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.
320
questions
0
votes
1answer
41 views
'end up to find' or “end up finding”? Gerund vs Infinitive?
What is the reason for using "finding" in this sentence and not "to find"?
"These newcomers often end up not (to find)/(finding) the opportunities they are looking for."
1
vote
1answer
29 views
Feel comfortable to do or doing
I come across some opinions of native English speakers that "I don't feel comfortable to do something" is not idiomatic and should be replaced with "I don't feel comfortable doing ...
0
votes
1answer
29 views
“You must not forget … (turn) off your stove, it's very dangerous.”
I saw this fill in the blanks question on my practice book and it left me confused
You must not forget ..... (turn) off your stove, it's very dangerous.
For the book, answer is to turn. My answer ...
3
votes
1answer
100 views
“to find a friend to practice speaking with“ or ”finding a friend to practice speaking with"?
In the following conversation:
--- Did you have any problems in your English study?
--- Yes, _____ a friend to practice speaking with.
Is it correct to fill in the blank with "to find” Or "...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
Extend vs Extending
We are also working with our customers as they make changes, including in sectors that are difficult to decarbonize, such as aviation, shipping, road freight, and industry. We will contribute to '...
1
vote
0answers
15 views
Watching or to watch. Which one is correct in these two sentences? [duplicate]
Is it ok to say:
Then, I started watching an episode of...
or should I say
Then, I started to watch an episode of...
Which one is correct or are both correct? Can you explain me what's the ...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
What I hope for is to V/Ving
I'd like to know "what someone hopes for is" should be followed by a to-infinitive or a gerund:
What Peter hopes for is to buy/buying a sports car.
0
votes
1answer
23 views
“started to get”, “started getting” or “started to getting” - which is correct?
From that point things started to get complicated.
From that point things started getting complicated.
From that point things started to getting complicated.
Which of these sentences would be correct,...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
Except + infinitive or gerund
This has done nothing except______ an already delicate situation.
a) to inflame
b) inflaming
c) inflame
Which one is correct?
1
vote
1answer
42 views
“To solve” vs “For solving”: what is the difference? [duplicate]
What are the differences between:
An algorithm to solve optimization problems
and
An algorithm for solving optimization problems
I think only the second one is correct but I can’t explain why the ...
-1
votes
1answer
39 views
Using infinitive instead of gerund?
Are these sentences have a difference with meaning, tense or etc. between each other:
Playing is easy.
To play is easy.
and
They need getting up early.
They need to get up early.
1
vote
0answers
19 views
There are some benefits to have/having an experience
Can you help me with this rule?
I have no idea about its name (maybe gerund?).
But Word offers me to change "have" to "having".
Why should (or shouldn't) I do it here?:
There are ...
0
votes
1answer
17 views
What + sb + verb + [be (in the appropriate tense)] is followed by to + infinitive or a gerund?
When we have a sentence of the form: What + sb + verb + [be (in the appropriate tense)] + ... (for instance, what I like is ...), which rules do we have to apply to determine whether the sentence is ...
0
votes
0answers
15 views
infinitive or present continuous: (five to come)
Scenario 1
Suppose that a customer has ordered some things online. He is now in your store to pick them up. The order has 100 boxes of cookies. Then, you check his order form and get them for him. ...
0
votes
0answers
4 views
Can I use a gerund after “having”?
The sentence I'm having trouble with is:
Show the class how to perform the activity by having one student act as the giver and you acting as the receiver.
Should it be "you act as the receiver&...
1
vote
1answer
56 views
“Start to feel better” vs. “Start feeling better”
Which is correct?
He will enjoy this when he starts to feel better.
Or
He will enjoy this when he starts feeling better.
0
votes
1answer
19 views
like somebody TO do something VS like somebody doING something
I’m studying Complex Object with the verbs of desire. “Like” is one of them.
And it seems to me that this structure isn’t widely used at least in American English today.
e.g I like her to sing
I feel ...
0
votes
2answers
53 views
“Get around to” + infinitive/gerund?
I came across these sentences;
I barely got around to listen to all of them lately.
I didn't get around to posting on instagram.
The second sentence is correct since Get around to takes the ...
1
vote
0answers
29 views
“To pay slightly more is…” vs “Paying slightly more is…”
Could I say both of the sentences below?
To pay slightly more is a necessary evil for motorists...
vs
Paying slightly more is a necessary evil for motorists...
When should I use infinite and when ...
0
votes
3answers
156 views
Which one is more common: “allow to reduce” or “allow reducing”?
Activation allows (to reduce/ reducing) the temperature of the process.
I found that "reducing" can be used after "allow". Moreover, we can write "to reduce" after "...
0
votes
2answers
73 views
Why is the first case “to reducing” and the second one “to reduce”? Is it correct? [duplicate]
Why is the first case to reducing and the second one to reduce? Is it correct?
During this time, she studied an environmental management system with an innovative approach to reducing pollution in an ...
0
votes
2answers
30 views
Is it to solve or to solving here?
I am not sure which one works better in this context: to solve or to solving?
...The scholarship in this master's program is a chance for Dania to learn techniques, unexplored in India, designed to ...
0
votes
0answers
399 views
I miss doing this or I miss to do this? [duplicate]
Is it correct to say
I miss doing this
I miss traveling a lot
OR
I miss to do this
I miss to travel?
0
votes
1answer
24 views
Is there any difference between to be late and being late in complex object?
He doesn’t like us to be late for work.
He doesn't like us being late for work.
Is there any difference in meaning between the two?
I know that there is a big difference in meaning between:
I saw ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
adjective + to + verb vs adjective + verb+ing
I practice to improve my writting skills. I just learned the following:
after adjective we use to + verb.
