Some adjectives, nouns and verbs can be followed by infinitives with or without to. Some are followed by ing forms. There are also some words that can be followed by either an infinitive or an ing form.
Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word or phrase.
1She didn’t want me ...............
Wrong!
After "want" + object, use a to-infinitive, so the correct answer is "to go".
2They don’t allow people ............... in the kitchen.
Wrong!
After "allow" + object, use a to-infinitive, so the correct answer is "to smoke".
3They don’t allow ............... in the kitchen.
Wrong!
After "allow" without an object, use an -ing form, so the correct answer is "smoking".
4I didn’t ask ............... the bill.
Wrong!
After "ask" + object, use a to-infinitive, so the correct answer is "you to pay".
5Why won’t you let me ...............?
Wrong!
After "let" + object, use the infinitive without "to", so the correct answer is "explain".
6I heard him ............... the door and go out.
Wrong!
After "hear" + object, the infinitive without "to" can describe the whole action, so the correct answer is "open".
7I suggested ............... a job.
Wrong!
After "suggest", use a that-clause, so the correct answer is "that she should get".
8You are advised ............... early.
Wrong!
After the passive form "are advised", use a to-infinitive, so the correct answer is "to start".
9I prefer you ............... me by my first name.
Wrong!
After "prefer" + object, use a to-infinitive, so the correct answer is "to call".
10Be careful ............... the children.
Wrong!
The usual negative form of a to-infinitive puts "not" before "to", so the correct answer is "not to wake".
11The next ............... was a big black snake.
Wrong!
After "the next", use a to-infinitive to show order, so the correct answer is "to arrive".
12You were lucky ............... killed.
Wrong!
The usual negative form of a to-infinitive puts "not" before "to", so the correct answer is "not to be".
Answers
- She didn’t want me to go.
- They don’t allow people to smoke in the kitchen.
- They don’t allow smoking in the kitchen.
- I didn’t ask you to pay the bill.
- Why won’t you let me explain?
- I heard him open the door and go out.
- I suggested that she should get a job.
- You are advised to start early.
- I prefer you to call me by my first name.
- Be careful not to wake the children.
- The next to arrive was a big black snake.
- You were lucky not to be killed.