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ESL forum >
Ask for help > Help with -ing/infinitive form
Help with -ing/infinitive form
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beefeater
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Help with -ing/infinitive form
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I need to know if these sentences are right. HELP ME, PLEASE!
1. We like visiting our
grandmother on Sundays.
2. I might want to know your Science notes.
3. My father hates wearing a
tie to work.
4. We can�t afford to do a
vacation this summer.
5. The company was pleased to
receive your thank-you letter.
6. Would you mind opening a
window?
7. My suitcase is light
enough to travel this time.
8. She cannot leave the table without finishing her dinner.
9. The music will continue
playing until you turn it off. My little brother dislikes having his
hair brushed.
THANKS
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28 Nov 2011
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Lina Ladybird
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1. We like visiting our grandmother on Sundays. 2. I might want to know your science notes. 3. My father hates wearing a tie to work. 4. We can�t afford going on a vacation this summer. 5. The company was pleased to receive your thank-you letter. 6. Would you mind opening a window? 7. My suitcase is light enough for travelling this time. 8. She cannot leave the table without finishing (having finished) her dinner. 9. The music will continue playing until you turn it off. 10. My little brother dislikes having his hair brushed.
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28 Nov 2011
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yanogator
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I disagree with Lina on #2 and #4. #2: We don �t use "know" in this sense, so the grammar is correct, but the vocabulary doesn �t work. I might want to borrow/look at/see/copy your science notes. #4: We can �t afford to go on a vacation this summer or We can �t afford to take a vacation this summer. Bruce |
28 Nov 2011
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Lina Ladybird
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@Bruce Thanks a lot for correcting me!  You �re completely right about sentence 2; I just didn �t really notice the word "know" in it, because I was so focused on the -ing form vs infinitive issue - stupid me...  BUT can we definitely not say, we cannot afford going on a holiday?! I �ve heard people saying it loads of times - is it really that wrong? Many thanks in advance for taking the time to answer my question!! :-)
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28 Nov 2011
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yanogator
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Lina, Maybe it �s a regional thing, or BrE vs AmE, but I wouldn �t say "We can �t afford going on vacation." OK, others, how does it sound to you? Bruce |
29 Nov 2011
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mariec
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I agree with you Bruce, afford takes the full infinitive not the gerund. |
29 Nov 2011
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mblucc
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I agree with you Bruce too!!! Afford + to infinitive 1 [usually negative]a) to have enough money to buy or pay for something I couldn �t afford the rent on my own. How can she afford to eat out every night? b) to have enough time to do something: Dad can �t afford any more time off work. c) if you cannot afford to do something, you must not do it because it could cause serious problems for you ! Afford can be followed by an infinitive with �to �, but not an -ing form: I can �t afford to buy (NOT can �t afford buying/can �t afford buy) a car. 2 formal to provide something or allow something to happen: The room affords a beautiful view over the city. |
29 Nov 2011
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Lina Ladybird
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Many thanks for the clarification, Bruce and dear mariec!! :-) Thanks to you I �ll never make that mistake again from now on. @mblucc I do have dictionaries myself AND can always google things like that, however, in some cases I trust native speakers more than books or websites... Thanks anyway!! Have a  day - Silke |
29 Nov 2011
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