Infinitive or -ing Complete the sentences with the infinitive or -ing form of the verb.Sometimes borh...

1. I hope to earn some money soon.
2. When did you finish painting the kitchen?
3. Don't forget to post my letter!
4. We've decided to get married in the spring.
5. When she saw how I was dressed, she started laughing.
6. What do you want to do tonight?
7. I love listening to live music.
8. She continued talking throughout the whole meal.
9. I'm trying to save some money, but it is difficult.

I hope to earn some money soon. When did you finish painting the kitchen? Don't forget to post my letter! We've decided to get married in the spring. When she saw how I was dressed, she started laughing. What do you want to do tonight? I love listening to live music. She continued talking throughout the whole meal. I'm trying to save some money, but it is difficult.

To complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb (infinitive or -ing), it’s important to understand which verbs are typically followed by each form. Some verbs are followed by the infinitive, some by the -ing form, and some can take both forms with little or no change in meaning. Below are the explanations and correct forms for each sentence:

1. I hope _ (earn) some money soon.

   • Correct form: to earn
   • Explanation: The verb "hope" is typically followed by the infinitive form. Therefore, the correct sentence is: "I hope to earn some money soon."

2. When did you finish _ (paint) the kitchen?

   • Correct form: painting
   • Explanation: The verb "finish" is followed by the -ing form. Therefore, the correct sentence is: "When did you finish painting the kitchen?"

3. Don't forget _ (post) my letter!

   • Correct form: to post
   • Explanation: The verb "forget" can be followed by either form, but the meaning changes. "Forget to do" refers to not remembering to perform an action, which fits this context. Therefore, the correct sentence is: "Don't forget to post my letter!"

4. We've decided _ (get) married in the spring.

   • Correct form: to get
   • Explanation: The verb "decide" is followed by the infinitive form. Therefore, the correct sentence is: "We've decided to get married in the spring."

5. When she saw how I was dressed, she started _ (laugh).

   • Correct form: laughing or to laugh
   • Explanation: The verb "start" can be followed by either the infinitive or the -ing form with little change in meaning. Both "started laughing" and "started to laugh" are correct.

6. What do you want _ (do) tonight?

   • Correct form: to do
   • Explanation: The verb "want" is followed by the infinitive form. Therefore, the correct sentence is: "What do you want to do tonight?"

7. I love _ (listen) to live music.

   • Correct form: listening or to listen
   • Explanation: The verb "love" can be followed by either form. Both "love listening" and "love to listen" are correct.

8. She continued _ (talk) throughout the whole meal.

   • Correct form: talking or to talk
   • Explanation: The verb "continue" can be followed by either form with little change in meaning. Both "continued talking" and "continued to talk" are correct.

9. I'm trying _ (save) some money, but it is difficult.

   • Correct form: to save
   • Explanation: The verb "try" when used with the infinitive form suggests making an effort to do something. Therefore, the correct sentence is: "I'm trying to save some money, but it is difficult."

Understanding these patterns can help in deciding whether to use the infinitive or the -ing form in various contexts.