ESL Blogs

My friends, I’ve decided to post this blog to explain some places in my last tests. Let’s start with TO BE SORRY. I think you all know that TO BE SORRY can be followed either by the gerund or by the infinitive. However, meaning of a phrase will be different.

1. If we use the simple form of the infinitive, it means that we are about to do something.
2. If we use the gerund, it means that we are doing it or have already done it.
3. If we use the perfect form of the infinitive, it means that we have already done it.

For example:

I am sorry to interrupt you (I am about to interrupt someone and excuse myself in advance).

I am sorry for interrupting you (I have already interrupted and started expressing my mind).

I am sorry to have interrupted you (Most probably I have already expressed my mind).

Here is one more example.  Let’s imagine some insurance claim:

Opening :
I am sorry to disappoint you, but I do not agree with your claim. Let me explain.

Middle (after some debate):
I am sorry for disappointing you, but as I have explained, I do not accept that you have suffered any loss.

Ending (when the debate was over):
I am sorry to have disappointed you, but I am sure that you understand my reasons.

In most of case, there is almost no difference between 2 and 3.

I am sorry for forgetting about your birthday.

I am sorry to have forgotten about your birthday.

Both sentences are correct and mean the same. However, we can’t use the simple form of the infinitive in this sentence as I have already forgotten about the birthday.

Now, let’s consider usage of TO TRY with the gerund and the infinitive.

1. If this verb is followed by the infinitive, it means the attempt doomed from the start or failed.
2. If this verb is followed by the gerund, it means the attempt may be successful.

For example:

I am trying to teach you (I mean it is almost hopeless, hahaha!)

I am trying teaching you (I mean you may learn something from my tests and explanations).

I’d also like to give some explanations about TILL/UNTIL/UNTIL AFTER.

In fact, TILL and UNTIL are the same. TILL is a shortened informal form for UNTIL. They both mean UP TO some moment. However, we use them differently in the sentences.

TILL is mostly followed by a noun phrase.

I worked from 9 am till 6 pm.

She waited for me till midnight.

UNTIL may be followed by a noun phrase or a clause. It is a time clause, so we don’t use the future tenses in it.

I had been reading until I went to sleep.

I'll stay here until you come back.
We have to wait until he arrives.

As you see, all my examples are affirmative. So, I’d like to pay your special attention to meaning of UNTIL in the negative sentences. If the main clause is negative, UNTIL means NOT BEFORE. Please, pay attention to the tenses.

We couldn’t start making laundry until the washing machine had been fixed.

He didn’t offer us the drinks until we had finished eating.

I can’t read the newspaper until I find my glasses.

She will not start cooking until I return.

Now, about UNTIL AFTER. It is used after the negative main clause and is almost the same as UNTIL. It means ONLY AFTER. It starts a time clause, where we don’t use the future tenses.

She couldn’t find the classroom until after class had begun (She found the classroom after the beginning of the lecture).

She didn’t agree to marry me until after I had changed (But she agreed after I had changed).

Don’t start doing it until after I call (You should start doing it after my call).

And now, I am ready to answer your questions and will be just happy to see your examples.