Practise this grammar point with a scored quiz, sentence exercises and writing tasks—all with explanations or review guidance.
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Stop doing means end that activity. Stop to do means pause something else in order to do it. Remember doing recalls a past event; remember to do concerns a task you must not forget.
| Use | Example | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| An activity ends | She stopped talking. | The talking ended. |
| A pause for a purpose | She stopped to talk. | She paused another activity in order to talk. |
| Memory or task | I remember locking it. / Remember to lock it. | The first recalls a past action; the second gives a reminder. |
Check: Treating remember doing and remember to do as identical
Use: Check whether the action is a memory or a task
The verb pattern changes the time relationship and the message.
Read the example and explain the choice before answering. After the exercise, write a new sentence using the same pattern. Revisit any answer you could not explain, even if you guessed correctly.
4 sets · 40 exercises · about 50–70 minutes with writing and review.
10 scored questions, 20 sentence exercises and 10 writing challenges. Time depends on your pace. Start with the quiz or choose the practice you need.
Your scored quiz and self-reviewed exercises are tracked separately on this device.
Questions 1–5 build confidence; 6–10 check transfer and detail. Use Practice for feedback after each answer, or Test yourself to check at the end.
10 questions · 10 XP per correct answer · explanations included
I paused another activity to drink. The infinitive gives the purpose of stopping.
I recall the meeting. Remember + -ing recalls a past experience.
Do not forget the task. Remember + infinitive concerns a task to perform.
Experiment with that solution. Try + -ing can propose a possible solution.
He ended the habit. Stop + -ing means cease that activity.
She paused another activity in order to drink.. Stop plus to-infinitive introduces the purpose of a pause.
A memory of a completed action.. Remember plus -ing refers to remembering an earlier event.
Not forget a future action.. Remember plus to-infinitive concerns an action still needing to be done.
Testing a possible solution.. Try plus -ing commonly describes an experiment to see whether something helps.
She moved to the next action.. Go on plus to-infinitive introduces a subsequent action or stage.
Complete the missing words, then compare the expected form. More than one natural answer may be possible; use the cue and explanation.
to rest
I stopped to rest during the walk. (rest: purpose of a pause)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
smoking
He stopped smoking last year. (smoke: ended the habit)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
to send
Remember to send the form tomorrow. (send: future duty)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
sending
I remember sending it yesterday. (send: past memory)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
restarting
Try restarting the router to see whether it helps. (restart: experiment)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
to lift
I tried to lift the box, but it was too heavy. (lift: unsuccessful effort)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
talking
She went on talking about the same problem. (talk: continued activity)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
to describe
She went on to describe a different problem. (describe: next activity)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
telling
I regret telling him the secret. (tell: regret about a past act)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
to inform
We regret to inform you that the trip is cancelled. (inform: formal bad news)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
Complete the missing words, then compare the expected form. More than one natural answer may be possible; use the cue and explanation.
to lock
He forgot to lock the gate and had to return. (lock: missed duty)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
seeing
I will never forget seeing the mountains for the first time. (see: lasting memory)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
to bring
She remembered to bring her ticket. (bring: fulfilled duty)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
living
He remembers living beside the river as a child. (live: past memory)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
to check
We stopped to check the map. (check: purpose of stopping)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
crying
The baby stopped crying when the music began. (cry: ended activity)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
using
Try using a different pen; this one may be empty. (use: experiment)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
to reach
They tried to reach the village before dark but failed. (reach: effort)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
to explain
After introducing herself, she went on to explain the rules. (explain: next stage)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
working
He went on working despite the noise. (work: continued activity)
Some verbs change meaning with -ing versus a to-infinitive. Read the stated meaning before choosing the form.
Write an original answer for each task. Review the guidance to check your work. These are self-review tasks, not automatic grammar grading.
Your wording can vary.
Use stopped to eat for the purpose of the pause.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Use stopped eating and identify what activity ended.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Use remember to plus the future action.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Use remember plus -ing.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Use try plus -ing and explain the possible benefit.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Use tried to plus the attempted action and state the failure.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Use went on plus -ing.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Use went on to plus the next action.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Use forgot to do versus never forget doing.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Make clear which sentence ends an activity and which pauses for a purpose.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Print this lesson’s original questions with a separate answer key. Use the worksheet for another round without looking at the explanations.
Try these two tasks before opening the answers. They practise explanation and writing; they do not change your quiz score.
Does I tried to open the door prove that the door opened?
No. Tried to open describes an attempt, which may succeed or fail. I tried opening the window instead presents opening as an experiment or possible solution.
Write two short sentences showing the difference between stopping an activity and stopping for a purpose.
I stopped reading because I was tired. On my walk, I stopped to read a notice. The first ends reading; the second pauses walking in order to read.
Other wording may be correct. Compare the meaning and verb pattern, not just the words.
Organise verb patterns into useful groups.
Choose the time you have. These are suggested study plans, not timers.
Answer the ten-question quiz. Read the explanation for each mistake before trying again.
Take the scored quiz →30 MINComplete the warm-up, then sets 2 and 3. Compare your answers and correct the patterns you missed.
Open sentence practice →60 MINWork through all four sets. Spend the final part writing, comparing and improving your own sentences.
Explore all four sets →Open the question that matches where you got stuck.
Stop doing ends an activity: “I stopped checking my phone.” Stop to do pauses a different activity for a purpose: “I stopped to check my phone.” Ask what stopped, and what happened next.
Remember doing recalls an earlier experience: “I remember closing the window.” Remember to do means remembering a task and then doing it: “I remembered to close the window.” In a command, “Remember to close it” is a reminder.
Try doing presents an experiment or possible solution: “Try moving the router.” Try to do focuses on an attempt: “I tried to move the heavy desk.” The attempt may succeed or fail; to alone does not tell you the outcome.
Further reference: British Council: verb patterns and meaning. Padworth examples and activities are original.
A fresh set of 10 questions with explanations. Continue when you are ready.
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