use of verb tense

[Cristovam]

6 Listened

Hi guys, I need your aids. Pay attention for the sentence ahead: How can I identify that I must use the verb in infinitive form or to use the verb plus ing, like the following sentence: "How are you close to completing the paperwork? Please, help me because I am very bad about it. Thanks.

[Cerberus™]

In general, there is no easy way to know which one to pick - infinitive or gerund; even native speakers pick the wrong one occasionally. There are some rules of thumb you could follow, though:
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/infinitive-gerund

[Alan]

Hi Cristovam,

This question needs a bit of attention:

Hi guys, I need your HELP (Pay attention for the sentence ahead) TAKE A LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE: How can I (identify that) WORK OUT WHETHER TO USE (I must use) the verb in THE infinitive (form) or to use the verb (plus) with 'ing, AS IN (like) the following sentence: "How CLOSE are you (close) to completing the paperwork? Please, Help me because I am (very bad about it) NOT VERY GOOD AT IT. Thanks.

There is only one possibility here - 'how close are you to/how near are you to + finishing? 'Finishing' becomes the object of the preposition 'to'. 'Close to finish' wouldn't make sense.

Alan
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