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ESL forum > Grammar and Linguistics > Could anybody help me again?    

Could anybody help me again?



jocel
Philippines

Could anybody help me again?
 
Dear Colleagues,
 
I encounter this sentence and I wonder why the -ing is placed here. Also I want to know how it funtions. The sentence goes this way:
 
Art was trying to fix his car because it got broken. He is fixing it himself because because he can �t afford paying for a mechanic.
 
I think the sentence is grammatically incorrect  and wonder why -ing verb is used here. Isn´t it supposed to use ´to-infinitive´?  Could anybody help me please...?
 
Thanks in advance!
 
 
Best Regards,
 
jocel Hug

13 Oct 2011      





Redbull
Thailand

Art is going to fix his car because it �s broken down. He is fixing the car himself because he can �t afford to pay for a mechanic.

REDBULL GIVES YOU WINGS YOU KNOWWink.

13 Oct 2011     



mr515
Indonesia

...Well...guess it �s a gerund...  when you put two verbs in a sentence,  it goes that the second verb must be "pushed"  becoming  a Noun... by adding an- Ing at the end of it, and also, because the action is now, it �s better to put Pay + ing than to + Pay...Tongue

13 Oct 2011     



cagreis
Portugal

I think this helps

When to use the infinitive

The infinitive form is used after certain verbs:
- forget, help, learn, teach, train
- choose, expect, hope, need, offer, want, would like
- agree, encourage, pretend, promise
- allow, can/can �t afford, decide, manage, mean, refuse

  • I forgot to close the window.
  • Mary needs to leave early.
  • Why are they encouraged to learn English?
  • We can �t afford to take a long holiday.

13 Oct 2011     



jeanet barriga
Chile

I agree it�s a gerund phrase, anyways don�t try to analize or translate sentences in order to make a sense in spanish, sometimes you just have to learn the usage not the meaning

13 Oct 2011     



Olindalima ( F )
Portugal

Hi

It �s a gerund used as a noun, just like the following examples:

I love swimming
I hate reading.
Listening to music is rather relaxing.
I can �t stand working all these hours.
I can �t afford studying at the university.

my opinion, as a native of Portuguese language ( ! )Big smile

Linda

13 Oct 2011     



chalii
Pakistan

another reason of adding -ing form is, there are certain verbs when they come immediately after a first verb they  take -ing form.
some of them are

enjoy, keep, delay,accept, appreciate, admire etc

13 Oct 2011     



MoodyMoody
United States

There are a few problems with the sentences. One is that the tense changes. The first sentence uses the past progressive/continuous followed by a simple past. By itself, there �s nothing wrong with the first sentence. However, in the second sentence, the tense changes to present progressive/continuous. Choose one tense and stick to it. The timing doesn �t change. There �s nothing wrong with using -ing in either sentence as long as you �re consistent with past/present.
 
And Redbull �s correction of the gerund is exactly right for the reason that cagreis mentioned: if you follow afford with another verb, it must be the infinitive rather than a gerund. If afford is followed by a noun, to is not required. It �s just one of the quirks of English.

13 Oct 2011     



jocel
Philippines

Thanks a lot dear colleagues!
 
I also checked other reliable sites, I found  out that there are some verb needed to use a gerund. However, I appreciate your effort so much!   Hug
 
Redbull - you �re right, redbull gives me wings LOL
 
mr515 and jeanet barriga - thanks for the thought provoking information Big smile
 
cagreis and chalii - the list of verbs are very helpful Clap
 
Olindalima ( F ) - thanks for sharing some grammar rules in Portuguese Wink
 
MoodyMoody - you explained it very well. Now I �m 100% clear Thumbs Up
 
 
 

14 Oct 2011