Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or infinitive. The meaning is usually different. Verb + ing form tends to have a passive meaning.
Fill in the blanks with a gerund or infinitive.
1I tried ............... the door, but I couldn't.
Wrong!
Use "to unlock" because try + to-infinitive means make an effort to do something difficult.
2She tried ............... up.
Wrong!
Use "to get" because try + to-infinitive means make an effort to do something.
3If the printer doesn't work, try ............... the green button.
Wrong!
Use "pressing" because try + -ing means test an action as a possible solution.
4"The tea is too strong." "Try ............... some milk."
Wrong!
Use "adding" because try + -ing suggests a possible solution to a problem.
5You need ............... your hair.
Wrong!
Use "to cut" because a person needs to do an action.
6Your hair needs ...............
Wrong!
Use "cutting" because need + -ing has a passive meaning: your hair needs to be cut.
7You need ............... that carpet.
Wrong!
Use "to wash" because a person needs to do an action.
8The carpet needs ...............
Wrong!
Use "cleaning" because need + -ing has a passive meaning: the carpet needs to be cleaned.
9"I can't turn my phone on." "Try ............... it."
Wrong!
Use "charging" because try + -ing suggests an action that may solve the problem.
10They were quarreling in the other room. I couldn't help ............... them.
Wrong!
Use "overhearing" because can't help + -ing means cannot stop yourself from doing something.
11Can you help me ............... these plates?
Wrong!
Use "to wash" because help can be followed by an object and a to-infinitive.
12The joke was very funny. I couldn't help ...............
Wrong!
Use "laughing" because can't help + -ing means cannot stop yourself from doing something.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- I tried to unlock the door, but I couldn’t.
- She tried to get up.
- If the printer doesn’t work, try pressing the green button.
- “The tea is too strong.” “Try adding some milk.”
- You need to cut your hair.
- Your hair needs cutting
- You need to wash that carpet.
- The carpet needs cleaning
- “I can’t turn my phone on.” “Try charging it.”
- They were quarreling in the other room. I couldn’t help overhearing them.
- Can you help me to wash these plates?
- The joke was very funny. I couldn’t help laughing