Infinitivo o -ing? in inglese
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Infinitivo o -ing?
Esistono molti verbi di uso comune che, quando sono seguiti da un altro verbo, hanno caratteristiche particolari:
• Verbi seguiti dall’infinito: to want, to refuse, to seem, to manage...
• Verbi seguiti dall’infinito: to want, to refuse, to seem, to manage...
Bruno wants to conclude the negotiations tomorrow. Bruno vuole finire le trattative domani.
I promise to do my best. Prometto di fare del mio meglio.
Susie expects to work all night on this project. Susie conta di lavorare tutta la notte a questo progetto.
I refuse to negotiate with terrorists. Mi rifiuto di trattare con i terroristi.
This seems to be a waste of my time. Mi sembra una perdita di tempo.
I managed to catch the train. Sono riuscito a prendere il treno.
The candidate happened to be my ex-girlfriend. Casualmente la candidata era la mia ex-ragazza.
• Verbi che sono sempre seguiti da un verbo che termina in ing: to enjoy, to avoid, to consider...
I'll consider hiring your nephew. Prenderò in considerazione l’ipotesi di assumere suo nipote.
Horatio enjoys drinking coconut milk. A Horatio piace bere latte di cocco.
Would you mind opening the window? Le spiace aprire la finestra?
Please avoid making silly mistakes. Per favore, eviti di fare errori sciocchi.
I can't help loving you. Non posso fare a meno di amarti.
• E per finire, verbi che possono essere seguiti sia dall’infinito sia da un verbo che termina in ing:
I remember writing you an email. Ricordo di averti scritto un'email.
I remember to write you emails weekly. Non dimentico di scriverti email ogni settimana.
I stopped picking flowers. Ho smesso di raccogliere fiori.
I stopped to pick flowers. Mi sono fermato per raccogliere dei fiori.
I remember to write you emails weekly. Non dimentico di scriverti email ogni settimana.
I stopped picking flowers. Ho smesso di raccogliere fiori.
I stopped to pick flowers. Mi sono fermato per raccogliere dei fiori.
Nota: Secondo la regola, i verbi di preferenza (to like, to love, to hate, to prefer) sono seguiti dall’infinito se si riferiscono a un’azione precisa (es.: I hate to end this conversation, but I have to go.), e da un verbo che termina in ing quando si tratta di gusti permanenti (es.: I hate ending conversations prematurely.).
Esercizio 1
After work, Horatio enjoys several glasses of whiskey.
After work, Horatio enjoys drinking several glasses of whiskey.
drinking: 'Drinking' is the correct choice here. The verb 'to enjoy' can only be followed by another verb in the gerund ("ing") form. Example: I enjoy drinking wine. Generally, verbs which express preference or feeling are followed by other verbs in the gerund form.
to drink: 'To drink' is incorrect because the verb 'enjoy' must be followed by the verb in its -ING form. We cannot follow the verb 'to enjoy' with a verb in the infinitive form.
drinked: 'To drink' is an irregular verb and cannot be conjugated as 'drinked' in any tense. To drink: drink/drank/drunk. Also, the verb 'to enjoy' is always followed by another the verb in its gerundive (ING) form.
drunk: The verb 'to enjoy' is always followed by another verb in the 'ING' form. In English, conjugated verbs are generally followed by either verbs in the infinitive form, or by verbs in the gerundive form.
Esercizio 2
Choose the appropriate forms of the verb 'to go' to complete the dialogue!
Horatio: I need and see the dentist tomorrow, so I can't come in to work.
Bruno: Oh, that's too bad. I hate to the dentist. Are you having a tooth pulled?
Horatio: No. I'm just to collect the money he owes me.
Horatio: I need and see the dentist tomorrow, so I can't come in to work.
Bruno: Oh, that's too bad. I hate to the dentist. Are you having a tooth pulled?
Horatio: No. I'm just to collect the money he owes me.
Choose the appropriate forms of the verb 'to go' to complete the dialogue!