For example,
These students are difficult to teach.
However, I am confused about the following ...
1
vote
2answers
63 views
Difference between “on my way to be 25” and “on my way to being 25”
Set 1:
China is close to be the centre of world trade.
China is close to being the centre of world trade.
Set 2:
I am on my way to be 25.
I am on my way to being 25
Which is the correct form, ...
1
vote
1answer
18 views
Infinitive and Gerund Difference in usage
1). She refused to pay the penalty.
2). She refused paying the penalty
What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences??
0
votes
0answers
21 views
Differences between to get up and getting up [duplicate]
What's the difference between
Kids hate getting up early in the morning.
and
Kids hate to get up early in the morning.
0
votes
1answer
63 views
Infinitive vs Gerund Usage differences [duplicate]
1). I have no choice but to run away.
2). I have no choice but running away.
Which one is correct and Why ? If both are correct, What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences?
1
vote
0answers
28 views
PRONOUND PLUS 'TO +VERB“ OR ”PREPOSITION +VERB-ING
I know it this sentence is wrong but i need an explanation.
RIGHT : I hope you would help me in letting him understand.
WRONG: I hope you would help me to let him understand.
RIGHT: Adults should ...
2
votes
2answers
100 views
In the sentence “I watched the balloon rise”, “rise” is in what verb tense? And why?
I watched the balloon rise.
I understand that "rise" in this sentence is not in the 3rd person, because otherwise it would have "s" and it doesn't.
Is it infinitive? The why not &...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
These two sentences have same meaning?
I wonder if 'to be' - to infinitive and 'being' are interchangeable in these sentences below.
To be an engineer looked good.
Being an engineer looked good.
Do these sentences have the same meaning ...
0
votes
1answer
22 views
Correct use of passive and active gerund
Please consider the question from a grammar test.
I don't mind ______ that I'm wrong.
being told
telling
to tell
to be told
The test says (1) option is correct. My point is that both (1) and (2) ...
3
votes
2answers
400 views
“Spending more time TRYING…” and “Spending more time TO TRY…”
Is there any difference in meaning between "Spending more time trying to....." and "Spending more time to try to....."?
Below is the headline of an online news article I just read ...
0
votes
0answers
12 views
Usually prefer to protect vs. Usually prefer protecting? [duplicate]
Are any of these incorrect?
Judges usually prefer to protect government agencies.
Judges usually prefer protecting government agencies.
Could anyone also help explain the difference if there is any? ...
0
votes
0answers
25 views
Gerund or infinitive? What should I choose?
Which one do I need to choose in this case?
You can use these words TALKING with members of your family.
OR
You can use these words TO TALK with members of your family.
1
vote
1answer
26 views
'It's great fun to play with somebody.' vs 'It's great fun playing with somebody.' [duplicate]
I wonder if anyone here can help: 'It's great fun to play with him' and 'It's great fun playing with him'. Are they both correct? I feel the second one sounds more natural, but how about the first one?...
1
vote
1answer
29 views
Active and passive voice usage for gerunds and infinitives
I saw him go.
What is the passive voice of this?
My book is saying:
He was seen to go by me.
Why can’t it be :
He was seen going by me.
0
votes
1answer
32 views
“to stop is important” or “stopping is important”?
Do the sentences below sound normal to native speakers?
To stop him now is important.
Stopping him now is important.
To argue is useless.
Arguing is useless.
To help these people is ...
0
votes
1answer
50 views
Infinitive and geund differences in usage
1) It started to rain.
2) It started raining
My grammar book said both are correct and both have almost same meaning. What are the nuances in their meanings?
0
votes
2answers
44 views
Gerunds and Infinitives difference
1)His dream is to have a big house.
2)His dream is having a big house
Are both the sentences correct? If yes, What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences?
0
votes
0answers
19 views
Verb+ing and to+Verb as subjects
1)Playing basketball for UConn is her favorite fantasy.
2)To play basketball for UConn is her favorite fantasy.
Are both sentences correct? If yes, what is the difference in meaning between them?...
0
votes
0answers
4 views
Gerund and Infinitive usage differenced [duplicate]
1)I started speaking.
2)I started to speak.
What is the difference in meaning of these two sentences
1
vote
0answers
26 views
gerund and infinitive differences
1)Nobody likes being cheated
2)Nobody likes to be cheated
Are both sentences correct? If yes, what is the difference in meaning of the two sentences?
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Gerund, infinitive or root form
“Once you crossed the whole camp on foot, asking for a glass of water is not a surprise”.
I used the gerund (asking) because it sounds to me like the correct form in this case, once I couldn’t find ...
2
votes
3answers
231 views
infinitive and gerund
which of the below given two sentences is correct? If both are correct, what is the difference in meaning between them?
1)She was heard to sing a song by them.
2)She was heard singing a song
0
votes
1answer
409 views
To hear(infinitive) vs to hearing (gerund)
Why this sentence
I look forward to hearing from you (gerund)
is correct instead of
I look forward to hear from you (infinitive)
0
votes
2answers
41 views
Gerund vs infinitive while asking question
Which one should I use gerund or infinitive while asking a questin like below?
Which one does it cost more , to repair it or to buy new one ?
Which one does cost more ,repairing it or buying ...
0
votes
1answer
49 views
gerunds or infinitive with these verbs
Could someone please tell me what it's wrong to use the infinitive instead the gerund in these examples? Why Can't I do this? To me is sounds better with the infinitive.
"Thieves broke into the ...
-1
votes
1answer
21 views
Gerund and infinitive dispfference
1)I don’t remember of meeting you in kashmir last year.
2)I don’t remember meeting you in kashmir last year.
3)I don’t remember to have met you in kashmir last year
Which of the three ...
