§ 239. We usually find the infinitive as an object of a verb or adjective in a sentence pattern with it as a formal subject.

e.g. It annoyed me to hear him tell a lie.

It's not easy to live with someone you've injured.

It wouldn't be tactful to bring up the subject in his presence.

The ing-form can also be found as an object of an adjective in a sentence pattern with it as a formal subject in spoken English where it adds emotional colouring to the sentence.

e.g. Well, it isn't easy telling you all this.

It will be great having them at the party.

However, only the ing-form is used after the expressions to be worth and to come to.

e.g. If it came to losing him, would she suffer? It wasn't worth talking to him about it.

The Infinitive and the ing-form as Subjective Predicative

§ 240. As subjective predicative, the infinitive and the ing-form are lexically dependent (for the lists see "Verbs", §§ 192 and 221). Both verbals are found after the following verbs in the passive: to find, to hear, to leave, to report, to see, to show and to watch.

After to hear, to see and to watch the differentiation between the two verbals is based on their lexical character. Both verbals serve to express simultaneous actions. But with terminative verbs, the infinitive shows that the action is accomplished (a), whereas the ing-form denotes an unaccomplished action in its Progress (b).

e.g. a) The front door downstairs was heard to slam. He was seen to take the money.

b) The door was heard shutting.

He was last seen turning round the corner.

With durative verbs, the difference between the two verbals disappears and the choice of the form is free.

e.g. He had been heard to discuss the possibility.

He went out and was heard laughing in the hall.

After the verbs to find, to report and to show the difference be- tween the two verbals is of a peculiar character — with the verb to be the subjective predicative is always expressed by a simple infini- tive (a); with all other verbs, it is expressed by an ing-form (b).

e.g. a) A week later he was found to be out of danger.

The Senator was reported to be badly injured in the accident, b) The man was found crawling about.

About that time a hurricane was reported moving out of the Caribbean in our direction.

However, analytical forms of the infinitive may also be found with verbs other than to be.

e.g. She was found to have stolen the ring.

The building is reported to have been damaged in the air raid. He was reported to be preparing an account of the incident.

After the verb to leave the infinitive shows that the action follows that of the predicate verb (a) while the ing-form expresses a simultaneous action (b).

e.g. a) The matter will be left to lie.

If things are left to run their usual course, everything

will shape out by itself, b) Cliff and Helena were left looking at each other.

Some writers claim that in life stories are not finished, situa- tions are not rounded off, and loose ends are left hanging.

The Infinitive and the ing-form as Objective Predicative

§ 241. As objective predicatives the infinitive and the ing-form are lexically dependent (for the lists see "Verbs", §§ 193 and 222). Both verbals are found after the following verbs: to fancy, to feel, to find, to get, to hate, to have, to hear, to imagine, to (dis)like, to listen to, to notice, to see, to understand, to want and to watch.

After the verbs denoting physical perception, such as to feel, to hear, to listen to, to notice, to see and to watch, the choice between the infinitive and the ing-form is determined by their lexical character With terminative verbs, the infinitive expresses an accomplished ac- tion (a) and the ing-form an unaccomplished action in its progress (b)-

e.g. a) Nobody had noticed him come in. Nobody had seen him go upstairs.

b) He heard footsteps coming from the direction of the library.

a) Bridget heard Luke drive up. She came out on the steps to

meet him.

b) As I looked out at the garden I heard a motor-truck start-

ing on the road.

a) One night in late November I heard him make a remark

about his coming marriage.

b) I heard him saying the other day he could do with a few

more pounds a week.

With durative verbs, the difference in meaning between the two verbals disappears and the choice of the form is free.

e.g. a) I thought also that it would do him no harm to hear us

talk about his progress, b) I've never heard you talking like this about him.

1. I was watching the doctor work.

2. I noticed him working in the garden.

1. They listened to him talk about the picture.

2. I listened to them discussing it.

On the whole it should be pointed out that the ing-form is more common in this case. The infinitive, for example, would not be used in the following sentences:

e.g. I held her close against me and could feel her heart beating.

We saw the troops marching along the road. I looked in the door of the big room and saw the major sit- ting at his desk.

With the verbs to fancy, to find, to imagine and to under- stand, the difference lies in the lexical character of the objective predicative. With the verb to be, the objective predicative is al- ways an infinitive (a); with all other verbs, it is an ing-form (b).

e.g. a) They found him to be a bore.

b) When he arrived he found me reading Tom Jones.

1. I imagined him to be a bigger man.

2. I imagined her sitting by the fire-place, alone and in tears.

After the verbs to get, to hate, to have, to like and to want the choice between the infinitive and the ing-form is free. Yet, the in- finitive is much more common with to get and to want, whereas the ing-form is more common with to (dis)like and to hate.

e.g. a) He wanted us to go with him, but Jimmy refused. b) I didn't want any outsiders coming to the rehearsal.

1. I couldn't get him to leave.

2. She got all her guests going the moment she felt sleepy.

1. I like my oatmeal to have a salty taste.

2. I don't like anybody getting ideas where my wife is concerned.

The Infinitive and the ing-form as Attribute

§ 242. As attributes the infinitive and the ing-form overlap only when they have appositive meaning. They are both placed in post-position to their head-noun and are lexically dependent. (For the lists of nouns see "Verbs", §§ 204, 2 and 230.) Besides, the ing- form is always preceded by a preposition, usually of.

We may find either an infinitive or an ing-form after the fol- lowing nouns: action, attempt, capacity, chance, excuse, intention, motion, necessity, opportunity, possibility, power, precaution, right, sign and way. On the whole the choice between the two verbals af- ter these nouns is free.

e.g. a) I haven't had a chance to see my dog this morning.

b) The Careys had had a chance of welcoming their nephew.

1. He was trying to find a way to earn fifty pounds.

2. They were trying to find a way of talking directly to their

opponents.

1. I had no opportunity to speak to her.

2. I had no opportunity of doing so.

1. She only laughed and made no attempt to withdraw.

2. I made another attempt at going.

It should be mentioned that some of the nouns quoted above, for example, such an attempt, necessity, right, tend to be associated will an infinitive, whereas other nouns, for example, such as chance, in

tention, possibility, way, tend to be followed by an ing-form. The noun opportunity appears to be equally common with both forms.

The Infinitive and the ing-form as Attribute

in a Sentence Pattern with it as a Formal Subject § 243. In this function the infinitive and the ing-form are lexi- cally dependent. (For the lists of the nouns see §§ 206, 231.) The infinitive is the norm, the ing-form being a rare exception.

e.g. It was a pleasure to see him among us again. It is a hard job to clean the kitchen. It is no use deceiving ourselves.