0
Marold Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Sorry - for having kept, to have kept

"I am sorry to have kept you waiting."

"I am sorry for having kept you waiting."

What are the differences between a perfect infinitive form and perfect ing-form?

Thank you very much.
  

Top answer

Hello Marold, what you need to look at is to and for. When you use to then the verb should be in the infinitive form. When you use for then it should be in the ing form.

— Jerseyjoe

  • Hello Marold, what you need to look at is to and for.
  • When you use to then the verb should be in the infinitive form.
  • When you use for then it should be in the ing form.
  • For example: to buy for buying.
  • The exceptions to this rule are the phrases looking forward to / used to / given any thought to I hope this helps you.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
Hello Marold, what you need to look at is to and for. When you use to then the verb should be in the infinitive form. When you use for then it should be in the ing form. For example: to buy for buying. The exceptions to this rule are the phrases looking forward to / used to / given any thought to I hope this helps you.
0
0
Marolddifferences
I sense no difference in meaning. The difference is in style, and different people have different opinions on that matter.

Personally, I think 'sorry to have kept' is a little more elegant in style. 'sorry for having kept' seems less "clean" in style (to my ear). Maybe I just like sentences to have fewer syllables.

CJ
0
0
Thank you both very much, I appreciate it Emotion: wink
0

Related Questions