regret -ing vs regret to — past sorrow vs present announcement (GiU Additional 53-66)
The frame
Section titled “The frame”I wish I’d taken your advice. I regret not taking your advice. ✓
Wish-past = regret about past inaction → regret + -ing (negative form: not taking).
The split
Section titled “The split”| regret + -ing | regret + to | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | sorry about a past action (or not doing it) | formal announcement of bad news |
| Time | past event | present/future, stiff register |
| Example | I regret telling her / not taking your advice | I regret to inform you that… |
remember/forget family — same -ing = past, to = future
Section titled “remember/forget family — same -ing = past, to = future”| verb + -ing | verb + to |
|---|---|
| remember doing = recall the past deed | remember to do = don’t forget the future duty |
| forget doing = can’t recall | forget to do = failed to do |
| regret doing = sorry about past | regret to say = formal |
Time anchor: -ing looks back at the deed, to looks forward at the task.
Source
Section titled “Source”English Grammar in Use, Additional Exercises — -ing and to (Units 53–66). Ebot lesson 2026-09-05.