Horatio: I need to go 1 and see the dentist tomorrow, so I can't come in to work.
Bruno: Oh, that's too bad. I hate going 2 to the dentist. Are you having a tooth pulled?
Horatio: No. I'm just going 3 to collect the money he owes me.
Horatio: I need to go 1 and see the dentist tomorrow, so I can't come in to work.
Bruno: Oh, that's too bad. I hate going 2 to the dentist. Are you having a tooth pulled?
Horatio: No. I'm just going 3 to collect the money he owes me.
1 to go: The verb 'to need' is always followed by a verb in its full infinitive form (with 'to').
1 go: 'Go' is incorrect here, because we need the infinitive form of the verb after 'need'.
2 going: Generally, verbs of preference (to hate, to love, to prefer, etc) are followed by verbs in the gerundive (ING) form. 'Hate' is a unique verb as it can be followed both by the gerundive (ING) form as well as the full infinitive form (to go), each of these expresses a slightly different meaning however.
2 go: We cannot use this form of 'go' directly after the verb 'to hate' in this context. We could say, however: 'I hate to go to the dentist'.
3 going: This is the correct choice. We can use 'going' to express a future action. This is the best choice here.
3 to go: We cannot use 'to go' to indicate the future action of this sentence.
Esercizio 3
Bruno: I always enjoy with you, Miss Bliss.
Susie: As do I, sir. I could go on to you all day.
Bruno: So, I've decided you a raise.
Susie: That's wonderful! I promise you proud of your decision.
Bruno: I don't want this conversation short, but I have to use the rest room.
Susie: But of course. I'll talk to you later.
Susie: As do I, sir. I could go on to you all day.
Bruno: So, I've decided you a raise.
Susie: That's wonderful! I promise you proud of your decision.
Bruno: I don't want this conversation short, but I have to use the rest room.
Susie: But of course. I'll talk to you later.
Bruno: I always enjoy chatting 1 with you, Miss Bliss.
Susie: As do I, sir. I could go on talking 2 to you all day.
Bruno: So, I've decided to give 3 you a raise.
Susie: That's wonderful! I promise to make 4 you proud of your decision.
Bruno: I don't want to cut 5 this conversation short, but I have to use the rest room.
Susie: But of course. I'll talk to you later.
Susie: As do I, sir. I could go on talking 2 to you all day.
Bruno: So, I've decided to give 3 you a raise.
Susie: That's wonderful! I promise to make 4 you proud of your decision.
Bruno: I don't want to cut 5 this conversation short, but I have to use the rest room.
Susie: But of course. I'll talk to you later.
1 chatting: This is the best choice here. The verb 'enjoy' is always followed by an 'ING' form of the verb (chatting). Bruno is referring to the progressive action of talking with Susie which also signals the necessity of an 'ING' verb.
1 to chat: This is incorrect. We cannot use the infinitive form of a verb when followed by the verb to 'enjoy'
1 chat: This is incorrect. We cannot use the infinitive form of a verb when followed by the verb to 'enjoy'
2 talking: This is the best choice here. The verb 'go on' is always followed by the 'ING' form of the verb (talking). In general, verbs which indicate a continuing action (to keep, to keep on, to go on, to continue) are always followed by the 'ING' form of a verb.
2 to talk: This is incorrect. We cannot use the infinitive form of a verb when followed by the verb to 'go on'
2 talk: This is incorrect. We cannot use the infinitive form of a verb when followed by the verb to 'go on'
3 to give: This is the best choice here. The verb 'to decide' is followed by the full infinitive form of the verb (to give). Certain verbs in English are always followed by the infinitive form of another verb. There is no definitive rule, just a list of verbs which follow this pattern.
3 giving: This is incorrect. We cannot use the 'ING' form of the verb following the verb 'to decide'.
3 give: This is incorrect. We must use the full infinitive form a verb (to give) following the phrase 'I have decided'.
