B1 Intermediate Verb patterns, future forms, reflexives
Verbs with a change of meaning
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can tell apart the meanings of stop, remember, forget, try, regret with to-V and with V-ing.
When to use it
- Saying whether you gave something up or stopped in order to do something else.
- Reminding someone of a task, or recalling a past event.
- A favourite exam point, because the meaning flips completely.
Form
| Verb | + to + verb | + verb-ing |
|---|---|---|
| stop | stop in order to do something else | give up what you were doing |
| remember | remember you have to do it (a future task) | remember that you did it |
| forget | forget you have to do it | forget that you did it |
| try | make an effort to do something difficult | try something to see if it works |
| regret | be sorry to tell (what you are about to say) | be sorry that you did it |
Step by step
- Ask: has the second action already happened or is it still ahead?
- Already happened → V-ing.
- Still ahead, forward-looking → to + verb.
- With stop: to-V means you stop in order to do something new; V-ing means you end the old activity.
Four sentences side by side
| Sentence |
|---|
| He stopped smoking. |
| He stopped to smoke. |
| Remember to post the letter. |
| I remember posting the letter. |
Examples
He stopped smoking last year.
We stopped to buy some petrol.
Remember to lock the door when you leave.
I remember meeting her at the party.
I'll never forget seeing Ha Long Bay for the first time.
I regret to tell you that you did not pass.
Common mistakes
He stopped to smoke last year. → He stopped smoking last year.
stopped to smoke means he paused in order to smoke — the opposite of quitting.
I remember to lock the door last night. → I remember locking the door last night.
The action already happened → V-ing. remember to lock is only for a task ahead.
Don't forget posting the letter tomorrow. → Don't forget to post the letter tomorrow.
Reminding about a future task → to + verb.
Memory tip
One general pattern: to + verb looks forward (not yet done), V-ing looks back (already done). Remember the direction and the choice follows.
Summary
- stop + V-ing = give up · stop + to V = pause in order to.
- remember / forget + to V = a task ahead · + V-ing = a past event.
- try + to V = make an effort · try + V-ing = experiment with a method.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.