Questions tagged [infinitive-vs-gerund]
For questions about the difference in meaning or grammaticality between using a gerund or an infinitive in a particular context.
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2answers
50 views
Suggest + gerund or not that is the question
As I understand the B1/B2 grammar book by Raymond Murphy, the 19 verbs (I know this list by heart now)
enjoy, mind, suggest, stop, postpone, admit, avoid, deny, fancy, risk, imagine, consider, ...
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0answers
27 views
Is there a difference in meaning between I like to + verb + something and I like verb + ing + something? [duplicate]
Ok, I never thought about this before, I always thought it was the same. I got the idea from the japanese SE that translating something as I like to + verb + something is different thant I like verb +...
2
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1answer
57 views
Is the sentence 'What I need is to do/doing the things I like.' grammatically correct?
There is a task in Oxford English Grammar (Basic) by Michael Swan and Catherine Walter that goes as follows: Write a sentence beginning 'What I need is...' Which made me think of which is more ...
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0answers
94 views
It is needed to + infinitive
I've sometimes seen the expression "It is needed to do something". I am not sure whether it is common or at least right, but I usually prefer using "doing something is needed". Also, for transitive ...
0
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1answer
24 views
Which one to use in an enumeration, to-infinitives, bare infinitives, or gerunds?
I am writing a summary paper about a report I read with this sentence in it:
This report follows two steps: determine the population density increase and analyze the productivity growth influenced ...
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3answers
38 views
'Tempted to do' or 'tempted of doing'
I know that following expression is valid:
I was tempted to do it.
For the context purpose, is the expression below valid as well?
I was tempted of doing it.
1
vote
1answer
35 views
Is the gerund being used in a proper way: “His job is driving a cab.”
I am not sure if the following sentence is grammatically correct.
His job is driving a cab.
I believe the gerund cannot be used in this way. Am I right?
Would it mean the same to say? His job is ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
It is + adjective + doing
It is no use crying.
It is expensive running this car.
It is a waste of time doing this.
Why we have this pattern of sentence construction? I more often meet with some sentences have ...
2
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2answers
84 views
Why is it v-ing after looking forward to?
I took an English grammar test and one question was:
Chen's looking forward ... his new job next week.
There were four choices: to starting / to start / starting / in starting.
My answer was "to ...
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2answers
145 views
See him leave/leaving
I have a question about the difference between the following two sentences:
He might be punished if he is seen leaving the campus.
He might be punished if he is seen to leave the campus.
Do ...
0
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0answers
16 views
use of gerund after 'enjoy' [duplicate]
Look at this sentence below. We need to find if any part of the sentence is wrong
The cruel giant enjoyed/to persecute the boys/who lived near his
home.
First I thought that this is a correct ...
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1answer
51 views
Your invoice has been modified [to reflect vs reflecting in] the change to this month's order. Which is correct? [duplicate]
I'm wondering how to select between "to infinitive or -ing" in sentence properly.
Your invoice has been modified [to reflect vs reflecting in] the change to this month's order
In this sentence, ...
1
vote
1answer
26 views
after retired or after retiring or after retirement?
I am preparing a speech about the life after retire. But not sure which one is correct below.
After retire, I want to be a happy person.
After retirement, I want to be a happy person.
...
1
vote
1answer
45 views
it is (of) no use V-ing / to V
I was told that "it is no use" is followed by a gerund, not an infinitive in current English. What about the "it is of no use"? Does it pattern in the same way?
Consider the following:
It is no use ...
2
votes
2answers
39 views
“To book” or “to booking”?
I had a debate with my friend (English is not our mother tongue) because I found this phrase bit wierd.
We were almost close to booking tickets to London.
I thought using 'almost' and 'close' ...
3
votes
5answers
213 views
“Don't go breaking my heart” versus “Don't go break my heart”
What is the difference between:
Don't go breaking my heart
and
Don't go break my heart
I can only think "breaking" to me might be speaking to a pattern of behavior - and so the ongoing ...
0
votes
1answer
331 views
“spend money -ing” or “spend money to”
I learned that verb spend followed by time or money usually go along with -ing form (with or without preposition on or in).
