed now.
have to:    Tom has to do his homework after school.
want to:    We want to build a sand castle.
would like to:    I would like to have some tea, please.
used to:    We used to play by the river when we were kids.

–ing is used for the continuous form:

am/is/are –ing:

Our school is putting on the play, The Diary of Anne Frank.
We are going on vacation next month.
I am taking a shower.

was/were –ing:

I was sleeping when you called.
The boys were playing outside when Grandfather arrived.

 

Exercise.  Complete the sentences.  Use either “eat breakfast” or “to eat breakfast.”

Example:

I’ll _____________. ==>  I’ll eat breakfast.
John’s going _____________. ==>  John’s going to eat breakfast.

1.    I could _____________.
2.    You must _____________.
3.    Mary wants _____________.
4.    He may _____________.
5.    They have _____________.
6.    We can _____________.
7.    I want _____________.
8.    You should _____________.
9.    She might _____________.
10.    Father used _____________.

Exercise.  Complete the sentences with a verb from the list.  Choose either the base form (sleep/play) or the –ing form (sleeping/playing).

Example:

Shhh – the baby is (sleep/sleeping). ==> Shhh – the baby is sleeping.
Do you (play/playing) a musical instrument?  ==>  Do you play a musical instrument?

be/being
bring/bringing
get/getting
have/having
need/needing
play/playing
practice/practicing
take/taking
wear/wearing
write/writing

1.    I might _____________ your help later this afternoon.
2.    Make sure to set the alarm – I’m _____________ up early tomorrow morning.
3.    What are you _____________ for the costume party next week?
4.    Did John _____________ the piano after school?
5.    Mark didn’t _____________ his thank-you note yet.
6.    They must _____________ tired after their long journey.
7.    Does the hotel _____________ a swimming pool?
8.    Mary said she would _____________ some salad for the picnic.
9.    Our team is _____________ the Southsiders tomorrow.
10.    The ice cream stand doesn’t _____________ credit cards.

Exercise.  Put the verb in the correct form.  Choose either the base form, the infinitive form, or the –ing form.

Example:

May I _____________ you?  (help) ==>  May I help you?
I have _____________ a movie for my history class.  (watch) ==>  I have to watch a movie for my history class.
The children _____________ hopscotch.  (play) ==>  The children are playing hopscotch.

1.    We would like _____________ a cabin for our vacation. (rent)
2.    Does this vending machine _____________? (work)
3.    I’m so hungry I could _____________ a horse. (eat)
4.    They’re going _____________ a new school across the street. (build)
5.    We will _____________ you a call as soon as we get home. (give)
6.    The janitor _____________ the boys’ bathroom right now. (clean)
7.    We must _____________ the orchestra play Mozart’s requiem – I’ve heard it’s an excellent performance. (hear)
8.    Uncle Howard doesn’t _____________ opera. (like)
9.    I would like _____________ the Grand Canyon someday. (visit)
10.    Mother couldn’t _____________ the pickle jar. (open)
11.    What time does your plane _____________ tomorrow morning? (leave)
12.    When did you _____________ home last night? (come)
13.    Father used _____________ in the choir when he was a young man. (sing)
14.    I have _____________ the library book today. (return)
15.    The children want _____________ to the museum this weekend. (go)

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