Remember to Do or Remember Doing?
Most verbs take only one form after them: want to, enjoy -ing. With like, love and start, both forms mean almost the same. Remember, forget, stop and try take both forms too, but the meaning changes.
REMEMBER + TOA job still to do
First you remember, then you lock it.
Remember to lock the door.
REMEMBER + -INGA memory of something done
First you lock it, then you remember.
I remember locking the door.
With remember, forget, stop and try, the form after the verb changes the meaning.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Did you remember blank the cat this morning?"
The forms
REMEMBER / FORGET + TO
Sremember / forgetto V
Don't forget to call your grandma tonight.
A job still to do.
REMEMBER / FORGET + -ING
Sremember / forgetV-ing
I'll never forget seeing the sea for the first time.
A memory. Forget + -ing usually comes with never.
STOP + -ING
SstopV-ing
I've stopped drinking coffee after 4 p.m.
You don't do it any more.
STOP + TO
Sstopto V
On the way to Đà Lạt, we stopped to buy strawberries.
You stop one thing so you can do another.
remember to lock = you will lock it · remember locking = you locked it
TRY IT
- Question 1
"We drove for three hours, then stopped blank lunch."
When to use them
Before a trip
Remember to text me when you get there.
A parent says goodbye at the bus station.
Old memories
I still remember meeting my best friend on the first day of school.
Telling friends a story from years ago.
On a road trip
We stopped to take photos at Hải Vân Pass.
Describing a motorbike trip to Huế.
Try to Do or Try Doing?
Try to means make an effort: the action is hard. Try + -ing means test an idea: the action is easy, but will it work?
| TRY + TO | TRY + -ING | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | make an effort | test an idea |
| Example | I tried to open the window, but it was stuck. | If the app doesn't work, try deleting it and installing it again. |
TRY IT
- Question 1
"The soup is a bit boring. Try blank some lime juice."
Common mistakes
Incorrect:I stopped to smoke last year.
Correct:I stopped smoking last year.
Stopped to smoke means you stopped so you could smoke.
Incorrect:We stopped buying some water at a petrol station.
Correct:We stopped to buy some water at a petrol station.
You stopped the car to buy water.
Incorrect:Remember closing the windows when you leave.
Correct:Remember to close the windows when you leave.
This is a job still to do. Use to.
Incorrect:Sorry, I forgot bringing your book.
Correct:Sorry, I forgot to bring your book.
You forgot a job, so forget to.
Incorrect:I still remember to visit Huế with my grandparents when I was ten.
Correct:I still remember visiting Huế with my grandparents when I was ten.
A memory from childhood takes -ing.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct form:
Please remember to wear your seat belt.
- A. to wear — Correct
- B. wearing
Answer: A. to wear
The seat belt is not on yet. Use to wear.
Choose the correct form:
I clearly remember putting my keys on the table. So where are they?
- A. putting — Correct
- B. to put
Answer: A. putting
The keys went on the table first. Now you remember it.
Choose the correct form:
Ngọc stopped eating fast food because she wanted to lose weight.
- A. eating — Correct
- B. to eat
Answer: A. eating
Stopped to eat means she stopped something else to go and eat.
Choose the correct form:
Halfway up the mountain, we stopped to have a rest.
- A. to have — Correct
- B. having
Answer: A. to have
Stop + to: you stop one thing so you can do another.
You suggest an idea for a friend to test. Choose the correct form:
Can't sleep? Try taking a warm shower before bed and see if it helps.
- A. taking — Correct
- B. to take
Answer: A. taking
A shower is easy. The question is whether it helps.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 14 questions