However, I found a sentence in TOEFL : the university should spend money ...
1
vote
1answer
102 views
Difficult to watch vs difficult in watching
I know Argentina is a great team but I am sure even Argentina fans found it difficult to watch their defenders defend yesterday.
Vs
I know Argentina is a great team but I am sure even Argentina ...
2
votes
1answer
101 views
I started to wear or I started wearing reading glasses
When someone has just asked you about your reading glass. Can you say:
I started wearing my reading glasses when I was 9.
I started to wear my reading glasses when I was 9.
You are saying ...
4
votes
1answer
87 views
What are the differences between “sorry to keep you waiting” and “sorry for keeping you waiting.”?
What are the differences between "sorry to keep you waiting" and "sorry for keeping you waiting"?
It seems that a lot of native speakers do not distinguish "sorry to do" and "sorry for doing".
But ...
0
votes
2answers
97 views
negation of “the need”
What is the negation of the below phrase?
The need for tester programming
Is the below phrase true?
Not the need for tester programming
What about below phrases?
not needing to tester ...
3
votes
1answer
34 views
Going out is more interesting than GOING / TO GO with your family
I wonder which form suits this sentence:
Going out with your friends is more interesting than to go with your family!
Going out with your friends is more interesting than going with your ...
1
vote
1answer
81 views
General Infinitive vs Gerund usage
Is there a general rule telling me when I should use an Infinitive or a Gerund?
For example, why is in this sentence a Gerund instead of an Infinitive?
"The aim of this report is to give ...
0
votes
1answer
36 views
How do I know when to use V+to+present simple, v+ gerund, or v+to+gerund?
How do I know when to use V+to+present simple, v+ gerund, or v+to+gerund?
I look forward seeing you.
I look forward to see you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
I look forward to hear from you.
...
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0answers
42 views
“is read & note” other than “is to read & (to) note” or “is reading & noting”?
But there are lots of fixed phrases, and so what you want to do is just read a lot and note when one is used and when the other is used.
The resource is an essay teaching "under", "below" & "...
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0answers
15 views
difference in meaning between “to be needed” and “being needed”
Is there any difference in meaning or nuances in the two sentences below?
It feels good to be needed.
It feels good being needed.
I think that it acts as a placeholder, to be needed and being needed ...
0
votes
1answer
36 views
About “ allow ” usage
I was practicing with a key word transformation exercise , and I had troubles with the following sentence :
Is it possible to smoke in this room?
The word given is " allow " .
Is ...
0
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1answer
187 views
Use of “to be joining”
I'm studying English and I've read this sentence:
I'm very happy to be joining this team
Why is it possible to use "to be joining"?
Thanks!
5
votes
2answers
120 views
Difference between infinitive phrase and gerund phrase as subject
What's the difference in meaning between these two sentences:
To find fault with others is easy.
Finding fault with others is easy.
Also more generally, what's the difference between ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
“To be good” or “being good” as subject
I was doing an exercise where I had to cross out the incorrect forms:
Being / To be / Be good is easy; what is difficult is being / to be / be just.
(Victor Hugo)
In both cases I chose To be, ...
2
votes
1answer
333 views
“I am to blame for not getting the project” vs “I am to blame to not get the project”?
The question is about a situation where I was wrong and made a mistake when a meeting happened, and thus we couldn't get the project.
"I am to blame for not getting the project"
Is that the ...
1
vote
1answer
38 views
Gerund vs infinitive dilemma : “an innate passion to { light / lighting } a fire”
I have to start a sentence where I cannot figure out exactly if gerund or infinitive is to be used:
They say humans have an innate passion to light a fire.
Does that sound correct, or it would be ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
Gerund and infinitives issue
I am confused about the use of "to + infinitive" and "to + 'gerund' "
Eg.
1 Yesterday I went to study.
2 Yesterday I went to studying.
Is either incorrect or less preferable?
