Where do we use "to" and where "ing" form of verb?

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aachu

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I have a confusion using "to" and the "ing" form of the verb. If any one could kindly clarify there usage in sentences like:

Don't forget to post these letters.
Don't forget posting these letters.

similarly,

That was a great match. I'll never forget seeing Rivaldo score that goal.
That was a great match. I'll never forget to see Rivaldo score that goal.

Thank you in anticipation.
 

5jj

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Don't forget to post these letters. :tick:= Remermber that you must/want to post these letters.
Don't forget posting these letters.? = Always remember that you posted these letters (a very unlikely sentence).

That was a great match. I'll never forget seeing Rivaldo score that goal. :tick:
That was a great match. I'll never forget to see Rivaldo score that goal. X
If you remember/don't forget to do something, what you do happens after you remember/don't forget.
If you remember/don't forget doing something, what you did happened before you remember/don't forget
 

aachu

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I got it sir. Thank you very much.
 

mfyates

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In the exercise in my website "EnglishXtra" there is a sheet which you can print out which gives a list of verbs taking only the gerund, those taking only the infinitive and those which can take either.
Be careful, some of the latter have different meanings e.g.

Did you remember to buy the bread? (as distinct from forgetting to do it)
and
Do you remember meeting me at the conference last year? (recollection of an event)

Verbs like this are underlined.

I can not put the link to this exercise on this site but if you Google "englishxtra" you should get to the site. Click on "quickstart"
Click on Level 7 unit 1 - Gerunds & infinitives
Click on activity 1 Infinitive or gerund.

This exercise uses quite complicated language. A simpler one will be found at

Level 3 - Chapter 10 - Gerund or infinitive.

You can use the website to revise all kinds of grammar and many other aspects of the language and its free:


Regards
Mark Yates
 
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