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So I really like doing crafts.
So I started doing a painting by numbers, but I stopped doing it.
When I was much younger, I had lessons to try and learn to play the guitar.
But I didn't enjoy playing what we had in the lessons.
And I didn't get good at playing the things we had in the lessons.
Hello and welcome to Learning English Grammar.
I'm Beth.
And I'm Neil.
We've just heard Pippa and Phil talking about hobbies they enjoy but stop doing.
I think we all wish we could spend more time and effort doing things we love.
And that's what this episode is all about – things we enjoy, but especially things we'd like to spend more time on.
And for the grammar, we'll learn three uses of verbs that end in –ing like paintings, And here's some examples of verbs followed by to as well.
You can read along with this podcast using the transcript on our website, bbclearningenglish.com.
So Neil, are there any hobbies that you miss doing?
Yeah, I like running, but I haven't run for a while.
I hurt my ankle.
Oh dear.
So it's a bit difficult now, but I really like running.
Yeah, OK.
I really like swimming, but I don't do it as often as I should.
I really enjoy it, but I just don't go very often.
Yeah, get back to the pool, Beth.
And you get back running.
OK, I chatted with Pippa and Phil about their hobbies…
Earlier, we heard Pippa say she starts craft projects but often doesn't finish them.
Let's listen to more of the conversation.
As you listen, answer this.
What does Phil say he tried to learn to do when he was young?
Well, I have a bit of a habit of starting a project and not finishing it, so I really like doing crafts.
I want to start a project and finish it.
I think I need to join a class.
Maybe do you find that, Phil.
Yeah, with certain things.
I mean, I love listening to music, but I've never been able to play anything.
And when I was much younger, I had lessons to try and learn to play the guitar.
But I didn't enjoy playing what we had in the lessons.
And I didn't get good at playing the things we had in the lessons.
I miss like running around and playing and being like a child.
Well, like at university, socialising was very easy because everyone was together.
Whereas now, finding time is difficult.
Getting to where people are is difficult.
So Phil said he used to have lessons to learn to play the guitar.
But he also said he didn't enjoy playing the music in his class.
So learn to play – that's using the infinitive form with to – and enjoy playing – that's using the ing form of the verb play.
Yes, when we have two main verbs next to each other in English, it can be confusing to know when to use the infinitive and when to use the ing form.
But don't worry, our resident grammar guru, Georgie, can help with a handy list of do's and don'ts.
Hi guys!
Let's start by clearing up the difference between these kinds of verbs.
So when we have two main verbs next to each other in English, the second verb needs to be in the ING form, also known as a gerund.
For example, watching, working, eating.
Or in the infinitive form with to.
For example, to watch, to work, to eat.
So, Georgie, how do learners know which verb form to use?
Well, this, Beth, is really difficult because there's no strict rule.
Some verbs need to be followed by the ing form and some verbs need to be followed by to with the infinitive.
And you kind of just have to learn them.
So, there are some verbs that must always be followed by the infinitive with to.
Examples of these are want, need, learn, decide, offer and hope.
So you can't say I hope winning the competition.
It sounds weird.
You have to say I hope to win the competition.
OK, and which verbs can be followed by ing?
Well, the verbs miss and enjoy are two examples we heard earlier.
Pippa said she misses running around and playing.
And Phil said he didn't enjoy playing the music in his guitar lessons.
They need to be followed by a verb in the ing form.
And other examples include suggest, avoid and fancy.
Right, I fancy teaching you about other ing forms now.
I have a bit of a habit of starting a project and not finishing it.
OK, we just heard the verb starting in the ING form, but it came after the word of.
So what's going on there?
Right.
If we have a preposition and then a verb, the verb must be in the ING form.
Pippa said she has a habit of starting a project.
Of is a preposition.
We also heard Phil say this. and I didn't get good at playing the things we had in the lessons.
So we had the preposition at followed by playing.
He wasn't good at playing the music in class.
And this rule is the same for phrasal verbs.
So a phrasal verb is a verb and usually a preposition together, like wake up, get on, give up.
Because Phil didn't enjoy his classes, he gave up playing the guitar.
Give up is a phrasal verb, so the next verb has to be in the ing form.
We also heard Phil say that at university socialising was easy and that now finding time is difficult.
Why are socialising and finding in the ING form here?
Good question.
Well, when a verb is the subject of a sentence, it needs to be in the ING form.
Or finishing crafts is something Pippa wants to start doing.
So let's recap.
Use to and the infinitive after verbs like want, need and learn.
Use the ing form after verbs like enjoy and miss.
Also use an ing form after a preposition, including phrasal verbs, and use an ing form if the verb is the subject of the sentence.
Wow, using verbs just got much easier.
Thanks, Georgie.
No problem.
See you next time.
Bye.
OK, let's play a game to practice what we've learnt.
So Neil, I'm going to start a sentence and you need to finish it with a verb in the ing form or the infinitive with to.
See if you can finish the sentence before Neil.
Are you ready?
I sure am.
I'm so hungry, I want... To eat a big bag of chips.
You're making me hungry.
OK, next one.
In the morning, I really enjoy... Going to work.
Really?
Yeah.
OK, good.
I miss... Don't cry.
OK.
What hobbies do you enjoy doing but you don't do enough of?
Let us know by emailing us at learningenglish at bbc.co.uk.
That's it for this episode.
I've learnt that Phil didn't enjoy playing the music in his guitar lessons.
And I've learnt that you miss running.
You need to start again when your ankle's better.
I really do.
We'll be back next week to learn some more grammar tips.
In the meantime, you can test what you've learned in this episode with the worksheet on our website.
And we spoke a bit about phrasal verbs.
We have a whole series on them.
Look for Phrasal Verbs with Georgie, our grammar guru, on our website bbclearningenglishcom.
Goodbye for now.
Bye.
At the BBC, we go further so you see clearer.
With a subscription to BBCcom, you get unlimited articles and videos, hundreds of ad-free podcasts and the BBC News Channel streaming live 24-7.
From less than a dollar a week for your first year.
Read, watch and listen to trusted independent journalism and storytelling.
It all starts with a subscription to BBC.com.
Find out more at bbc.com slash unlimited.
