178 GRAMMAR REVISITED Whether you need to use an infinitive (to invite, to take) or a gerund (inviting, taking) depends on the verb in the sentence. There are no rules that tell us which form to use. We have to remember which structure is used with each verb and look it up in a dictionary if we are not sure. You can use adverbial expressions and adverbs of degree to describe the intensity or extent of something. With some verbs the meaning can change depending on whether a gerund or an infinitive follows. Steve stopped talking to the store detective. Steve stopped to tie his shoelaces. Steve will always remember buying Lizzie’s present this year. After this year, Steve will remember to buy a present for Lizzie. Try putting a reminder in your calendar, Steve! I’ll try to think of Lizzie’s birthday next year. Emily went on talking to the detective for ages. Emily then went on to talk about her experience in Hebendam’s. = He is no longer talking to the detective. = He stopped what he was doing so he could tie his shoelaces. = Steve will certainly remember this activity. = Steve will do what he has promised to do and won’t forget to do this in the future. = Steve should do something in a different way. = Steve is trying something difficult. = She continued talking about the same thing. = She started to talk about something new. These important verbs are usually followed by a gerund: admit, avoid, can’t help, can’t stand, delay, deny, dislike, enjoy, fancy, feel like, finish, give up, imagine, mind, postpone, practise, put off, resist, risk, suggest These important verbs are usually followed by an infinitive: afford, agree, begin, choose, decide, expect, help, hesitate, hope, intend, manage, offer, prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, seem, want Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive: She continued laughing. She continued to laugh. Adverbs of degree You can use them to make adjectives or adverbs stronger or weaker. This haiku is nice. – This haiku is quite nice. – This haiku is really nice. He can write poems well. – He can write poems fairly well. – He can write poems rather well. You can use them to make verbs stronger or weaker. I love writing poetry very much. I like haiku a lot. I really find them fascinating. weaker stronger not very – hardly – a bit/a little/slightly – fairly/quite/rather/pretty – very – really – extremely Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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