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Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #109392: Doing, Do, To do...
Doing, Do, To do...
Experience has taught me that it's quite difficult for students to make a difference and to know when to use the gerund, the infinitive, and the present participle. I do hope this lesson will help you!
1) 'DOING' => 'Verb + ing' = Present Participle:
The present participle is mainly used to build - ing forms. It indicates an action in progress, which is, or was, taking place in the present. It can be used alone but can also express a cause.
ex : Paul was working (1) in the garden when he saw his friend entering (2) the house.
(1) = ( preterite in - ing) - (2) =(action in progress, following a verb of involontary perception).
- when used like an adjective, it has an active meaning : the person is doing the action.'
ex : After hearing such a boring lecture, it was comforting to hear Steve's speech... It was so interesting !
2) THE ACTION of DOING= an Infinitive in French:
Doing, swimming, singing = the fact of doing, of swimming, of singing... = Here, the French infinitive must be turned into a GERUND, a kind of verbal noun. It corresponds to a noun when current activities are concerned.
(Swimming, reading, horse riding, cooking...)
The gerund can be a subject, a predicate, or object complement. It can also be following a preposition.
ex : Walking is much better for your health than driving.
ex : Do you like horse riding? I've never practised it.
ex : Don't go without leaving your name and phone number.
3) TO DO; SO AS TO DO; IN ORDER TO DO= Expressing an aim:
As a whole, 'in order to + infinitive' = TO + INFINITIVE ; in a little more formal style SO AS TO ... or IN ORDER TO are also used...
ex : In order to be fit, you should exercise a little every day...
BEWARE! In the negative form: take care of the right order: not to..., so as not to..., in order not to ...
Well well! I hope you'll be quite careful... Here's the test! Go for it!
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