2
votes
1answer
12 views
“leave many [N] to look for…” vs. “leave many [N] looking for…”
SAT Grammar Question
Others, like court interpreter Ludmila Baker, believe that technology will ultimately leave many translators and interpreters _______ for new careers.
a) to look
b) ...
1
vote
1answer
56 views
Should objective complement be Infinitive or Gerund
Somewhere in a book,I saw this line - "I saw him go" which I find stilted because I feel notion for line "I saw him going".
On little dwelling,I found that this is case of incomplete predication and ...
-1
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2answers
21 views
Could I use “giving” instead of “to give” in “to give the example of Minnesota, you would probably pay only half of that” ?
Can I say
..., giving the example of Minnesota
instead of "... to give the example of Minnesota"?
What is the difference in meaning between "giving" and "to give"? My guess is that "giving" ...
2
votes
1answer
66 views
to infinitive vs gerund, which one is more widely used in SPOKEN language?
A man and a woman is sitting on the bench, and the guy asks her,
"You like being here with me too, right?"
"You like to be here with me too, right?"
which one is more natural and widely used ...
0
votes
2answers
491 views
get introduced vs getting introduced
What is difference between "get introduced" and "getting introduced"?
Is "getting introduced" some form of perfect participle?
e.g.
When first getting introduced, make sure to make direct eye contact.....
2
votes
1answer
374 views
Every Verb can be gerund or infinitive
There are three things but they are all related to each other.
1)-Is every verb allowed to use as a gerund or infinitive? If a verb has the first form and participle form, it means it can be used as ...
3
votes
2answers
380 views
Is a hammer used “for driving in” nails, or “to drive in” nails?
Expressing the function of a thing requires "for doing":
A hammer is for driving in nails.
Expressing the intention of a person requires "to do":
I need a hammer to drive in those nails.
If ...
1
vote
1answer
103 views
Should I use 'infintive' or 'gerund' after pronouns?
Her father opposed to her marrying a foreigner
In the above sentence it's used a gerund 'marrying' after the pronoun 'her'. What if I use a infinitive verb instead of using a 'gerund' as;
Her ...
0
votes
3answers
3k views
gerund or infinitive after the verb “to go”
I know that when the activity is outdoors and done especially in your free time, we should use the ing ending after the verb to go, Example: I go swimming every morning....or they go running every ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Is “He has gone for playing cricket” correct?
"He has gone to play."
"He has gone for playing cricket."
The first sentence is correct. Please explain if the 2nd one is right?
If so, then why? If not, then why not?
2
votes
2answers
2k views
The usage of “looking forward to”
In a book called Collins English Conversation p.265 there is an example:
I was looking forward to have a rest.
My question is about whether we should use "looking forward to have a rest" or "...
0
votes
1answer
674 views
Gerund vs Infinitive Form
I learnt that after a preposition, the rule is that the gerund form of the verb is used (instead of the infinitive form), as in "Thank you for coming".
In this sentence:
They joined forces to fight ...
1
vote
1answer
108 views
considerably improve and update or considerably improving and updatating
I'm trying to write a motivation letter and I'm having doubts when writing a couple of sentences using ing termination or not.
To enroll in this course will allow me to pursue my career goal of ...
1
vote
2answers
178 views
Difference between using the infinitive form and the gerund form
difference between
"We don't want everybody to know about it."
and
"We don't want everybody knowing about it."
0
votes
1answer
57 views
“Trouble to pronounce words” or “trouble pronouncing words”
Do these sentences have exactly the same meaning?
Young children often have trouble to pronounce words right.
Young children often have trouble pronouncing words right.
I can't understand the ...
0
votes
1answer
454 views
I am too tired ____ out. Besides, I have to wake up early morning. The correct answer is “going”. Why?
I tried some online tests just now:
I am too tired _______ out. Besides, I have to wake up early morning.
I chose 'to go'. However, it turned out that I was wrong, according to the test maker. The ...
4
votes
3answers
910 views
it ~ to vs it ~ ing
When I first learned English, I was taught to use only "it ~ to" form as opposed to "it ~ ing" form, so I always thought the latter one is not grammatical.
But I heard a lot of native speakers ...
