MISUSE OF THE INFINITIVE 01

Dialog

Right, you. Pay attention. I'm going to test you on some proper English today. Try not to make a fool of yourself.

Oh, okay. I'll… I'll try my best. I hope I get some right.

Let's start with this one. Do your work without to speak. Is that how you would say it, correctly?

Um, I think... no? It sounds a bit off, like something's missing. Or wrong.

Exactly! It sounds totally wrong. You say do your work without speaking. After without, you always use the -ing form of the verb, called a gerund. Got it? Don't look so confused. It's not that hard.

Right, next. He went away instead to wait. Is that sentence correct?

Oh, I know this one. That's definitely wrong. It should be he went away instead of waiting.

Oh, look at you, actually getting something right for once. Yes, it's instead of waiting. Same rule as before, after a preposition phrase like instead of, you use the -ing form. You're not completely useless, are you?

He is quite capable to do that. Is that a good sentence?

Capable to do... Hmm. I'm not sure. It sounds... maybe okay?

No, it's not okay, you silly goose! It's he is quite capable of doing that. You always say capable of, and then the -ing form. It's just how it is. You need to remember phrases like that.

What about this? She is always fond to talk. Is that correct English?

Fond to talk? That... that doesn't feel right. I think it should be fond of talking?

See? You can get it when you actually try. Yes, it's fond of talking. Just like capable of, fond of takes the -ing form after it. You're not completely hopeless at this. Don't let it go to your head though.

He insisted to go to London. Is that a correct sentence?

Insisted to go... I feel like there's a word missing there. He insisted on going to London?

You're actually paying attention! Yes, insisted on going is right. After insist, you need the preposition on, and then the -ing form of the verb. It's a common mistake, but you got it. Maybe you're not as daft as you look.

How about this one? I object to be treated like this. Is that sentence grammatically sound?

Object to be treated... that one is tricky. It feels a bit formal. I'm not sure if it's right.

Of course, it's tricky, you big softie. But it's wrong! It should be I object to being treated like this. When you use object to, the verb after it takes the -ing form. Don't forget that to here is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. It's a bit advanced for you, but you'll get it if you just listen to me.

Next one: The rain prevented me to go. Is that how you'd say it properly?

Prevented me to go... no, that's definitely wrong. It should be the rain prevented me from going.

Well done! That's completely right. You use prevented from, and then the -ing form. It means you couldn't do something because of something else. See? You're actually learning. I guess I'm a good teacher.

He succeeded to gain the prize. Is that right, you?

Succeeded to gain... I think it's succeeded in gaining the prize.

You're on a roll! Yes, it's succeeded in gaining. The phrase is succeed in, and then the gerund. You're not making a complete mess of this after all. You really are trying, aren't you?

I often think to go to England. Is that how you would express that thought?

Think to go? No. I think it's I often think of going to England.

Spot on, you. It's think of going. We use think of when we're talking about considering something. You're actually doing quite well now, which is a surprise.

The customer grew tired to wait. What do you say to that?

Tired to wait... that's like some of the others, isn't it? It should be the customer grew tired of waiting.

Good memory! You're absolutely correct. It's tired of waiting. After tired of, you use the -ing form. It's not rocket science, but you still managed to get it right.

She is used to get up early. Is that proper English?

Used to get up... This one is confusing because used to usually means something in the past. But this says is used to. So it must mean she's accustomed to it. So it should be she is used to getting up early?

Wow, you actually thought that through! That's amazing. Yes, when it means accustomed to something, it's be used to, and then the -ing form. The to is a preposition here. You're not always completely clueless. I mean, sometimes you are, but not this time.

Last one for now, you. You can't avoid to make mistakes. Is that right?

Avoid to make... I remember this rule from school. You say you can't avoid making mistakes.

You remembered something from school? Shocking! Yes, it's avoid making. Some verbs, like avoid, are just followed directly by the -ing form, not the infinitive. And honestly, you really can't avoid making mistakes, especially you. But you're getting better, so don't worry about it too much.

Right, that's enough for now. You weren't entirely useless. Maybe you'll remember some of it.

Thank you! I think I learned a lot. Thanks for teaching me.

Whatever. Just don't mess it up next time. It's not like I enjoy doing this, you know.

Summary

• 76. Without + -ing.
• 77. Instead of + -ing.
• 78. Capable of + -ing.
• 79. Fond of + -ing.
• 80. Insist on + -ing.
• 81. Object to + -ing.
• 82. Prevent from + -ing.
• 83. Succeed in + -ing.
• 84. Think of + -ing.
• 85. Tired of + -ing.
• 86. Used to + -ing (when meaning accustomed to).
• 87. Avoid + -ing.

Reference: T. J. FITIKIDES, "COMMON MISTAKES IN ENGLISH" p13 - p15