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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > Could anybody help me again?
Could anybody help me again?
jocel
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Could anybody help me again?
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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 |
13 Oct 2011
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Redbull
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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 KNOW.
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13 Oct 2011
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mr515
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...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...
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13 Oct 2011
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cagreis
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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.
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13 Oct 2011
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jeanet barriga
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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
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Olindalima ( F )
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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 ( ! )
Linda
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13 Oct 2011
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chalii
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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
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MoodyMoody
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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
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jocel
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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!
Redbull - you �re right, redbull gives me wings
mr515 and jeanet barriga - thanks for the thought provoking information
cagreis and chalii - the list of verbs are very helpful
Olindalima ( F ) - thanks for sharing some grammar rules in Portuguese
MoodyMoody - you explained it very well. Now I �m 100% clear
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14 Oct 2011
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