Common Mistakes in English (Part -2)

Common Mistakes in English (Part -2)

1.Mind ( = to object) + gerund

Incorrect : Would you mind to close the door?

Correct : Would you mind closing the door?

2.Practice + gerund            

Incorrect : You should practice to speak English.             

Correct : You should practice speaking English.

3.Remember + gerund    

Incorrect : I don't remember to post the letter.

Correct : I don't remember posting the letter.

Or

I don't remember having posted the letter.

Note: These sentences mean that I don't remember that I posted the letter. But when we mean, "I won't forget to post the letter", we can say: I will remember to post the letter.

4.Risk + gerund

Incorrect : We can't risk to leave her alone in the house.

Correct : We can't risk leaving her alone in the house.

 5.Stop/Give up + gerund

Incorrect : The wind stopped to blow.

Correct : The wind stopped blowing.

Incorrect : He gave up to smoke.

Correct : He gave up smoking.

Note: "He stopped smoking" means that he stopped the act of smoking. But when we mean to say that he stopped doing another thing in order to smoke, it is possible to say:  He stopped to smoke.

Here the infinitive indicates a purpose. However, the verb 'cease' may be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund. For example:   She ceased to play the piano.

She ceased playing the piano.