4 to make: This is the best choice here. The verb 'to promise' is followed by the full infinitive form of the verb 'to make'. 'To promise' is one of the exceptional verbs in English which is never followed by the 'ING' form of another verb.
4 making: This is incorrect. We cannot use the 'ING' form of the verb following the verb 'to promise'. 'To promise' is one of the exceptional verbs in English which is never followed by the 'ING' form of another verb.
4 make: This is incorrect. We must use the full infinitive form a verb (to make) following 'I promise'.
5 to cut: This is the best choice here. The verb 'to want' is always followed by the full infinitive form of the verb.
5 cutting: This is incorrect. We cannot use the 'ING' form of the verb directly following any form of the verb 'to want'. It is simply one of the complexities of the English language.
5 cut: This is incorrect. We must use the full infinitive form of the verb (to cut) following the phrase 'I don't want'.
Esercizio 4
Bob: Hey, Luna. What are you ?
Luna: I'm meditating.
Bob: Would you like a cookie? They've got lots of sugar.
Luna: No thanks. I avoid too much sugar.
Bob: What? How can you sugar?
Luna: sugar makes me hyper, and then I can't concentrate.
Bob: More for me, I guess. See you!
Luna: I'm meditating.
Bob: Would you like a cookie? They've got lots of sugar.
Luna: No thanks. I avoid too much sugar.
Bob: What? How can you sugar?
Luna: sugar makes me hyper, and then I can't concentrate.
Bob: More for me, I guess. See you!
Bob: Hey, Luna. What are you doing 1?
Luna: I'm meditating.
Bob: Would you like a cookie? They've got lots of sugar.
Luna: No thanks. I avoid eating 2 too much sugar.
Bob: What? How can you avoid 3 sugar?
Luna: Eating 4 sugar makes me hyper, and then I can't concentrate.
Bob: More for me, I guess. See you!
Luna: I'm meditating.
Bob: Would you like a cookie? They've got lots of sugar.
Luna: No thanks. I avoid eating 2 too much sugar.
Bob: What? How can you avoid 3 sugar?
Luna: Eating 4 sugar makes me hyper, and then I can't concentrate.
Bob: More for me, I guess. See you!
1 doing: This is the best choice here. Because Bob is asking Luna what she is 'doing' at the moment he is talking to her, we use the present progressive form 'are doing'.
1 to do: 'What are you to do' is grammatically incorrect. We could say, however: 'What are you going to do?'.
1 do: 'What are you do' is grammatically incorrect.
1 done: 'What are you done' is grammatically incorrect. We could say, however: 'What have you done?'.
2 eating: This is the best choice here. The verb 'avoid' is followed by the 'ING' form of the verb (eating).
2 to eat: This is incorrect. We cannot follow the phrase 'I avoid' with the infinitive form of the verb (to eat).
2 eat: This is incorrect. We cannot follow the phrase 'I avoid' with the infinitive form of the verb (to eat).
2 eaten: This is incorrect. 'Eaten' is the past participle of the verb 'to eat'. It cannot be used here, as the verb follows the phrase 'I avoid'.
3 avoid: This is the best choice here. After the modal auxiliary verb 'can', we use an infinitive verb (without 'to'). For example: 'When can you clean my car?'. 'To avoid (playing sports)' is to refrain, or stay away from playing sports.
3 avoiding: 'How can you avoiding' is grammatically incorrect. We could ask however, 'Why are you avoiding (eating) sugar?'
3 avoided: We cannot use the preterit verb form 'avoided' when we are asking a question about current preferences.
3 to avoid: 'How can you to avoid' is grammatically incorrect. We cannot use the full infinitive form of the verb (with 'to') here.
4 Eating: This is the best choice here. 'Eating' is in the gerundive form here. The gerundive is often used as a noun form of the verb (the substantive) to express the action of a verb without a subject.
4 To eat: 'To eat sugar' does not make sense here. When infinitives are used with grammatical subjects, it is usually to give directions or instructions. For example: 'To get to the bank, drive straight down the street and take a right'.
