Verb Structure

Just as we have seen with collocation and tenses - verb structure is another aspect of English that differs from Italian and can lead to many errors if you translate.

Using a mono-lingual dictionary will help you to learn which structures are possible and which aren't. Pay particular attention to reporting verbs and verbs such as "suggest" and "agree" which students often make mistakes with.

Also start to notice how infinitive and -ing forms differ in the types of situations they describe.

Infinitives will often show the reason for an action (e.g. I went to the shop to buy some bread) or refers forward in time (e.g. Remember to call home tonight)
Gerunds will follow a preposition or act as a noun or refer back in time (e.g. I regret getting drunk last night)

An important thing to remember is the function of each word in a phrase - look at the difference in structure & meaning between used to and to be used to.

The past habit is - used (past tense verb) to do (infinitive)
but the current habit (the thing you are accustomed to) is - to be (verb) used (adjective) to (preposition) doing (gerund)


The other important aspect to look at is when verbs can be followed by both gerunds and infinitives but the meaning changes. In these cases you could make a mistake and not realise it!

Look at the pairs of sentences below and decide what the difference in meaning is:

1. I stopped buying a newspaper because I can't afford it.
2. I stopped to buy a newspaper on the way to work.
3. I regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful.
4. I regret not studying harder for the test last week.
5. After his introduction he went on to talk about the main disadvantages of the new law.
6. He went on talking about the new law for ages.
7. Remember to lock the door before you go out.
8. I remember locking the door before I went out.
9. Try to learn 8 new words for next week.
10. Try using a monolingual dictionary to help you with your vocabulary.