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.
0
votes
0answers
21 views
What is the best choice for ing , to infinitive or ing
the justification given for explaining his action is unbelievable!
the justification given to explain his action is unbelievable!
the justification given, explaining his action is unbelievable!
...
2
votes
2answers
294 views
“consumers choosing to rely” vs. “consumers to choose to rely”
Signals that are related imperfectly to actual quality will mislead those consumers choosing/to choose to rely upon these inaccurate signals.
In the provided context, is choosing and to choose ...
2
votes
1answer
29 views
This period saw them ACCEPT expensive projects and SIGN an agreement
This authoritarian period saw the Maldives accept highly expensive infrastructure projects as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and even sign a free trade agreement with Beijing.
Is the above ...
0
votes
0answers
16 views
commitment to “-ing” vs “infinitive”
Commitment is followed by to infinitive according to cambridge dictionary.
commitment in cambridge dic
Players must make a commitment to play for a full season.
It is also followed by to -ing in ...
1
vote
2answers
21 views
the only thing he does is
Which of these sentences is correct?
the only thing he does is translate a book
the only thing he does is translating a book
1
vote
1answer
47 views
the superlatives/first/second/last/only + noun + to infinitive/V-ing
'Practical English Usage' by Swan says:
Superlatives can be followed by an infinitive structure. The meaning is similar
to an identifying relative clause (see 495).
He's the oldest athlete ...
1
vote
1answer
23 views
What does it mean + to-infinitive / gerund
I always come across with this form "What does it mean+ to-infinitive" . But I don't understand why we use to-infinitive instead of gerund after mean. As far as I know, mean + to-infinitive means "...
1
vote
1answer
21 views
How about using gerund when saying the first-?
In 1993, she became the first African-American woman to receive the Nobel prize in literature.
If recieving is used instead of to receive, how does it sound?
1
vote
1answer
23 views
'Gaining' instead of 'gain' in “while gain nothing for themselves at all”
Individuals sacrifice their own benefits for others while gain nothing for themselves at all.
In this sentence which I composed myself, I feel gain should be changed to gaining, but I cannot explain ...
1
vote
1answer
56 views
Is this grammatically correct - “I miss to swim”
I read this article and here it is mentioned that "I miss to swim" is grammatically incorrect. However, I do not see any issue with it.
Could some language expert please clarify.
5
votes
1answer
29 views
Can I replace “to fish” with “fishing” in the sentence “Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime”?
Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to
fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.
Would you tell me whether I can replace "to fish" with "fishing"?
Give a man a fish, and you ...
2
votes
2answers
24 views
Prefer to vs prefer than
Which one is correct, explain with reasons. 'He prefers to watch hollywood movies because they have good stories' or 'He prefers watching Hollywood movies because they have good stories'.
Please also ...
1
vote
1answer
45 views
To + ing question
I've been having a hard time trying to understand this specific grammar point: the "to + ing" structure. So my question is:
Which sentence is correct?
Work hard to stand out from the crowd.
Or
Work ...
0
votes
2answers
353 views
Gerund or infinitive? “Thank you for letting me know” or “Thank you to let me know”
I'm finishing a letter to a friend by asking the tracking number of a parcel he sent to me. Can I finish my letter with
Thank you for letting me know the tracking number
OR
Thank you to let me ...
0
votes
1answer
45 views
What is the correct conjugation of the verb fill in this sentence? Could you please explain grammar in this sentence?
A) Inflation is once again a major concern, violent crimes is on the rise, cases of corruption filling the press, healthcare in precarious state, insfrastructure projet not materialized and street ...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Which is the correct form and under what topic does this fall? [closed]
1) I stand before the court requesting that ...
2) I stand before the court to request that ...
Is only #2 correct? Are both correct? And why?
1
vote
1answer
36 views
Complements: -ing form or infinitives
Not sure if this was already discussed, but I am confused about the use of -ing form/infinitives as complements. I've found in several threads in Stack Exchange that the verb "to be" has to be ...
1
vote
1answer
156 views
prefer doing vs prefer to do
Just saw this: "prefer ~ing" / "prefer to infinitive"
and I am wondering if there are any differences between "prefer doing" and "prefer to do".
I have read a book about grammar ...
0
votes
1answer
66 views
“Boring”: gerund or to-infinitive?
I came across this the other day, but found this strange:
It is never boring going into space. You get to experience...
Should it be:
It is never boring to go into space? You get to experience.....
1
vote
1answer
54 views
What's the difference in meaning between “talking about this” vs. “to talk about this”?
I think
It makes me feel nervous talking about this.
means talking about that topic is making the speaker feel nervous while
It makes me feel nervous to talk about this.
means if they ...
0
votes
1answer
37 views
Why in some situations comes ing?
In the following sentence:
The governor's assistant claimed to have unique psychic abilities
enabling him to read people's minds.
How can we know to use a verb with ing form? Like "enabling" in ...
0
votes
0answers
42 views
The infinitive and the gerund in the sentence “He didn't hear me say/ing that.” [duplicate]
Someone who are not a native English speaker wrote me about someone
"He didn't hear me say that."
My question is if it is a mistake, because I am a not native English speaker too, but I would say ...
1
vote
2answers
728 views
The difference between “go to shop” and “ go shopping”
I've been stuck thinking this for a while. Would anyone explain me the difference between "go to shop" and "go shopping".
0
votes
2answers
89 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, ...
0
votes
0answers
38 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
votes
1answer
67 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
64 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 ...
0
votes
3answers
82 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
44 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
54 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
votes
2answers
216 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
493 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
votes
1answer
64 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
33 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
52 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
44 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
421 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
686 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
293 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
150 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
753 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
102 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
39 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
89 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
47 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.
...
0
votes
1answer
41 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
votes
1answer
294 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!
3
votes
2answers
158 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
37 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
564 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 ...