4 Eat: 'Eat sugar' does not make sense here. 'Eat sugar' would be an imperative.
4 Eats: 'Eats sugar' is grammatically incorrect. If the verb is conjugated, we need a grammatical subject (He eats too much sugar).
Esercizio 5
Philip: Hey Icarus, my man. Are you coming to get a beer after work?
Icarus: Mother said she doesn't want me out too late.
Philip: That's too bad. If I you, I the umbilical cord.
Icarus: Uhh, but I don't have any, uhh, scissors.
Philip: Well, it's about time you a pair.
Icarus: Mother said she doesn't want me out too late.
Philip: That's too bad. If I you, I the umbilical cord.
Icarus: Uhh, but I don't have any, uhh, scissors.
Philip: Well, it's about time you a pair.
Philip: Hey Icarus, my man. Are you coming to get a beer after work?
Icarus: Mother said she doesn't want me to stay 1 out too late.
Philip: That's too bad. If I were 2 you, I would cut 3 the umbilical cord.
Icarus: Uhh, but I don't have any, uhh, scissors.
Philip: Well, it's about time you bought 4 a pair.
Icarus: Mother said she doesn't want me to stay 1 out too late.
Philip: That's too bad. If I were 2 you, I would cut 3 the umbilical cord.
Icarus: Uhh, but I don't have any, uhh, scissors.
Philip: Well, it's about time you bought 4 a pair.
1 to stay: In this sentence, the verb 'to want' must be followed by a verb in the full infinitive form: She doesn't want me TO STAY... Note that occasionally the verb to want can be followed by a gerund: Mother doesn't want me STAYING out too late.
1 stay: We cannot use 'stay' without 'to' here.
1 stayed: The preterit tense 'stayed' is grammatically incorrect. Icarus is speaking about the present, not the past.
1 have stayed: 'Have stayed' is incorrect. We cannot use the present perfect tense in this construction.
2 were: The subjunctive preterit 'were' always follows 'if' in hypothetical constructions such as this. Although it is acceptable in spoken English to use the simple past 'was' in subjunctive constructions, the subjunctive past 'were' is preferred. Note that the subjunctive past is conjugated in the same way as simple past (or preterit), with the exception of the verb 'to be', which is irregular.
2 would be: We cannot use the conditional 'would' in the first clause when the sentence begins with 'if'.
2 am: We cannot use the present simple tense (am) when the sentence begins with 'if'.
2 was: We cannot use the past simple tense (was) when the sentence begins with 'if'.
3 would cut: Because the first clause (If I were you...) begins with 'if', we must use the conditional 'would' in the second clause. 'Would' is always followed by the infinitive form of the verb without 'to' (cut).
3 should cut: 'Should' does not make sense here. 'Should' is used to make suggestions, but it is not used in 'if' statements. Philip could simply say, however: 'You should cut the umbilical cord'.
3 cutted: 'Cutted' is not an English word. The verb 'to cut' is irregular. I cut / I cut / I have cut.
3 cut: We cannot use the present tense 'cut' here, because we need to use the conditional form 'I would cut'.
4 bought: We always use the subjunctive preterit tense (bought) to follow the expression 'it's about time'. The subjunctive preterit is identical to the preterit form for most verbs. In this sentence Philip's expression 'it's about time' expresses that 'now is the time for Icarus to cut the umbilical cord' or that Icarus should 'cut the umbilical cord as soon as possible'.
4 buy: We cannot use the present tense verb 'buy' to follow the expression 'it's about time', which is a conditional construction and requires the subjunctive preterit form of the verb to follow it.
4 would buy: We cannot use the conditional 'would buy' to follow the expression 'it's about time', which is a conditional construction and requires the subjunctive preterit form of the verb to follow it.
4 should buy: We cannot use 'should' to follow the expression 'it's about time', which is a conditional construction and requires the subjunctive preterit form of the verb to follow it.
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