Lesson: Infinitive or -ING

Infinitivo ou -ing?

Às vezes precisamos decidir quando usar um verbo em sua forma:

   -ing (doing, singing)

ou

   infinitiva (to do, to sing).

Por exemplo, apenas uma das seguintes frases está correta. Qual?

   I dislike working late. (???)
   I dislike to work late. (???)

Quando usar a forma infinitiva

1. A forma infinitiva é utilizada depois de certos verbos:

• forget, help, learn, teach, train
• choose, expect, hope, need, offer, want, would like
• agree, encourage, pretend, promise
• allow, can/can't afford, decide, manage, mean, refuse

   I forgot to close the window.
   Mary needs to leave early.
   We can't afford to take a long holiday.

2. A forma infinitiva sempre vem depois de adjetivos, por exemplo:

• disappointed, glad, happy, pleased, relieved, sad, surprised

   I was happy to help them.
   She will be delighted to see you.

2.1 Isto inclui too + adjetivo:

   The water was too cold to swim in.
   Is your coffee too hot to drink?

2.2 A forma infinitiva também vem depois de adjetivo + enough:

   He was strong enough to lift it.
   She is rich enough to buy two.

Quando usar -ing

1. A forma -ing é usada quando a palavra é o sujeito de uma sentença ou cláusula:

   Swimming is good exercise.
   Doctors say that smoking is bad for you.

2. A forma -ing é usada depois de uma preposição:

   I look forward to meeting you.
   They left without saying "Goodbye."

3. A forma -ing é usada depois de certos verbos:

• avoid, dislike, enjoy, finish, give up, mind/not mind, practise

   I dislike getting up early.
   Would you mind opening the window?

4. Alguns verbos podem ser seguidos de -ing ou ficarem na forma infinitiva sem alterar muito o sentido:

• begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start.

   It started to rain.
   It started raining.
   I like to play tennis.
   I like playing tennis.

Exercises

1. Lesson:Infinitive or -ING/ExerciseA1