by R. S. Karunaratne

‘It’ with infinitive subjects

We usually do not begin a sentence with an infinitive. But we can begin a sentence with ‘It’ followed by an infinitive.
It is important to do your homework.
It was good to meet our old friends.
It is nice to be with family members.
It is really good to work in a place where you are recognised.
It was dangerous to swim as the river was in spate.

Very often we begin a sentence with ‘It is important..., It is not necessary’ ..., or ‘It is possible.’

It is important to study regularly.
It is not necessary to bring me gifts when you come to meet me.
It is possible to meet the director today.
It is impossible to climb the mountain in this rainy weather.
It is impossible to take leave these days.

We can use ‘-ing’ forms as subjects.
Smoking is bad for your health.
Swimming is slower than running.
Driving makes me tired.
Travelling involves a lot of expenses.
Reading is more profitable than watching television.
Flying is faster than going by train.
Speaking is easier than writing.
Understanding is harder than listening.
Shopping is more interesting than walking.

In public notices we use ‘No’ before ‘-ing’ forms.
No spitting
No parking
No swimming
No smoking
No camping
No cycling
No loitering
After some verbs we can use ‘-ing’ forms.

Do you enjoy reading books?
Children love watching cartoon films.
Have you finished taking photos?
I have given up eating sweets.
Mother has gone shopping.
Do you practise dancing?
She suggested stopping at the bookshop.
Some women enjoy gossiping.
I couldn’t help laughing.
He has just finished painting.
Lal has given up smoking.
He is going fishing.
We are practising cricket.
She has stopped talking to me.
Do you hate getting up early?
Boys dislike washing dishes.
I don’t play cricket but I like watching matches.
I don’t mind working late.
Children love playing with their pets.
She hated studying geography.

After ‘love, like’ and ‘hate’ we can use infinitives with ‘to’ or ‘-ing’ forms.
I love dancing.
I love to dance.
Mary likes gossiping.
Mary likes to gossip.
I hate cooking.
I hate to cook.

Match words and meanings

Here’s an exciting way to enrich your vocabulary. Match the words in column ‘A’ with their meanings in column ‘B’ and check your answers with the key. The first has been done for you.

[Column A]

J 1. coal-fired
... 2. coalition
... 3. coarse
... 4. coast
... 5. coastline
... 6. coated
... 7. coax
... 8. cobbler
... 9. cock
... 10. cock-a- doodle-doo
... 11. cock-a-hoop
... 12. cockerel
... 13. cockeyed
... 14. cockscomb
... 15. cocksure
... 16. codger
... 17. coerce
... 18. cogent
... 19. cogitate
... 20. coincide
... 21. cold-hearted
... 22. collapse
... 23. collected
... 24. collide
... 25. colloquial

[Column B]

A. the joining together of different political parties
B. the long call which the cock makes
C. not straight
D. the particular shape of the coast
E. the soft red growth on the head of a male chicken
F. an old man
G. to persuade somebody forcefully
H. a person who repairs shoes
I. too confident
J. using coal as a fuel
K. extremely happy and excited
L. to persuade somebody gently
M. a young male chicken
N. an adult male chicken
O. clearly expressed
P. the land next to the sea
Q. to think very carefully
R. to happen at or near the same time
S. informal
T. to hit something violently
U. showing control over your feelings
V. to fall down suddenly
W. not feeling sorry
X. thickly covered
Y. rough

Key:
2. A 3. Y 4. P 5. D 6. X 7. L 8. H 9. N 10. B 11. K 12. M 13. C 14. E 15. I 16. F 17. G 18. O 19. Q 20. R 21. W 22. V 23. U 24. T 25. S

Starters:

Question word + ‘to infinitive’

Before a question word we can use verbs such as ‘ask, decide, discover, discuss, explain, find out, forget, know, learn, remember, say, think, understand’ and ‘wonder.’

I didn't know what to ask for.
Have you decided when to sit the examination?
Engineers have discovered how to make a temporary bridge across the river.
We are discussing what to do next.
I didn't know how to explain our situation.
Can you find out what to do tomorrow?
Don't forget when to switch off the lights.
I didn't know what to write in the examination hall.
Can you learn how to type in three months?
I can't remember how to open the safe.
He said what to expect ion such a situation.
She couldn't think what to do.
Try to understand what to do now.
I was wondering where to park my car.

Sometimes there is a verb + object before the question word.

She showed me how to bake a cake.
They advised us when to return home.
Can you teach me how to write an official letter?
Please tell me where to sign.
The principal asked the teacher where to hold the function.

We can use ‘whether’ but not ‘if’ before a ‘to infinitive'.

I can't decide whether to resign from my job.
She wasn't sure whether to ring the police.
I was wondering whether to order lunch or snacks.

‘For’ with the ‘to infinitive’

Mother has arranged for somebody to look after the house.
It's difficult for uneducated people to find jobs.

Traditional homes

Match the people in Column ‘A’ with their homes in Column ‘B’ and check your answers with the key.

[Column A (People)]

1. Aborigine
... 2. convict
... 3. Inuit
... 4. king
... 5. lumberjack
... 6. man
... 7. Maori
... 8. monk
... 9. noble
... 10. nun
... 11. parson
... 12. pioneer
... 13. Bhikkhu
... 14. prisoner
... 15. soldier
... 16. traveller
... 17. vicar
... 18. Zulu
... 19. Native American
... 20. minister

[Column B (Homes)]

A. house
B. convent
C. castle
D. cell
E. barracks
F. whare
G. wagon
H. humpy
I. manse
J. parsonage
K. kraal
L. igloo
M. monastery
N. vicarage
O. caravan
P. prison
Q. palace
R. wigwam
S. temple
T. log-cabin

Key:

1. H 2. P 3. L 4. Q 5. T 6. A 7. F 8. M 9. C 10. B 11. J 12. G 13. S 14. D 15. E 16. O 17. N 18. K 19. R 20. I