Patrones Verbales: Infinitivo vs. Gerundio en Inglés

Verbos con Infinitivo o Gerundio sin Cambio de Significado

• Begin, start, continue + to-inf/ -ing (nunca dos –ing seguidos)
• Advise, allow, permit, recommend, encourage + -ing (objeto/pasiva)
• It needs/ it requires/ it wants + -ing (hace falta)

Verbos con Infinitivo o Gerundio con Cambio de Significado

• Forget + to inf (olvidar hacer algo); forget + -ing (olvidar una acción pasada)
• Remember + to inf (recordar hacer algo); remember + -ing (recordar una acción pasada)
• Go on + to inf (pasar a hacer una acción cuando has acabado algo); Go on + -ing (acción continua)
• Mean + to inf (pretender); mean + -ing (significar/implicar)
• Regret + to inf (lamentar/ arrepentirse de algo que no tienes la culpa); Regret + -ing (lamentar haber hecho algo, tienes la culpa)
• Try + to inf (intentar); Try + -ing (probar a)
• Want + to inf (desear); Want + -ing (necesitar que algo se haga)
• Stop + to inf (dejar de hacer algo para hacer otra cosa); stop + -ing (parar de hacer algo)
• Be sorry + to inf (lamentar, no tienes culpa); Be sorry for + -ing (disculparse por algo, culpa)
• Be afraid + to –inf (tener miedo); be afraid of + -ing (da miedo lo que pueda suceder/ las consecuencias)

Ejemplos

EX: The rules in my new school are very strict. The teachers don´t allow talking (talk) in class at all. We are only permitted to speak (speak) if they ask us a question. On the first day, the headmaster advised us all to work (work) very hard. In fact, he recommended studying (study) for at least four hours every evening! We are not allowed to leave (leave) the school at lunchtime but we are encouraged to join (join) one of the school clubs.

EX: -Remember to go (go) to the bank. -I don´t remember seeing (see) this film before. -When he had written his first book he went on to write (write) seven more. -She went on talking (talk) even after her friend had fallen asleep. -I regret leaving (leave) school at the age of 16. -I regret to tell (tell) you that you have failed the test. -He means to build (build) a boat and a travel round the world. -Doing well on this course means studying (study) very hard. -I´ve been trying to start (start) this car for hours. -Why don´t you try putting (put) some petrol in the tank? -I don´t want to drive a car; I´m afraid of having (have) an accident. -He´s afraid to walk (walk) alone at night. -She forgot to invite (invite) her best friend to the party. -I´ll never forget seeing (see) snow for the first time. -On the way home he stopped to buy (to buy) some chocolate. -The baby didn´t stop crying (cry) all night. -These windows are dirty. They need washing (wash). -I want to speak (speak) to Sally, please. -She´s really sorry for shouting (shout) at you last night. -I´m sorry to tell (tell) you your car has been stolen.