These two verbs have different meanings depending on whether they are
followed by a GERUND or
an INFINITIVE.
Even very advanced English learners sometimes make mistakes with these verbs! Take a look at these examples with the verb FORGET: 1. I forgot posting the
birthday card to my mother so I was surprised when she called me to say thank
you.
2. I forgot to post the
birthday card to my mother so I apologised on the telephone when I called to
wish her Happy Birthday.
In sentence 1, with FORGOT + GERUND,
the actions happened in this order: First, I posted the birthday
card but then second, I forgot that I had done it. So my mother
received the card because I had posted it.
In sentence 2, with FORGOT +
INFINITIVE the actions happened in this order: First, I
forgot and second, I did not post the birthday card. So
mother did not receive it on her birthday.
The verb REMEMBER has the same grammar, as you can see here:
3. I remember telling him
about the meeting, so I am surprised that he did not attend.
4. I’m glad I remembered to
tell him about the meeting because it was important for
him to attend.
In sentence 3, with REMEMBER + GERUND,
it happened in this order: First, I told him about the meeting and
then second, I remembered that I had done it.
In sentence 4, with REMEMBER +
INFINITIVE, the order was as follows:
First I
remembered and second, I told him about the meeting.
So this is the grammar rule:
REMEMBER/FORGET + GERUND means THE GERUND
ACTION HAPPENS FIRST.
REMEMBER/FORGET + INFINITIVE means THE
INFINTIVE ACTION HAPPENS SECOND.
QUIZ on
how to use REMEMBER and FORGET with GERUND or INFINITIVE forms:
Choose the correct answer:
1. I forgot _______ the window so that's how the cat
got into the house.
a) close b) closing c) to close
2. Did you remember _______ any milk when you were at
the shops earlier?
a) buy b) to
buy c) buying
3. I'll never forget _______ that city. It was so
beautiful.
a) visit b) to
visit b) visiting
4. It's very important not to forget _______ the
lights when you leave the building.
a) to turn off
b) turning off c) turn off
5. It was a dark night. I remember 1. _______
at the sky and there was no moon. Unfortunately, I did not remember 2. _______
my torch so I couldn't see the road in front of me..
a) 1. to look, 1. looking b) 2. to use, 2. Using
6. He never remembers 1. _______
his mother a birthday card. It has been so long since he did it that she can't
remember ever 2._______ one from him.
a) 1. sending, 2.
to receive b) 1. to send, 2.
Receiving
7. I thought I had lost the letter but instead I must
have forgotten _______ it , because she received it today.
a) to post
b) post c) posting
8. I often forget 1. _______
people something and then they say I am repeating myself, as they have heard it
before. I usually remember 2. _______ that I am repeating
myself though!
1. telling 1.
to tell 2. to be told 2. being told
9. Oh no! I forgot _______ my phone so now the battery
has run out.
a) charge b)
charging c) to charge
10. I remember 1. _______ him but
I forgot 2. _______ his name. So could you please
introduce us again?
2. to ask 1.
to meet 1. Meeting 2. asking
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