This post is divided into three parts: Grammar Builder, Idioms and Recommended Reading.

​I. GRAMMAR BUILDER

Competence in grammar is important for clear and appropriate communication, and it conveys a professional image of ourselves and of the companies or organisations we represent.
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​Verbs with infinitives and gerunds
We often use a verb directly after another verb to show our attitude to an action.
The infinitive comes from the base form of the verb, and can be used after to (He wants to read the sports results in the newspaper) or without to, (She lets us use a company car whenever we like).

To create a gerund, add -ing to the base form (I prefer reading to watching films).
​Gerunds are formed in the same way as present participles of verbs, but they are used as nouns.(Smoking is bad for your health).

1. Verbs + to-infinitives only

These verbs include: arrange, decide, expect, deserve, hope, learn, manage, offer, plan, pretend.

Examples:  I’ll arrange to have the meeting postponed until Friday.
                       They’re hoping to get the contract signed tomorrow.
                       She said she’d manage to finish the report by midday.

2. Verbs + gerunds only

These verbs include: avoid, carry on, delay, finish, involve, justify, mind, suggest.

Example:   We must avoid getting stuck in the rush hour.
                      ​Frequently made mistake(s): We must avoid to get stuck in the rush hour.

3. Verbs + infinitives or gerunds

Some verbs can be followed either by infinitives or gerunds, with or without changes in meaning.
With the verbs love, like, hate, prefer there is little difference in meaning.

Example: John likes to play (or likes playing) golf on Sundays, but I prefer to go (or prefer going) to the beach.

With the verbs remember, forget, regret, try, stop, mean, need, there is a difference in meaning.

Example:    You must remember to call the travel agent before you go home.
                        I remember meeting you last year at the conference.

When the remembering happens before the action, use the to-infinitive, and when it happens after the action, use the gerund.

For a more detailed study of the structures used in this third category, you need to consult a good grammar book.

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II. IDIOMS
An idiom is a group of words in a fixed order whose meaning is different from the meanings of each individual word. Idioms are often colloquial expressions, but can also be used in formal style, in poetry, in Shakespeare and even in the Bible.

The word "Point"
The word point is used in a large number of expressions as a noun or as a verb. Here are three expressions using the word as a noun.

1. up to a (certain) point - partly, or to a limited degree

Example: There’s some truth in what he says, but only up to a point.
Suggested translation into French: jusqu'à un certain point (or) dans une certaine mesure.

2. point taken - used to say you accept what somebody has said, possibly after disagreeing with them.
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Example: Point taken. Now let’s drop the subject.
Suggested translation into French: D’accord, je te le concede.

3. make a point of doing something - make sure you do something because you think it’s important.

​Example: He always makes a point of remembering his children’s birthdays.
Suggested translation into French: ne pas manquer de faire quelque chose.

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III. RECOMMENDED READING (for lovers of Shakespeare).

“Shakespeare's skill was in his grammar not his language”, academic claims
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/9050020/Shakespeares-skill-was-in-his-grammar-not-his-language-academic-claims.html
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​Note: This post was first published on Linkedin on 21 June 2014.
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