infinitive or ing form

[Richard Togher]

Q1

A) "This needs TO BE MENDED"

B) "This needs MENDING"

The 'Cassell Guide to Common Errors in English' insists A) is correct, B) is incorrect

Why is one form better than the other?

Q2

"As is/with/in the case stated previously"

Which of the 3 words above should follow 'As' ?

[oishii]

Hello Richard Togher,

It seems that though both sentences may sound acceptable, apparently, there is a rule that governs when an infinitive v.s. a gerund may be used in the object position in a sentence. It is as follows:


Sometimes the present participle may be used as a noun, as in the sentence Cooking is fun. When used as a noun, the present participle is also called a gerund. The gerund can occur after some, but not all, verbs as the object: I like cooking. Likewise, a verb infinitive may sometimes be used in the object position: I like to cook. The verb like, used in these examples, allows both the gerund and the infinitive in the object spot. However, not all verbs allow both forms. Below are listed some verbs which may be followed by only one form or the other, not both:

Infinitive only:
ask, decide, expect, hope, intend, pretend, refuse, learn, forget, need, plan, afford, seem, attempt

Gerund only:
avoid, consider, deny, enjoy, stoop, regret, keep, mind, finish, imagine, delay, practice, involve, miss



I would not have expected ‘need’ to be so limited in its use and perhaps in colloquial usage, it is acceptable to use it in both forms (infinitive, gerund) in object position, but this rule seems to exist and this may be the reason why the Cassell Guide prefers (A) to (B).


"As is/with/in the case stated previously"

Which of the 3 words above should follow 'As' ?


You can certainly use any of those constructions (As is, as with, as in). I think the choice depends upon the statement you intend to make.

For example, if the reference is to the state of something, 'as is' would probably be best. However, if you are referring to the use of something, for example, 'as with' would probably be best in that instance. And, of course, if you are noting that the person should look within a body of information (or information set out within a particular case), then "as in" would perhaps be the most suitable choice.

I don't think most people would fault you if you chose one over the other.

.

[Mister Micawber]

.
A) "This needs TO BE MENDED"
B) "This needs MENDING"
There is nothing wrong with B, Richard, except that it is more common in BrE.
.