Brief Summary
This video provides a detailed review of Unit 5, focusing on verbs followed by gerunds (verbs + -ing) and infinitives (to + base form). It explains how the choice between these forms can alter the meaning of a sentence, particularly with verbs like "remember," "forget," "stop," "try," "like," "regret," "prefer," "go on," and "mean." The video also covers passive gerunds, the use of "would rather" and "would sooner," and sensory verbs followed by either a bare infinitive or an -ing form, depending on whether the action is completed or in progress.
- Understanding the nuances of verb usage with gerunds and infinitives is crucial for accurate communication.
- Certain verbs change meaning depending on whether they are followed by a gerund or an infinitive.
- Context is key to determining the correct verb form, especially with sensory verbs and passive constructions.
Introduction
The speaker emphasizes the importance of adding something new to life and to the field of English language learning, encouraging viewers to think deeply and look beyond the obvious. He highlights that true understanding comes from considering things thoughtfully rather than relying solely on superficial observations. The session will focus on reviewing Unit 5, building upon the concepts introduced in the first part, which is essential viewing for full comprehension.
Verbs Followed by Gerunds and Infinitives
The discussion begins with verbs that can be followed by either a gerund (verb + -ing) or an infinitive (to + base form), noting that the meaning can change depending on the choice. The speaker uses examples to illustrate how using a gerund or an infinitive after certain verbs alters the sentence's meaning. For instance, "stop to do something" has a different meaning than "stop doing something." The lecture will explore these differences with verbs like "remember," "forget," "stop," "like," and "regret."
Remember: Gerund vs. Infinitive
The verb "remember" is examined to show how it functions differently with a gerund versus an infinitive. When "remember" is followed by a gerund, it means recalling something that was done in the past. Conversely, when followed by an infinitive, it means remembering to do something in the future. The speaker uses diagrams to illustrate the sequence of events, emphasizing that "remember" acts as a central point in time, either recalling a past action (gerund) or planning a future one (infinitive).
Forget: Understanding its Usage
The verb "forget" is discussed, noting that "don't forget" is equivalent to "remember," thus taking the to + base form. The key to using "forget" correctly is determining whether the action happened or not. If the action did not occur, "forget" is followed by an infinitive (to + base form). If the action did occur but was forgotten, "forget" is followed by a gerund (-ing form). The speaker provides examples to clarify these distinctions, such as forgetting to mention something versus forgetting mentioning something.
Stop: Interrupting Actions
The verb "stop" is analyzed to differentiate between "stop doing something" and "stop to do something." "Stop + -ing" means to cease an activity, while "stop + to + base" means to halt one activity in order to do another. Examples include stopping smoking (ceasing the activity) versus stopping the car to buy something (halting driving to perform a purchase). The speaker stresses the importance of understanding the context to choose the correct form.
Try: Experimentation vs. Effort
The verb "try" is explored, focusing on its function and the context in which it is used. "Try + -ing" implies an experiment or test to see what happens, while "try + to + base" suggests making an effort to do something. The speaker emphasizes that recognizing the function of "try" in a sentence is more important than simply choosing between the gerund and infinitive forms. He connects the -ing form with experimentation and the infinitive form with making an effort.
Like: Enjoyment vs. Good Idea
The verb "like" is examined to differentiate between expressing enjoyment and suggesting a good idea. "Like + -ing" indicates general enjoyment of an activity, similar to "fancy," while "like + to + base" suggests that doing something is a good idea. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the function of "like" in a sentence, whether it expresses enjoyment or suggests a course of action.
Regret: Past Actions vs. Apologies
The verb "regret" is analyzed, distinguishing between regretting a past action and expressing sorrow or apology. "Regret + -ing" indicates remorse for something done in the past, often with a time marker indicating a past event. "Regret + to + base," on the other hand, is a way of offering an apology or expressing regret about delivering bad news. The speaker stresses the importance of recognizing the function of "regret" in a sentence, whether it relates to a past action or an apology.
Prefer: General vs. Specific Preferences
The verb "prefer" is discussed, differentiating between general preferences and specific choices related to a particular situation. "Prefer + -ing" indicates a general preference, similar to enjoying something, while "prefer + to + base" relates to a specific action or situation. The speaker notes that "would prefer" is always followed by "to + base" and highlights the structure of expressing preference between two options using "than."
Go On: Continuing vs. Transitioning
The verb "go on" is explored, distinguishing between continuing the same activity and transitioning to a new one. "Go on + -ing" means to continue the same activity, while "go on + to + base" means to move on to a new topic or action. The speaker emphasizes that "to + base" indicates a transition between two subjects or actions, while "-ing" indicates continuation of the same activity.
Mean: Involving vs. Intending
The verb "mean" is analyzed, differentiating between "involve/result in" and "intend." "Mean + -ing" implies that something involves or results in something else, while "mean + to + base" indicates intention or purpose. The speaker provides examples to illustrate these distinctions, such as becoming a perfumer meaning giving up spicy food (involving) versus not meaning to put too much chili sauce (intending).
Sensory Verbs: Bare Infinitive vs. -ing Form
The discussion shifts to sensory verbs like "see," "watch," "listen to," "hear," and "feel," which can be followed by either a bare infinitive (base form) or an -ing form. The choice depends on whether the action is viewed as completed or in progress. A bare infinitive indicates a completed action or a momentary event, while the -ing form indicates an action in progress or an incomplete event. The speaker uses examples to clarify these distinctions, emphasizing that the key is whether the event is observed in its entirety or only partially.
Passive Gerunds: After Specific Verbs
The concept of passive gerunds is introduced, noting that after verbs like "need," "deserve," and "require," a gerund can have a passive meaning. The speaker highlights that "require" and "deserve" are straightforward, always followed by an -ing form, while "need" presents a challenge because it can be followed by either "to + base" or "-ing." The choice depends on whether there is an object following the verb "need." If there is an object, "to + base" is used; if not, "-ing" is used, giving the sentence a passive sense.
Would Rather and Would Sooner: Preferences
The usage of "would rather" and "would sooner" is explained, focusing on whether there is one subject or two. With one subject, the base form of the verb is used directly after "would rather" or "would sooner." With two subjects, the second subject is followed by a verb in the past simple form (verb 2). The speaker emphasizes that the two subjects must be clearly defined, with the second subject immediately following "would rather" or "would sooner."
Practical Application and Examples
The speaker applies the concepts discussed by working through various examples. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the context and function of the verbs in each sentence to choose the correct form. The examples cover a range of scenarios, including preferences, sensory observations, passive constructions, and the use of "would rather" and "would sooner."
Vocabulary and Contextual Understanding
The session concludes with a focus on vocabulary and contextual understanding. The speaker highlights the importance of recognizing specific phrases and collocations, such as "tell the difference" and "aroma of coffee." He also emphasizes the need to consider the overall meaning of the sentence to make informed choices about verb forms and vocabulary.
