by R. S. Karunaratne

Noun phrases with ‘to’ and ‘ing’

A noun clause has a finite verb. However, a noun phrase does not have a finite verb. A noun phrase answers the question ‘What?’

Sharon likes playing the violin.

Here ‘playing’ is a non-finite verb. ‘The violin’ is a noun. Together they make a noun phrase.

More examples:

Do you like to play the violin?
Cats like to eat fish.
Cats like eating fish.
Zareena decided to become an optician.
Sara tried studying at the library but she couldn’t.
Some finite verbs have both ‘to’ and ‘ing’ phrases.
We hope to meet interesting people at the seminar.
Sunila plans to go sailing next week.
Some finite verbs have ‘to’ phrases, not ‘ing’ phrases.
We decided to stop at Kadugannawa.

Do you hope to meet leading politicians in Russia?

They plan to build a three-storeyed house in Colombo.
I promise to return the book.
Everybody wants to earn money.
Do you wish to come here again?
Some finite verbs have only ‘ing’ phrases, not ‘to’ phrases.
I will finish making the cake at 10 a.m.
Let’s practise playing the guitar.
Stop making rude remarks.

[Activity]

Some of the following sentences are incorrect. Re-write them correctly. Check your answers with the key.

1. You asked me when I decided becoming a doctor.

........................................................

2. I can’t remember to decide making medicine my career.

...........................................

3. Sheela never planning to study engineering.

............................................................

4. She didn’t even hope doing well in the A/L subjects.

................................................

5. Like most other children, she loved to dance.

..........................................

6. When did she begin dancing?

....................................................

7. She didn’t allow anyone to see her dancing.

............................................

8. She refused dancing at a concert.

.............................................

9. Lakshmi stopped to drive after the accident.

...................................................

10. Brenda plans joining AB Company.

--------------------

Key:-

1. You asked me when I decided to become a doctor.
2. I can’t remember deciding to make medicine my career.
3. Sheela never plans to study engineering.
4. She didn’t even hope to do well in the A/L subjects.
5. Correct
6. Correct
7. Correct
8. She refused to dance at a concert.
9. Lakshmi stopped driving after the accident.
10. Brenda plans to join AB Company.

Words are wonderful raw material to make sentences. They help us to express ourselves eloquently. Here is a quiz to test your word power.

Tick off the meaning of the word in bold type in each sentence. Check your answers with the key.

1. Carlos has earned the reputation as a pettifogger.

(a) unscrupulous lawyer
(b) brilliant lawyer
(c) unsuccessful lawyer

2. The judge commended the lawyer for his circumspect handling of the case.

(a) prudent
(b) careless
(c) foolish

3. A demure high school girl was cast in the main role.

(a) tall
(b) brilliant
(c) shy

4. We need a dispassionate observer to settle this dispute.

(a) impartial
(b) strict
(c) educated

5. Long years in coal mines have made Lucas effete.

(a) proud
(b) strong
(c) worn out

6. The feisty thug was ready to fight with anyone in the street.

(a) popular
(b) quarrelsome
(c) old

7. The media highlighted Don’s flaccid response to the bribery charge.

(a) arrogant
(b) strong
(c) feeble

Key:-

1. (a) 2. (a) 3. (c) 4. (a) 5. (c) 6. (b) 7. (c)