Gerund vs. infinitive (demand)

[rehanna]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #117 "Past Tenses", question 10

He came into the room and demanded ......... what was happening.

(a) to know
(b) knowing
(c) know
(d) having known

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #117 "Past Tenses", answer 10

He came into the room and demanded to know what was happening.

Correct answer: (a) to know

Your answer was: incorrect
He came into the room and demanded knowing what was happening.
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hi
why its not knowing?

[Alan]

Hi,

Knowing is the participle (present) from the verb know and would be used in continuous tenses and also as a gerund.

Let me take the verb begin as an example. This verb can be followed by an infinitive or gerund (ing form).

He began to speak. (infinitive)

He began speaking. (gerund)

The verb demand is followed by the infinitive only.

He demanded to know.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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