A. When these expressions are followed by a verb, the verb ends in ~ing:
It's no use .../It's no good ...: * There's nothing you can do about the situation, so it's no use worrying about it. * It's no good trying to persuade me. You won't succeed.
There's no point in ...: * There's no point in having a car if you never use it. * There was no point in waiting any longer, so we went.
It's (not) worth ...: * I live only a short walk from here, so it's not worth taking a taxi. * It was so late when we got home, it wasn't worth going to bed.
You can say 'a film is worth seeing', 'a book is worth reading', etc. * What was the film like? Was it worth seeing? * I don't think newspapers are worth reading.
B. (Have) difficulty ~ing
We say 'have difficulty doing something' (not 'to do'): * I had difficulty finding a place to live. (not 'I had difficulty to find') * Did you have any difficulty getting a visa? * People often have great difficulty reading my writing.
We usually say 'have difficulty' (not 'have difficulties'): * I'm sure you'll have no difficulty passing the exam. (not 'have no difficulties')
C. We use ~ing after:
a waste of money .../a waste of time ... (to ... is also possible): * It was a waste of time reading that book. It was rubbish. * It's a waste of money buying things you don't need.
spend/waste (time) ... * He spent hours trying to repair the clock. * I waste a lot of time daydreaming.
(be) busy ...: * She said she couldn't see me. She was too busy doing other things.
D. Go swimming/go fishing etc.
We use go ~ing for a number of activities (especially sports). For example, you can say:
go swimming/go sailing/go fishing/go climbing/go skiing/go jogging etc.
also: go shopping/go sightseeing. * I'd like to go skiing. * When did you last go shopping? * I've never been sailing.
You can also say 'come swimming/come skiing' etc.: * Why don't you come swimming with us?
Exercise 1:
Complete the sentences on the right.
1. If you need help, why don't you ask Tom? It's no use ---------. He won't be able to help us. 2. I don't really want to go out tonight. Well, stay at home! There's no point --------- if you don't want to. 3. Shall I phone Ann now? No, it's no good -----------. She won't be at home. 4. Are you going to complain about what happened? No, it's not worth -----------. Nobody will do anything about it. 5. Do you ever read newspapers? No. I think it's a waste ------------------.
Exercise 2:
62.2 Make sentences with worth ~ing or not worth ~ing. Choose one of these verbs:
consider keep read repair see visit
1. The film isn't very good. _It's not worth seeing._ 2. It would cost too much to repair this watch. It's not worth --- 3. If you have time, you should go to the museum. It's worth --- 4. It's quite an interesting suggestion --- 5. There's an interesting article in the paper today. --- 6. We can throw these old clothes away. They ---
62.3 Make sentences beginning There's no point... .
1. Why have a car if you never use it? There's no point in having a car if you never use it. 2. Don't eat if you're not hungry. There's no --- 3. Why work if you don't need money? 4. Don't study if you feet tired.
62.4 Write sentences using difficulty.
1. I managed to get a visa but it was difficult. _I had difficulty getting a visa._ 2. I can't remember people's names. I have difficulty --- 3. Lucy managed to get a job without difficulty. She had no --- 4. Do you find it difficult to understand him? Do you have --- 5. It won't be difficult to get a ticket for the concert. You won't have any ---
62.5 Complete the sentences. Use only one word each time.
1. It's a waste of money buying things you don't need. 2. Every morning I spend about an hour --- the newspaper. 3. 'What's Carol doing?' 'She's busy --- letters.' 4. I think you waste too much time --- television. 5. There's a beautiful view from that hill. It is worth --- to the top.
62.6 Complete these sentences with one of the following (with the verb in the correct form):
go skiing go shopping go swimming go sailing go riding
1. Barry lives by the sea and he's got a boat, so he often _goes sailing._ 2. There's plenty of snow in the mountains so we'll be able to --- 3. It was a very hot day, so we --- in the river. 4. Margaret has got two horses. She often --- 5. The shops are shut now. It's too late to ---
Francis: Where have you been? Paula: I went shopping with my friends. Francis: You always go shopping! When was the last time you went shopping? Paula: Last weekend! That was 5 days ago! Francis: I know. But please, can you spend your money wisely? Paula: I was trying my best not to spend too much. Francis: Ok. Next time, you make a schedule of your shopping habit.
1. What are your hobbies? 2. Do you think hobbies can affect your lifestyle? Why/why not? 3. Do you think you should change one of your hobbies? Why?
