oxford_guide_to_english_grammar
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15 THE GERUND PAGE 164<br />

b But sometimes the <strong>to</strong>-infinitive has a different meaning from the preposition +<br />

gerund. Details are in the notes below.<br />

NOTE<br />

a Agree with means <strong>to</strong> think that something is right, but agree <strong>to</strong> means <strong>to</strong> make a decision.<br />

I don't agree with cutting down trees. I think it's wrong.<br />

We all agreed <strong>to</strong> meet the next day.<br />

b We use tell... about and remind... of <strong>to</strong> report statements and thoughts.<br />

I <strong>to</strong>ld you about losing my credit card, didn't I?<br />

This reminds me of climbing Ben Nevis years ago.<br />

But tell/remind someone <strong>to</strong> do something reports an order or reminder.<br />

I <strong>to</strong>ld you <strong>to</strong> keep that card safe.<br />

Why didn't you remind me <strong>to</strong> bring a compass?<br />

c Keen on/interested in usually means a general interest, but keen <strong>to</strong>/interested <strong>to</strong> means a<br />

wish <strong>to</strong> do a particular thing.<br />

Simon is keen on cycling/interested in cycling. He does quite a lot of it.<br />

Simon is keen <strong>to</strong> go on the trip. He's never cycled in Scandinavia before.<br />

Simon was interested <strong>to</strong> hear about your cycle <strong>to</strong>ur.<br />

d Happy about and pleased about express pleasure. We can also use a <strong>to</strong>-infinitive.<br />

Sam was pleased about winning/pleased <strong>to</strong> win a prize.<br />

Happy <strong>to</strong> and pleased <strong>to</strong> are also often used in polite statements.<br />

I'm pleased <strong>to</strong> meet you. We shall be pleased <strong>to</strong> accept your offer.<br />

e Afraid <strong>to</strong> can only express unwillingness caused by fear. Afraid of can have the same<br />

meaning, or it can express fear about what might happen.<br />

Many old people are afraid <strong>to</strong> cross/afraid of crossing the road in case they have an<br />

accident.<br />

Many old people are afraid of having an accident when they cross the road.<br />

NOT afraid <strong>to</strong> have an accident<br />

f Anxious <strong>to</strong> means 'wanting <strong>to</strong>', but anxious about means 'worried about'.<br />

I'm anxious <strong>to</strong> get this business settled quickly.<br />

Rodney was anxious about making a mistake.<br />

g Ashamed of expresses shame about something. Ashamed <strong>to</strong> expresses unwillingness<br />

caused by shame.<br />

I do feel rather ashamed of having <strong>to</strong>ld Lucy a lie.<br />

I don't think Rex can afford <strong>to</strong> pay us back, but I expect he's ashamed <strong>to</strong> admit it.<br />

h Sorry about/for or sorry <strong>to</strong> have done expresses an apology for an earlier action. Sorry with a<br />

simple <strong>to</strong>-infinitive expresses an apology for a present action.<br />

I'm sorry for causing/sorry <strong>to</strong> have caused all that trouble yesterday.<br />

Sorry <strong>to</strong> disturb you, but can I have a word?<br />

We also use sorry with a simple <strong>to</strong>-infinitive <strong>to</strong> express regret about what we say or hear.<br />

I'm sorry <strong>to</strong> have <strong>to</strong> say this, but your work is far from satisfac<strong>to</strong>ry.<br />

I was sorry <strong>to</strong> hear your bad news.<br />

6 To do or <strong>to</strong> doing?<br />

To can be part of a <strong>to</strong>-infinitive, or it can be a preposition.<br />

I hope <strong>to</strong> see you soon. (hope + <strong>to</strong>-infinitive)<br />

I look forward <strong>to</strong> seeing you soon. (look forward <strong>to</strong> + gerund)<br />

We can also put a noun phrase after the preposition <strong>to</strong>.<br />

I look forward <strong>to</strong> next weekend.<br />

We can use a gerund (but not an infinitive) with the verbs admit <strong>to</strong>, confess <strong>to</strong>, face<br />

up <strong>to</strong>, look forward <strong>to</strong>, object <strong>to</strong>, prefer ...<strong>to</strong>, resort <strong>to</strong>, take <strong>to</strong>; the adjectives<br />

accus<strong>to</strong>med <strong>to</strong>, close <strong>to</strong>, opposed <strong>to</strong>, resigned <strong>to</strong>, used <strong>to</strong>; and the preposition in<br />

addition <strong>to</strong>.<br />

NOTE For used <strong>to</strong> do and used <strong>to</strong> doing, • 100(2c).

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